About The Clapham Society
We are a charitable organisation, founded in 1963, funded by membership subscriptions and donations, and run entirely by volunteers.
The Society is a member of the London Forum of Civic and Amenity Societies.
Registered charity number No. 279595
Our Aims
To improve the quality of life in Clapham and strengthen its sense of identity and community.
To promote excellence in new developments at the same time as conserving the best features of the past.
To help Clapham to be an attractive, exciting and safe place to live, with job opportunities, and good shopping and leisure amenities.
Our Activities
- We fight to protect the special character of Clapham, its conservation areas and buildings of historic and architectural interest.
- We are consulted on current planning and development proposals and, if necessary, present evidence to formal planning enquiries.
- We run a programme of events including talks on local and wider London topics, and walks around Clapham which focus on new developments as well as local history.
- We produce a regular newsletter giving information and opinions on current and impending issues and events.
- We foster and maintain constructive relationships with Lambeth councillors and officers in order to present effectively the views of the Society and its members.
- We publish books about the area and its history and guided walk leaflets. Please click here for details.
Key Areas Of Involvement
Planning
The local authorities have a statutory duty to consult us on planning and licensing matters. Our Planning Sub-committee draws on a wealth of professional expertise and experience to comment on planning applications and developments and to give evidence at public enquiries
Click here to read our objection to the redevelopment of Lambeth College.
The Common
Our Common and Open Spaces Sub-committee is dedicated to securing the future of Clapham’s most precious asset. It advises on its maintenance and improvement for sport and wildlife and on the preservation of its character. We have developed a Code of Practice which seeks to improve the management of events on the Common and to ban those of an inappropriate scale or nature
Click here to read our objection to the proposed Festival Republic event on the Common in 2024.
Roads and Transport
We campaign for safer streets, especially for pedestrians; sustainable planting to soften the urban landscape; and public transport improvements serving this locality.
Local History
We have an active Local History Group who research how the area has developed through time and the intriguing legacy of some of its past residents. They contribute to the Society’s programme of meetings, conducting walks and issuing publications.
Join The Clapham Society…..
…..if you are interested in Clapham, its community, its businesses, its amenities and its buildings and are concerned to protect and enhance its character. We depend on our members’ wide range of skills and experience, as well as their moral and financial support. We rely entirely on members’ subscriptions and donations to pay for the newsletter and our administrative expenses
Please complete the Application for Membership
…and send it to the Membership Secretary at the address on the contact page
Donations and Membership Payments
Clapham Society Bank Details can be found on the Application for Membership page