LAVANT VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT

2007

View Of Village Green From Mid Lavant 

St Nicholas Church

River Lavant

1. PURPOSE & PROCESS

This Village Design Statement (VDS) describes the various parts of the village with their qualities and character, and outlines some concerns and preferences that villagers have for the future. Finally, it suggests key development opportunities and constraints.

The initial preparation for this VDS began in 1999. Questionnaires were distributed, open meetings held and a group of villagers undertook the preparation and completion of the task.

This current version was completed in 2006. Again, a volunteer group was formed and the Lavant Parish Council adopted the draft VDS document.

2. A BRIEF HISTORY

The word ‘Lavant’ comes from the Latin ‘labor’ that means to glide slide or trickle.  It can also mean ‘intermittent’. 

A Neolithic ritual site near Pook Lane dates to 3000 BC, and human remains dating back 2,000 years on an Iron Age site in the Lavant area were found in 1997.  Flint mines and quarries on the slopes of the downs above Lavant provide other evidence of early occupation.

Part of the village lies over the Chichester Dykes, a scheduled ancient monument that possibly formed part of the prehistoric defences of the ancient settlements.

The village grew in three separate sections, each supporting agricultural life. Until 1873, there were two separate ecclesiastical parishes, and to this day, the village priest is the Rector of St. Mary in East Lavant but the Vicar of St. Nicholas in Mid-Lavant!

Lavant has some reasonable claims to fame. Hugh May, Architect and Surveyor to Windsor Castle for Charles II, is buried in St. Nicholas Church. His aunt, Dame Mary May of Roughmere, had her effigy carved by the world famous sculptor John Bushnell and put up in St. Nicholas Church. Also buried in St. Nicholas is Dean Hook who was the Dean of the Cathedral when the spire fell in 1861.

It was not until after World War II that the village saw significant major development, principally with the large housing developments to the north in Yarbrook, and later in Lavant Down.

Today the parish of Lavant is an open and relaxed place. It has a population of around 1600. 

3. SHAPE OF THE SETTLEMENT

With its lanes and hedgerows running along the valley floor, together with the distinctive Duchess Cottages, flint churches and houses Lavant is a typical example of a Downland village. 

Dewponds and the River Lavant provide a valuable additional habitat for a variety of birds and insects.

The village comprises West, East and Mid Lavant and is situated, approximately 4 kms north of the City of Chichester, on the northern edge of the coastal plain on gently rising ground, with the higher land of the South Downs to its north.

The settlement pattern of the village is predominately linear, as it lies adjacent to major routes of communication, which pass through, from the coastal plain to inland towns to the North.

Mid Lavant straddles the A286 to Midhurst. Before this developed as the major route, traffic travelled north from Chichester via Fordwater Lane into East Lavant and up Chalkpit Lane to the Trundle and beyond.

In the nineteenth century, a railway line, now part of Centurion Way, ran between Chichester, Midhurst and Haslemere, roughly parallel to the A286.

The growth of the village to the east has centred on the road links to the Goodwood Estate and to Strettington, Halnacker and Boxgrove.

Consequently settlement, mostly housing and farming, developed along these communication routes. 

4. THE COMPONENT PARTS of the VILLAGE 

We explore the different features of the village from the four points of the compass.

The Earl of March pub / restaurant extended significantly in the 1980’s, and recently reopened, stands on the highest point of the A286 through this section of the village and overlooks the agricultural fields leading down to the village green.

The river flanking Sheep Wash Lane is visible from here. The reverse view from the East Lavant War Memorial is equally impressive, emphasising the open character of the landscape around the village.

Mid Lavant is essentially a strip of terraced developments close to and facing the A286, The houses are mixed terraces  of the 18th and 19th century mainly small with two or three storeys, but there are several substantial detached houses, hardly visible form the road, on individual plots or cul-de-sac developments built during the last 50 years or so.

The road through this part of the village is narrow, and barely adequate for large vehicles such as buses and trucks. Pavements alternate between the sides of the road; crossing between them is hazardous. At peak times, Mid Lavant feels under pressure from traffic volumes and pollution. In the summer months, traffic can be heavy at the weekends as people travel to the beaches.

The village shop and post office is located here but its operation is constrained by the lack of parking space outside. 

From the North into Yarbrook and Lavant Down

On the A286 is Yarbrook an almost entirely post-2nd World War housing development, although some houses that face on to the road are of inter-war date. There is also the entrance to Eastmead Industrial Estate originally set up in 1925 and extended later for war production.

The large housing development in Yarbrook is only slightly seen from the A286 and its impact on the general open countryside is minimal; the outward views to the northeast from the road are largely unrestricted. Its impact is more pronounced from the bridleway and footpaths that run northwards from East Lavant, generally following the line of the replaced railway and the course of the river.

This development, part originally local authority created and part privately developed, is now some 45 years old, with more completion that is even more recent.

Yarbrook centre is a pleasant and open development of small and mainly two storey terraced and clustered housing. A network of estate roads serves the development. There are three access points from the A286.

St. Nicholas Church has a generous area of grassed open space, backed by brick and tile houses. Within the area, there are large open grassed spaces that offer space and light, and with grassed verges and footpaths. These open spaces are characteristic of Lavant.

Based on the site of the former railway station, Churchmead, is more tightly planned, but because of its low scale, carefully designed roof scopes and varied shapes it complements the area well. The use of brick, tile and weatherboard is sympathetic to the vernacular character of local architectural style.

The addition of an adventure style playground has given this part of the village an important resource for children.

In the recent past a village shop, petrol station and pub / restaurant operated in this area but these businesses have since closed. The former petrol station will be a housing development. The former public house and its land have already been redeveloped into modern private housing (April Gardens). 

The houses are mainly two storeys with much flint and some thatch in view. Most are comparatively modest in scale and set within the gently saucer shaped terrain. A row of houses, some 1920-30 local authority constructed stand on the skyline marking the northward boundary of the area. In recent years, there have been a number of well-designed and constructed developments of existing houses and former barn buildings. Also notable was the sympathetic conversion of the former Dame School into apartment dwellings.

Two open spaces should be protected. The first is the land immediately south of St. Mary's church, which allows the church to be seen from the roadway. Development on it would create a barrier between the church and village street. The second is the grazing paddock in Shop Lane. This delightful space, gives a surprising open lung that gives definition to the nearby houses. It illustrates in a subtle way the agricultural roots of the village, particularly on those occasions when it is used for animal grazing.

However, the future of the allotment land needs to be reviewed.

From the West into West Lavant

This part of the parish is almost certainly the remains of a lost medieval village. It is believed that a church, now long since gone, stood here. Remaining now is a handsome 18th C house; another has been extended and converted into a private school. There is also West Lavant Farm, and a varied straggle of small houses and cottages, some converted from farm buildings, mostly gentrified, and improved. The area has no real centre, and is surrounded on all sides by farmland and grazing land. Its success as a village component is its informality.

Approaching from Kingley Vale and West Stoke, the road affords majestic views north and eastwards over the Downs towards West Dean, the Trundle and Goodwood Racecourse. Much of the village appears to be almost hidden below the level of the road, with the exception of the newly built cream painted terraced house of April Gardens. West Lavant Farm and the Lavant House Rosemead School (c150 pupils) are visible to the south, and closer to the Midhurst Road is Lavant CE Primary School (c65 pupils), a significant focal point for younger families in Lavant.

At the junction of the A286, on the left are well-tended allotments, highly prized by villagers. St. Nicholas’ Church and cemetery are immediately opposite, acting as a lynchpin between Mid Lavant and Yarbrook / Lavant Down. 

5. FOOTPATHS AND PEDESTRIAN LINKS

The parish is fortunate in having a good network of footpaths and bridleways that link its several parts. It is essential that these are well maintained.

The paths that link East to Mid-Lavant are much used. Some traditional features such as the 19th C iron "kissing gates” on the green have been restored recently.

The footpath that runs northward from Pook Lane to Mid and East Lavant is frequently ploughed out and the finger posts broken down, although these are usually restored after complaints from conscientious villagers. Other popular footpaths, for example, Chalkpit Lane leading to the Trundle, Marsh Lane leading to West Dean and the Downs, and to the West towards Lavant House Rosemead School and Oldwick Farm, connect Lavant strongly to its surrounding countryside. 

When first established the path verges were sown with wild flowers, but due to cutting during the flowering season, and the unrestricted growth of nettles, brambles and saplings, a large part of the attractive environment of the Way has been put at risk. 

6. LOCAL ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT

The main sources of employment lie beyond the parish boundary, in Chichester or even further afield. This results in a high level of peak hour travel as most journeys are by private car.

However, there are important local businesses that sustain the local economy. For example: in Yarbrook, Eastmead Industrial Estate (over 20 firms housed in 30 units); in Mid Lavant, Lavant Motors (Car Sales), A&H Motors (Servicing and Repair Garage), Lavant Stores (Village Shop), and The Earl of March (Pub / Restaurant); in East Lavant, two farms, a Racing Stables, Flint House Bed & Breakfast, and the Royal Oak (Pub / Restaurant and B&B); in the West, farming and extensive equestrian businesses at Oldwick Farm (Stabling, Schooling, Saddlers and Vet). The two schools located in the village also bring economic benefit.

Lavant is also benefits from the sporting and social activities emanating from the Goodwood Estate, e.g. Horse Racing, Festival of Speed and the Motor Racing Circuit, but these activities have some negative aspects. The closing of routes through the village or major events is inconvenient. Noise from the airfield from both planes and cars, whilst measured and monitored by the owners and the District Council, is seen by some residents of East Lavant as unreasonable. 

housing and for houses suitable for first time buyers. There will be a gradual rise in the number of retired people in the parish.

The reasonably frequent bus service supports the economic and social life of the village, and contributes to reducing car movements.

7. BUILDING STYLES AND MATERIALS

The Downland villages have traditionally used local materials for construction and this should be followed wherever possible within the bounds of modern building regulations.

The form of roofs, the proportion of buildings and the openings within them should follow the established and traditional forms.

Most buildings are constructed in multi-red bricks with flush or slightly recessed pointing. The bonding of bricks is important and the opportunity to use the tradition forms (i.e. Flemish, English garden wall, etc.) should be taken wherever possible. 

Lavant Village Design Statement