Worthing Society
WWW.Worthingsociety.org.uk
The Worthing Society, originally the Worthing Civic Society (founded 1973), was formed in 1982. Its main aims are to conserve and preserve the architectural amenities of Worthing and the surrounding area, and to stimulate interest and research into the town's history. It is concerned principally with conservation and preservation but also operates within broader terms to enhance the present conditions of the town and surrounding area, the character and life of which it is anxious to safeguard, and to act as a watch-dog for future developments. Many buildings of historical and architectural value to the town have been demolished over the years up to the foundation of the Worthing Civic Society. The Worthing Society regards it as vitally important to preserve buildings of historical significance, particularly the fine remaining examples of Regency, Victorian and later architecture.Since its foundation the Society has already been responsible for, or been primarily instrumental in, gaining from the Department of the Environment listing as buildings worthy of conservation the following:-
Beach House, Brighton Road, Worthing (c1820)
The Burlington Hotel, Marine Parade, Worthing(1865)
The Rustington Convalescent Home, Sea Road, Rustington(1897)
The Old Mill House, Angmering(c1640)
The Dome, Worthing
The
society has also been
very active in matters such as :-
Saving
Caledonian Place
The
preservation of Ilex oak trees at Ilex Way,
Improvement
to Montague Place
Stanfords Cottage and the Old Warwick Quarter
Extensions and additions to Conservation Areas
Restoration
of seafront capstans
The
Ship, South Street, Worthing
The
Gateway, Park Crescent, Worthing
New
amenity tree planting
The
establishment of commemorative
plaques
The substantial West Durrington housing proposals
Minimising damage to Titnore Lane and its trees
WBC's Masterplan
WBC's Planning User Group
It is in constant touch with Worthing Borough Council and is a member of the Victorian Society, the 20th Century Society, and the Cinema Theatre Association.
The Society believes that it is its duty to ensure, so far as it lies within its power, that new buildings should be designed to blend in scale and fabric with existing surrounding properties. For example, pastel colours or white should always be used on properties with a sea front aspect, a principle which has been accepted, on the Society's urging, by the Borough Council with whose planning officers there is valuable liaison. Whenever the Society opposes an application for development, it makes a point not simply to express opposition but to offer constructive suggestions. Applications affecting buildings, trees, etc., are regularly scrutinised on site.
The Committee aims to include experts with planning and legal experience and historical knowledge. At public inquiries the Society aims to be represented and has already succeeded in modifying developers' proposals which would have seriously affected a number of historic areas of Worthing, and in resisting architect's proposals to build over Montague Place. Meetings are held quarterly, and include talks given by experts in various fields. There are also social events and outings and a regular Newsletter is distributed.