Southside - WESTGATE CHICHESTER

The History of 7-9 Westgate

This article concerns Nos 7 and 9 Westgate, which was a whole house previously known as no.4 and then no. 11 Westgate from 1950 – 1987.

The numbering of the houses in Westgate started in about 1900 and it has been a confusing experience for anyone trying to identify which property is which. In the 1901 census, this house is confirmed as 4 Westgate, a numbering which continued until the 1939-45 war. After the war, the whole street was renumbered, with odd numbers to the south side, and the house became no.11 Westgate. It was then divided into two in 1988 and renumbered at the same time as the rest of “The Georgian Priory” development, to become numbers 7 and 9.

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3-9 Westgate as The Georgian Priory

This is a residential development of 11 units originally converted in 1985/6 from the buildings of the old Theological College in Westgate by the Abbey Building Association Ltd. (which became the Abbey National Building Society). It is run by a resident’s management company.

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1-5 Westgate as The Theological College

In 1936 the lease owned by the Church Commissioners for the buildings at the top of Westgate – which included the Coach House and stable yard as well as what is now no. 5 – were let to the Chichester Theological College. This whole block, renamed Marriot House, was used for accommodation with eighteen students and 2 members of staff. There were 20 bedrooms, 4 WCs and 4 bathrooms. The main building for the College was No. 52 Westgate.

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History of old 1 Westgate

The Famous Westgate pinch point looking towards Westgate 1961 – Collection Ken Green

It can be confusing trying to sort out what building belongs where when confronted with the results of the demolitions at the famous pinch point where Westgate used to begin.

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Hidden Westgate Histories 6: The Powell & Moya Bungalows

The eastern end of Westgate seems such a perfect Georgian enclave, yet who would have thought standing in the street today, that Mount Lane has contained iconic 20th century buildings and still has an interior by Eric Gill’s brother?

Powell & Moya architects

Continue reading Hidden Westgate Histories 6: The Powell & Moya Bungalows

History of 3 Westgate

For those of you interested in learning about individual properties on Westgate, we are posting details of the buildings at the conservation end of the Westgate which can be found from various sources. In these articles you can find a list of the properties protected by Historic England listing, details of the renumbering of the street as some records still record the old number, and research on the shape of the street by a resident.

Continue reading History of 3 Westgate

History of 27-39 Westgate, aka Shippam’s (updated)

Originally published in 2016, this article has been considerably improved by the diligent research of Dr Richard Brownfield.

The terrace now numbered 27 to 39 (odds) has had a most complicated history and it has been thought best to present them as an ensemble. The house numbers are therefore printed in bold to assist navigation is you are following the history of a particular properties in this row.

Mount Lane

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History of 1-9 Westgate: The Georgian Priory

This post forms part of an occasional series of contributions from guest authors. This building history by Dr Richard Brownfield was first published in the Chichester Society Newsletter and is here reproduced by permission.

Continue reading History of 1-9 Westgate: The Georgian Priory