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PATCHDEAN

In April 1926, Steyning East Rural Council decided to build 20 houses at Patcham to relieve overcrowding in the village. The site chosen was near to a bend in Carden Avenue, then just a country lane, and adjoining a private road as yet unnamed, now Winfield Avenue, which barred vehicular access by a gate across the road. later in that year twelve houses were built on this corner and eight facing them, on the north side of the road. At this site was just where Patcham and Withdean joined the small colony was called Patchdean. It should be explained that until April 1928, this area was outside the Brighton borough boundaries, so Brighton Council was not involved. These houses were very cheaply built and let at only a few shillings a week. In 1927 it was decided to complete the project by building another 20 houses, all on the north side, making 40 in all. Building costs having fallen, these houses cost even less than the first 20, the contract price being £8507, and to save expense they were gas- lit instead of by electricity. In 1928 the area passed under the control of Brighton Corporation. These photographs of 11 February 1973 show the cleared site of the first twelve, demolished so that the site can be used for small blocks of Council flats, thus housing more people on the same area. Later the remaining 28 houses on the other side will suffer the same fate.

Image Reference: JG_34_215.tif
Date: 1973
Image Details: Original monochrome print
Size of Original: 155x97
Place: Brighton
Additional Information: No comment

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