Summersdale Neighbourhood Character Appraisal - Archeology

Archaeology

The archaeological features of Summersdale reflect the history of Chichester
as a settlement in Roman times and earlier. The main features which fall
inside this area include several stretches of the Chichester Entrenchments, a
series of linear earthworks with ramparts and single ditches, which stretch
along the coastal plain of West Sussex. Other earthworks or entrenchments
nearby show each stretch to be part of a large defensive complex thought by
some to date from Roman times, but at Devil’s Dyke to the north west they
appear to have been constructed in the Late Iron Age between 100BC and
the Roman invasion of 43AD, but conclusive evidence is lacking.

Notable examples in Summersdale can be seen in Brandy Hole Copse and a
north-south stretch running through and beyond the grounds of
Graylingwell, both of which are Scheduled Monuments.

Analysis of historic maps shows that the principal alignment of the built
landscape and indeed the Summersdale Estate is derived from the extended
north-south and east-west alignments of the Iron Age dykes across the
area, and subsequent field patterns.

The main Roman road north from Chichester to Silchester in Hampshire runs
through Summersdale along the western boundaries of the properties which
front onto the west side of Broyle Road, although the line is not absolutely
definite. Possible side ditches of the road have been noted in several places.

In Gardiner’s map of 1772, Warren Farm was crossed diagonally SE to NW
by a track which entered a few yards west of the junction of Brandy Hole
Lane and the Lavant Road, across Mid-Lavant Common to Devil’s Dyke. The
1977 1/1250 OS map attributed the track to Roman origins, but trial
trenching in 1987 by the CDC Archaeological Unit found only gravel and no
other features. The probability is that the Roman road tracked the direction
of the nearest line feature, the entrenchment to the east of it, thereby
adding credence to the earthworks originating in the Iron Age.

Description of the Area
Overview

Charles Stride created the historic elements of Summersdale in the late
1890s with the Summersdale Estate of just four new roads — The Avenue,
Highland Road, The Broadway, and Summersdale Road. The Lavant Road
bordered his land to the west, The Drive bordered his land to the north.
Development along all of these roads began at much the same time, in
the very early 1900s. Until the middle of the 20”" Century they were little
more than gravel tracks, but most were tree-lined.

The Avenue linked Summersdale Farm with Lavant Road and Warren Farm
to the west. Summersdale Road ran north/south, linking the Barracks and
Graylingwell Hospital with The Broadway, Highland Road and The Avenue.
At its northern end, the road became The Drive, encircling the estate and
joining the Lavant Road at the northern entrance to the City (see map of
the area).

Brandy Hole Lane forms a very important graded edge to the City. It was
the southern boundary of Warren Farm, and existed as a tree-lined
country lane before the creation of the Summersdale Estate. It is semi-
rural in nature and appearance, with development along its northern edge
starting in the 1920s. Rew Lane, to the north of The Drive, was developed
in the grounds of Woodland Place in the 1950s.

The northern entrance to the City along the Lavant Road is an important
introduction to the City and its Conservation Area, a fine first impression
and a significant contribution to sense of place of both Summersdale and
the City as a whole. The urban matrix along the road is one of rural to
urban transition, with a denser morphology as one moves towards the
City.

The NE Chichester Development Brief recognised Summersdale as an
important green link and gateway into the City from north of the Downs.
It offers an attractive and uncluttered route from Lavant to the City
centre. It is a place with its own identity, yet within walking distance of
the centre.