The traditional life of our old Sussex village, full of character and history, is under threat from yet more inappropriate, expensive housing development. As locals we have had enough and are taking action to save our village. Read the great news of the success of our campaign so far. But there could be a problem – see Latest Update blow.
An English Village
I sit in a secluded back garden, surrounded by trees on a warm day in September’s late summer. In the village below, there is the muffled hum of the inevitable traffic passing through. But every now and then we hear the church clock lazily strike the quarters. It reminds us this village has a past traditional way of life that used to follow the hours by the church clock, at a slower, more gentle way of life. (above old photo from Angmering Village Life)
We are very grateful to have ended up here for the past 20 years with a view over the village rooftops and within the sound of the church clock and bells, lovely old English sounds.
Living in a village you will soon hear other echoes from the past. The old church school (above), now the local library, dates back to 1682. There are several Listed buildings in the Conservation heart of the village and, oldest of all, the 13th century Church.
The village name indicates Anglo-Saxon origins. There is the site of a Roman villa half a mile away across the fields and a Bronze age settlement was here before that. The village was listed in King Alfred the Great’s will in the 9th century.
The old High Street
Our Parish Church
Our parish church has been at the heart of the village since the 13th century. Full of memories and history, a place of worship and prayer for nearly 1000 years. Not just a building, but a family community of all ages, somewhere you can belong and be among Christian friends who care for our local community.
Open your eyes. This empty church is full, Thronging with life and light your eyes have missed Stand here awhile and drink their silence in. Annealed in glass, the twelve Apostles stand And each of them is keeping faith for you. This roof is held aloft, to give you space, By graceful angels praying night and day That you might hear some rumour of their flight That you might feel the flicker of a wing And let your heart fly free at last in prayer.
Malcolm Guite
Numerous villagers have been baptized in this old font.
Village Community Life
On Wednesdays you will see volunteer street gardeners looking after the village flowerbeds. On special days Roger puts up the flag outside the Village hall. Until recently there was Amanda’s Food bank for the village. In the small village square the Yarn Bombers’ topical knitted displays decorate lamp posts and the postbox. Volunteers help clean the church, run the library or help at the church school hearing children read. Just some of the many who make their contribution to the life of our village, creating a sense of community. Locals proud of their village and willing to do their part to make it work.
Old Church Street with the Lamb pub in the distance
Save Our Village!
During the past decade our village has been growing rapidly. Now, having seen a 40% extra growth in the past 6 years, the village is threatened by yet more housing developers building estates, but not communities, where our local plans and concerns are overridden by big business from outside. This is swamping our old village facilities and precious sense of community with expensive houses that few locals can afford.
Please support us by clicking on the link above (in blue). Thank you.
Update – July 2025.
Our campsign to save our village from yet more development has been a huge success. 1700 of us sent letters opposing the proposed development and over 80 villagers crowded the public gallery for the hearing. The outcome – the proposed development has been turned down.
Latest Update – August 2025
As expected the housing devoloper has launched an appeal against our local Arun District Council’s decision. Big business using its might to try to push aside public opinion! So we fight on to save our village from yet more expensive housing development which very few locals can afford.
At the moment the centre of the village is blocked by months long sewage drainage installation work from the new estates already built!
That sign (with all the yellow housing development signs) says it all really – so many developments around a small rural village – which sounds, by the way like a great, community-oriented place to live.
Yes. To make a village work everyone needs to make some contribution. Our protest opposing the latest developer’s application for planning for yet more new housing is well supported. This time we are hopeful of stopping further non-affordable housing here.
A Listening Heart 
That sign (with all the yellow housing development signs) says it all really – so many developments around a small rural village – which sounds, by the way like a great, community-oriented place to live.
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Yes. To make a village work everyone needs to make some contribution. Our protest opposing the latest developer’s application for planning for yet more new housing is well supported. This time we are hopeful of stopping further non-affordable housing here.
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