'

Summersdale is an attractive area in the north of Chichester. Spacious
and leafy, the character of the area is now under threat with many houses
on large plots at risk of demolition and re-development. It is an historic
suburb with high quality architecture in street scenes that are worthy of
enlightened protection.



This Appraisal, written in conjunction with the Chichester City Planning &
Conservation Committee, was limited to the oldest properties and roads in
the suburb. It describes the history and distinctive visual character of the
neighbourhood, and provides a framework for limited and sensitive
development, while protecting the long established character and heritage
of the area.

A case is made for either an appropriate Conservation policy, or a
comprehensive Local Listing of buildings ‘the character and appearance of
which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’ (PPG15).

It also makes a strong case against demolition, and puts quality well
before quantity in any re-development. There are no current opportunities
for large scale development in the prescribed area and few, if any, for
appropriate infill re-development. The area needs no re-generation per se,
and the local demand for other than established family homes should be
easily absorbed by the large residential developments nearby at
Graylingwell Hospital and the Roussillon Barracks.

***

This appraisal was adopted by Chichester City Council at its meeting on 9
July 2008, and will now go forward as an Annexe to the Chichester Town
Plan Document adopted by the City Council on 7 September 2005.

Summersdale Neighbourhood Character Appraisal
Objectives

Summersdale is a very attractive area of northern Chichester,
immediately north of the City’s Conservation Area. its early buildings are
of late Victorian origin but Edwardian-style architecture and features.
Spacious and leafy, the character of the area is now under threat with
many of the houses, on plots large by today’s standards, at risk of
demolition and re-development. It is an historic suburb, with a coherence
and identity worthy of respect and enlightened protection. It has proved
to be a sustainable and pleasant place in which to live.

The historic core of the suburb, and the focus of this Appraisal, consists of
the four roads in the original Summersdale Estate, The Avenue, Highland
Road, The Broadway and Summersdale Road, together with The Drive,
Lavant Road, Rew Lane and Brandy Hole Lane. in general, the Appraisal
will only concern developments prior to 1970.

To guide future planning applications, the Appraisal sets out the type and
form of development that might be considered acceptable on individual
sites. It has three objectives:

* To describe the distinctive visual character of the neighbourhood, its
surrounding setting and the elements that comprise its built form
and open spaces.

To inform and involve the local community and landowners and to
give them a chance to influence future development of individual
sites; and

To provide a framework for developers who may be interested in
such sites.

The aim of the Appraisal is to act as a material consideration in the
determination of planning applications for re-development of residential
properties, but not to require it to go through the process for adoption as
a Supplementary Planning Document. The weight it might be given at any
Appeal will in the end be judged by how clearly it describes the settlement
character and the design guidance thought necessary to protect its
character. It should be compatible with the statutory planning system and
its local application, but it will be about managing change, not preventing
it.

Random articles of interest

Why build a cellar

cellar image

First, there are no maps in the presentation to hidden tunnels , all information is in the public domain and if we get distracted during our searches that is only natural. 
I will try and make this as interesting as possible and we will not be getting our boots dirty.

Why have a cellar?
Having a cellar was actually quite an expensive and a time consuming affair. Most people didn't. There was no point unless there was something to store or servants to hide. 

Read more: Why build a cellar

Featured in Chichester Observer

Maureen Williams, 82, of Westgate, recalled a school trip into the rumoured tunnels under Chichester when she was at Chichester High School for Girls.

 

She estimates she was in her early teens at the time and said she chose to share her memories after reading about the search for evidence in this newspaper.', '

Read more: Featured in Chichester Observer

Archaeological Evaluation at Lower Graylingwell, Chichester

Archaeological and Historical Background
2.1.1 An Archaeological Desk-based Assessment was produced for the site in 2014 (AMEC 2015),
and a summary of the key findings are reproduced below.
2.1.2 A small Palaeolithic handaxe was found in an evaluation 150m east of the site. There are no
records of Mesolithic finds within 500m of the site.
2.1.3 Early Neolithic pits containing pottery and flintwork were found at Baxendale Avenue some 150m
south of the site, and four small pits, one containing later Neolithic pottery, during evaluation a

Read more: Archaeological Evaluation at Lower Graylingwell, Chichester

Brandy Hole caving session

From trying to locate the areas marked on the old maps as smugglers or roman caves at the approc following locations. Our team tried to take photos as best we could.

 

su 85228 06608 50.8527, -0.7906
su 85255 06596 50.8526, -0.7902
su 85249 06577 50.8524, -0.7903
su 85248 06565 50.8523, -0.7903
su 85329 06661 50.8532, -0.7892
su 85359 06657 50.8531, -0.7887

 

 

whyke lodge

 

 

 

peterborough tunnels

One of the most common questions I’m asked about Peterborough’s history is whether there are any tunnels under the city. Local legends say that there is a tunnel stretching from the Cathedral to Monk’s Cave at Longthorpe. Similar tunnels are alleged to stretch from the Cathedral to the abbeys at Thorney or Crowland.

 

These are familiar myths in many historic cities across the UK, mostly urban legends based on half remembrances of sewers, cellars or crawlspaces, coupled with wishful thinking and rumour.

 

The stories of tunnels from Peterborough to

Read more: peterborough tunnels

White Horse / Prezzo

whitehorse

Max T
I recall that there is a short length of tunnel (blocked off at both ends) under the old White Horse pub in South St. (now Prezzo restaurant, since 2005). Story in the pub was that it was part of a tunnel running from the Cathedral up to the Guildhall in Priory Park. Although the tunnel is there, I was never sure of its true purpose or the truth of its start / finish. Thought that it was worth mentioning it on here though.


Read more: White Horse / Prezzo

Old Barracks / Wellington Grange

Old Barracks / Wellington Grange

Read more: Old Barracks / Wellington Grange

It was under the Crypt and right next to the cathedral

inside buttery

Maureen Williams, 82, of Westgate, recalled a school trip into the rumoured tunnels under Chichester when she was at Chichester High School for Girls.

 

She estimates she was in her early teens at the time and said she chose to share her memories after reading about the search for evidence in this newspaper.

Read more: It was under the Crypt and right next to the cathedral

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