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Malines Avenue, PEACEHAVEN, BN10 7PS

The only road name along with Cavell Avenue in Peacehaven which has its origins in World War One. Many others on the original plan of Charles Neville had other roads named after battles but were changed to something more amenable after objections about taste thus Loos Avenue became Seaview Avenue. Malines Avenue starts from this point before extending north to Firle Road one of three east-west routes that bisect the north-south avenues which give Peacehaven a North American town feel, not surprising when realised that the developer Charles Nevill had made his fortune building new towns in Canada and Australia

Detail of Image See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacehaven Peacehaven is characterised by the grid system of its streets, and seemingly the concrete roadways, here visible beyond the line of posts. The town was originally formed for retiring WWI veterans in order for them to escape and recover from the effects of the war. The idyllic setting, sea air and simple lifestyle were thought to have aided good health. The land was also cheap and, as a result, working-class families from the city started to purchase plots and gradually build makeshift homes for weekends and holidays. This movement of frontier style buildings made with whatever materials were available at the time was termed as the Plotlands movement. Inhabitants felt a sense of freedom in living off what they needed and enjoying a simpler life away from the busy, polluted city. The Plotlands provided the working class an opportunity that might not have been available otherwise.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacehaven Peacehaven is characterised by the grid system of its streets, and seemingly the concrete roadways, here visible beyond the line of posts. See Image for detail. There also seems to be some artistic licence in paint schemes and building styles! The town was originally formed for retiring WWI veterans in order for them to escape and recover from the effects of the war. The idyllic setting, sea air and simple lifestyle were thought to have aided good health. The land was also cheap and, as a result, working-class families from the city started to purchase plots and gradually build makeshift homes for weekends and holidays. This movement of frontier style buildings made with whatever materials were available at the time was termed as the Plotlands movement. Inhabitants felt a sense of freedom in living off what they needed and enjoying a simpler life away from the busy, polluted city. The Plotlands provided the working class an opportunity that might not have been available otherwise.

Former shop once known as the Cairo Stores that has been converted into residence sometime during the 1990s I believe. The outside decor stands out here but would not look out of place in one of Brighton's trendier shopping streets.

Peacehaven's haphazard development extended to commercial and retail activities. Until the late 1970s there was no central business district as in the 1920s shops and businesses would just buy a plot and operate from that. These three are a case in point, located around the junction of Cairo Avenue, which was closed off to traffic in 1961, all originate from the late 1920s, all were originally shops but only the one at the far end is now used for commercial purposes being an Indian takeaway. The house on the left was certainly residential by the mid 1970s and was probably converted much early, whilst the one in the middle with the black spots was for a long time a small cornershop known as the Cairo Stores but that too has been converted into a residence sometime in the 1990s.

Right is Malines Avenue South, which runs through Howard Park.

The Robin Reliant advertises a business located in the garage that once belonged to the demolished Peacehaven Hotel. The two buildings opposite again highlight the lack of proper planning inherent in Peacehaven's development. The bungalow on the left was first occupied by Barclays Bank in 1923, the first bank in the town, before it moved to larger premises eastwards next to Roderick Avenue where it remains to this day. The house beyond was also built in the 1920s but has remained a shop throughout its life though it is currently empty.

Peacehaven has been designed quite literally as a grid with north-south avenues bisected by east-west roads, the major one being the South Coast Road, the A259. Running parallel to the north throughout the entire distance of Peacehaven is Arundel Road. This is the view from Hoddern Avenue. The road itself was unmade up to the late 1950s when the local council assumed responsibility for maintenance and made up all bar a few roads.

Viewed from Cairo Avenue South the park dates from the 1990s having previously been wasteland. Beyond is Malines Avenue South a private road that allows access down the cliff to the sea defences. The rough ground on the other side of that road is the site of the former Peacehaven Hotel a showpiece building constructed in 1922 with a variety of amenities including a landscaped Italian themed garden. All that remains today is the hotel's original garage which once stood opposite but for many years has housed small business units. The gardens had overgrown by the 1970s though it was still possible to uncover some of the remains amongst the undergrowth whilst the hotel was demolished in 1987 replaced by a carvery located on the main road out of shot to the left. For the last years of its life it was a pub, the first one I ever got served in!

Near Newhaven.