The History of Rottingdean Heritage
A Brief History of Rottingdean Heritage
Rottingdean Heritage began with local efforts to protect the village’s iconic Windmill, first secured for public benefit in 1923. Originally formed to safeguard Rottingdean from unsuitable development, the organisation grew into a registered charity dedicated to preserving the village’s historic buildings, landscapes and character. Over the years, volunteers and supporters have helped save key landmarks including The Elms and The Grange, securing a lasting home for the village museum, gallery and gardens. Today, Rottingdean Heritage continues this work, caring for Rottingdean’s past for the benefit of future generations.
1923
Windmill Trust
Leased by the Marquess of Abergaveney to Sir George Lewis, Penelope Lawrence, Robert Lang, and Rev. Lewis Verey. The Trust raised funds to repair the Mill, and make it weatherproof.
1935
Mr Yapp, a tobacco millionaire from Beech Hurst, Haywards Heath, paid for a complete renovation of the Windmill.
1937
The Ratepayers Association
The Society started as a Ratepayers Association to protest against the unannounced erection of St Margaret’s flats without Brighton Council consulting the village in any way.
Other plans included many new homes and a bypass across Beacon Hill.
1960
Rottingdean Preservation Society
The Ratepayers Association became the Rottingdean Preservation Society, a registered charity, with Sir Roderick Jones as Chairman and The Vicar William White as Vice President.
They leased the Windmill from Brighton Council who had bought the land from the Marquess of Abergaveney in 1928.
RPS undertook further renovations of the Mill and continued to scrutinize all planning applications submitted to Brighton Council.
1980
Save The Elms from Residential development
The former home or Rudyard Kipling was saved as an appeal by Rottingdean Preservation Society raised £50,000 to purchase the land, and volunteers from many groups in the village restored it to a state where the ownership was transferred to Brighton Council.
1990
Crisis: The Grange to be sold
Budget cuts made by Brighton Council forced the art gallery and The Grange to close.
1993
The Grange: Saved!
Rottingdean Preservation Society negotiated a 10 year rolling lease for the top two floors of the building, along with the Grange garden.
1996
Rottingdean Parish Council
Rottingdean lost its independent parish council in 1928 when the parish became part of the county borough of Brighton, but it regained an independent parish council in 1996.
The Parish Council took over routine scrutiny of all planning and amenities decisions for the Parish from RPS.
This changed the emphasis of the role of Rottingdean Preservation Society, allowing it to focus on activities in Gallery and Museum, along with the maintenance of the Windmill.
Rottingdean Preservation Society, was still involved in scrutiny of planning applications in the Conservation Area.
2023 to today
Rottingdean Heritage
Rottingdean Preservation Society, was renamed to Rottingdean Heritage. And in 2023 Rottingdean Heritage became a CIC.