Changing face of Victoria Drive

Homes in the northern section of Victoria Drive from Linden Road to Chichester Road seem to encompass such a diverse range of styles, embracing three centuries and are constantly changing, even since 2000.

In 1887 the Kelly's Directory of Sussex reported on a new development, thus: 'Several fine residences have been erected, and the Victoria Drive of more than a mile in length, communicating with the sea and connecting Bognor and South Bersted, is planted with trees on either side, forming an extremely pleasant boulevard.'

Originally the estate was known as the Victoria Park Estate and was designed by Arthur Smith, a local architect, as part of a larger scheme in the late 1860s.

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He was also the architect for the Picturedrome, Reynolds Depository and the Royal Hotel.

This grandiose plan was for 351 buildings in an Italian Renaissance style, but it never fully came to fruition.

These developments were being considered at a time when the railway and pier constructions were taking place, so we have to assume that people were being attracted to this sleepy seaside resort and hence this need for larger houses, compared with the previously built smaller homes.

At this time, in the 1860s, the area beyond the Picturedrome consisted only of fields. However building did eventually commence in a somewhat piecemeal fashion with a few houses, such as Selwood Lodge and Nos 100 and 128 being built in the 1890s, followed by five more large homes between 1900 and 1910.

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The 1920s and 1930s saw a further spell of building taking place.

The northern section of Victoria Drive, therefore, is made up of a variety and complexity of housing that gives no real indication of the heritage of the area in connection with its surrounding streets.

The road now consists of property built from the 1890s and into the 21st century.

For example, the South Bersted Vicarage was built in 1907 and still exists today standing opposite the visually more modern veterinary hospital, which was actually built in 1911 and changed its use in the 1970s.

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In the 1920s, some of the large gardens were sold and other detached properties built, no doubt partly due to the fact that post first world war, servants and gardeners were more difficult to find.

Very little business life affected the street; however there have been a number of uses for some of the properties including St Olives School which was run at No 107 from the 1930s to the mid-1960s.

In the 1960s, major changes occurred due to the increased need for flats and bedsits.

Victoria Drive had its share of changes as houses were converted or demolished for blocks of flats to be built.

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Land was becoming more scarce and developers increased their need to buy land and develop high-density housing.

At this time a number of houses were demolished such as when Courtfield House was built in the grounds of No 129. These three-storey buildings were indicative of their time, promising a mature location in a tree lined avenue, near the beach, close to shops and facilities.

Security was a priority and these homes were advertised with smoke alarms and door entry systems.

Another major change was taking place in the mid-1970s. A roundabout was built at the Chichester Road junction, which included a re-routing of the traffic flow at the northern end of Victoria Drive.

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This allowed people to speed through Victoria Drive, especially the northern section, as a detour from the main A259 to other parts of the town.

During the 1980s another need arose '“ nursing and residential care homes. Many of the larger houses were suitable for this new industry and today we still have four establishments, although many have closed in recent years, the latest being during 1999.

Another facet of the road has been bed and breakfast accommodation.

This is always required in a seaside resort and we still have two popular establishments today. However during the 1950s there was also a hotel at number 100, coupled with numerous smaller bed and breakfast establishments during the summer seasons.

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In 1990 a number of bungalows on the corner of Victoria Drive and Linden Road were demolished and replaced by a range of homes for a housing association.

In 1999, nine detached houses were built on land previously occupied by a house and grounds, which had been derelict for a number of years.

The road is still lined with trees as was originally planned and it is still possible to recognise the original Victoria Drive and imagine what it must have been like to live in this leafy street in the 1890s.

However, the biggest change of all is the amount of traffic which disturbs the peace of this Victorian boulevard.

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Since 2000, changes have continued, notably the demolition of the former St Olives School, which was replaced with Imperial Court, a complex of six homes.

Most recently number 97 has been demolished to be replaced by another block of flats.

The section of Victoria Drive from Linden Road to Chichester Road has seen the biggest changes over the years and now provides a diverse tapestry of building styles.

The section from Linden Road to Aldwick has largely remained untouched '“ until now.

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Because of current and, no doubt, future changes, I shall be looking at this part of Victoria Drive and hope to record it in the coming months, if you have any information I would, of course, be pleased to hear from you.