Our History | saltdeanra

Over 80 year of Saltdean

Residents Association

1934 to 2021

The history of the Saltdean Residents’ Association (SRA) is closely linked to the growth of Saltdean. The SRA was founded in 1934 to represent residents of the developing area in establishing and preserving local facilities and amenities, a role it maintains today.

In the early days the SRA campaigned for many of the amenities that are now taken for granted; such as street lighting ,fire hydrants, bus services, sewage disposal, rubbish collection, sea defences, provision of shopping facilities and roads. The campaign for a school began in 1946 but took until the 1960’s for it to be built. Many subjects have arisen time and time again as the area has evolved.

In more recent years the SRA has been involved with ; the saving of the Lido, the beach protection works, the Portobello sewage works, the Loos Barn site, the South Downs National Park and the retention of the Community Centre to name but a few.. The SRA has financially contributed to the multi- sports area in the Oval, provided the Coast Road “village signs”, the Peace Stone and the commemerative seats in various locations in Saltdean. The most recent addition is in Longridge Avenue opposite the Grand Ocean Hotel , in rememberance of past SRA President Joseph Stokes. A current campaign is the provision of a zebra crossing in the Longridge Avenue shopping area. We have also donated £1,000 to the West Saltdean Local Team.

It became apparent early on, that the community of Saltdean which is split between two local authority administrations and remains so to this day, that there were some disparities between East and West Saltdean. One of those was the timing of the street kights going out. On the East side lights went out at 11pm and it took many years of campaigning to alter this. The unification the area remains a topicial issue. In 2001, of those who voted in the SRA referendum of the area, 80% wanted a United Saltdean with the majority wanting Brighton & Hove as the local authority.

Without the work of the Saltdean Residents’ Association over the years, many of the facilities and amenities enjoyed by residents today would not be around. The SRA continues to watch over the area to ensure that it remains a highly desirable place to live for both young and older members of the community.