To the south of Westgate were fields and meadows, until the construction of Chichester College in the 1960s. Much of the land belonged to the Dean, and in the 12th century, when he desired to open “a way from his garden to his land and orchards between the wall and the river Lavant”, he had to obtain a licence from the king to make a postern gate. This gate, which can be dated between 1178–1180, is clearly recognisable in the Deanery Garden.
Category: Environment
Trees, the river, roads, bikes, what surrounds us
Chichester Road Space Audit of 2017
The County Council’s consultation on their audit of the road space in Chichester has now closed; we hope you were able to find the time to send in your personal response. The Committee also considered its position and the Chairman has sent in the following letter to the County Council:
Inventory of the Brewery Field Trees
There was some disquiet recently to see that the rather sculptural but dead tree on the Western edge of the field had been felled. The Brewery Field is now in the Chichester Conservation Area and so all the trees are protected and none may be removed without planning permission. This particular tree was removed for safety reasons.
Hidden Westgate Histories 4: The Westgate Lavant
Most residents are familiar with our winterbourne, the River Lavant. Winterbourne because it is a seasonal stream that comes down from the Downs, filtered out of the chalk after the Winter rains.
Continue reading Hidden Westgate Histories 4: The Westgate Lavant
The Westgate Cycle Path 2016
Re-design Westgate to Accommodate Everyone’s Needs Safely?
The City Council’s Cycle Infrastructure Design Workshop met on 1st October 2016 in St Paul’s Church. Unfortunately this clashed with our monthly Coffee Morning but several residents were able to attend, for which many thanks. By all accounts, some interesting and competent contributors had been brought in from outside but, as there are many conflicting opinions around this issue, the result of the day was inconclusive.
Rules of the TPO (Tree Preservation Order)
Although posted originally in 2016, this post has been retained as it still contains relevant information for residents and other readers.
Westgate’s Landmark Trees (updated)
Originally posted on 12 March 2016, updated on 13 June 2016 and February 2025. With thanks to Brian Hopkins, our tree warden. All tree photos are by the author unless otherwise stated.
The Brewery Field update (Feb 2016)
Following a very successful public meeting at the end of 2015, the three RAs who would benefit most from the use of The Brewery (Henty) Field formed a steering committee to launch a Friends’ group at the request of the City Council. The City and County Councils had made it clear that if this resource was not used sufficiently then it would be taken back by the County Council and perhaps built upon.
Our Mature Trees in 2015
How were our mature trees doing in 2015? A planning application had been made by the County Council to re-pollard the last remaining mature Horse Chestnut on the corner of Parklands Road and Westgate. This was no more than good maintenance, but the description in the application that this tree was now ‘over-mature’ and ‘in decline’ should perhaps have given us pause for thought. This was a really important tree on our street – as indeed is that whole patch of wild grass – and many residents continue to miss its former companions.