AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by SGN to undertake a survey of a redundant gasholder at the former gasworks site at Gloucester Road in Littlehampton, West Sussex. The work has been undertaken as part of a wider programme involving the decommissioning and dismantling of the remaining redundant gasholders in the UK owned by SGN. The works were conducted in accordance with the principles set out in NPF4 (2023) and Planning and Guidance 2 (2011) and adhered to the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) Standard Guidance for the Archaeological Investigation and Recording of Standing Buildings (2020) and the CIfA Code of Conduct (2022). The survey was a Level 1 photographic survey carried out prior to any contractors on site as outlined in Historic England guidelines in their publication Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Recording Practice (2016). The gasworks at Littlehampton was established in the 1870s, located conveniently adjacent to a major rail line from which coal could be delivered to the site. There were originally two holders on the site with a large retort house and coal store and ancillary buildings, There was gentle extension of the site in the early 20th century, and the addition of another gasholder to the east, until the 1960s when demand for gas in the local area instigated the construction of a new large gasholder. An archive plan also suggests that another similar-sized gasholder was also planned, although this was never built. Gasholder No 3 is a Wiggins type of gasholder and has a nominal capacity of 360,000ft� (10,194m�). It was constructed in 1967 by C & W Walker Ltd to the west of a smaller guide-framed holder dating from 1898-1911, which was removed between 1973-1993. It was a planned large holder of a modern style for its time, noted for its relative low maintenance. Once the offshore gas was piped into the site, the gasworks buildings were removed and light and heavy industry moved into the area.
Diana Sproat (Thu,) studied this question.