SUPPORT has been given to protect a nearly 250-year-old toll bridge by making the area surrounding it a conservation area.
Historic England has backed suggestions by Adur District Council that Shoreham Toll Bridge should be included in a proposed extension to the Old Shoreham conservation area.
The council’s planning committee recommended the changes after officers reviewed the boundaries for the conservation area for the first time since the 1990s and asked the public for their thoughts.
The report stated: “The toll bridge is representative of an important part of the history of Old Shoreham and is now proposed for inclusion in the conservation area.
“This location was the site of a very ancient crossing of the Adur when the river was either forded or crossed by a ferry.
“The first bridge was built in 1781, and was substantially restored to the same design in the early 20th century.”
The review also recommends excluding from the conservation area a small number of modern homes in Connaught Avenue, Adur Avenue and Lesser Foxholes because they “do not contribute to the historic character of the town”.
At its meeting on July 4, Adur’s planning committee recommended that the council’s executive member for regeneration, councillor Steve Neocleous, approve the changes to the conservation areas and confirm extra planning restrictions for the areas known as Article 4 Directions.
Article 4 Directions limit permitted development rights for properties within the area, meaning porches, extensions and demolishing walls would need planning permission.
The bridge is a grade II* listed building currently.
The bridge has a fascinating history and was even used by cars and double-decker buses up until 1968.
A council spokesman said: “Prior to 1781, people and animals were pulled from one side of the estuary to the other on a flat raft.
“In 1847 a new river crossing was built to provide a dedicated crossing for the new South Coast Railway and the railway company acquired a controlling interest in the bridge.
“Ownership passed to the newly created nationalised British Rail in 1947 and to West Sussex County Council, the present owners, in 1970.
“Up until it was closed to road traffic in 1968, when it became a public bridleway, it was the A27 and even double-decker buses used it.”
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