Covid-19 Outbreak
It is with regret that Bramber Parish Council has, in light of HM Government advice, decided to cancel all face-to-face meetings. This means that the next BPC meeting on 1st April 2020 is cancelled as are all future Council meetings until further notice.
To contact the Parish Clerk, please email bramberparishclerk@gmail.com or call 07824 312070
Bramber Neighbourhood Plan
Bramber Parish Council has prepared a Neighbourhood Development Plan (“Bramber Neighbourhood Plan 2018-2031”) for the Parish with the help of the local community. This sets out our vision for the future of the Parish and planning policies which will be used to determine planning applications locally. In accordance with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended), the Bramber Neighbourhood Development Plan and associated documents will go out to consultation for 6 weeks inviting representations between:
Monday 16th March at 5pm and Midnight on Monday 4 May 2020
Please see the Regulation 16 page for full details of the plan and how you can respond to the consultation.
Parish Precept
Alongside a busy schedule of regular parish council business 2019 was a busy year for Bramber Parish Councillors and volunteers who have all been working hard preparing a Neighbourhood Plan. Sadly our Clerk Rebecca left us at the end of January but happily we have recruited Paul Richards who joined us at the beginning of February. To ensure that Councillors can continue to be sufficiently supported by an experienced and qualified Clerk, we have made the decision to increase the number of office hours going forward. While this decision will greatly benefit the parish, it will mean an increase in cost. Due to this, and other general increases, Bramber Parish Councillors have agreed to request an increase of 10.83% on the parish precept. A ‘Band D’ household will see an increase of 9.78% in the amount that they are asked to pay, equivalent to 10p per week. We hope you will agree that this action is in the best interests of the community of Bramber. Of course, Councillors continue to give their time voluntarily, in order to address the infinite, varied and sometimes challenging demands of their role.
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Almond Blossom
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Bramber - A Snapshot
Bramber parish is a rural area in the lee of the South Downs, located inland from Shoreham-by-Sea and extending to some 1770 acres. Much of the land is actively farmed and ranges from flood plain to upland on to the South Downs. There is a natural boundary to the East in the river Adur which separates the village from Upper Beeding. The southern side is wholly rural and joins farms in the parish of Coombes, elsewhere the boundaries mingle with Steyning. Part of the parish falls within the newly created South Downs National Park. The Parish Council works closely with the Parishes of Upper Beeding and Steyning in matters of mutual interest.
There are four identifiable residential areas: Bramber village, which is a single linear street (originally a causeway) and still contains listed buildings; Maudlyn Park, largely a post-war housing development accommodating the majority of the parish's population and the two picturesque hamlets of Annington and Botolphs.
Historically the area has been populated for well over a 1000 years. It is recorded that the village developed along a trade route from Cornwall through to Kent and the Continent; had strong Saxon links and by 959 St Botolph's church had been built. Bramber castle and the church followed in 1073.
The villages contain buildings of considerable historical interest such as the Saxon church at Botolphs, Bramber Castle, which is cared for by English Heritage, St Nicholas Church, the oldest Norman Church in the county, and the 15th century former pilgrims rest at St Mary’s House. St. Mary's still attracts great interest and, through the efforts of the current owners and volunteers, the house and gardens have been restored to their former glory and numerous events are held throughout the year.
Whilst farming remains an important aspect of the local economy, there is also light industry in an industrial estate in Annington. There are no shops in the village but there is a pub (the Castle Hotel), the 38 bedroom Old Tollgate Hotel and Indian and Chinese restaurants. Tourism is still a major attraction to the area, which is criss-crossed by many footpaths and bridleways, including the Monarchs Way, the Downs Link and the South Downs Way.
Local interests are well catered for by the Parish Council and a social group called the Bramber Society. It organises various activities which bring residents together - talks, village cleanups, celebrations, arranging floral decorations through the village and Christmas carols and decorations. The village also has links with several specialised interest groups.
Schools, health services and local shops are provided from the neighbouring villages of Steyning and Upper Beeding.
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Parish Boundary (click for larger image)
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