New Fishbourne

The northern part of the village and its modern development

New Fishbourne is the name given to the part of the village that lies north of the A259, encompassing the residential areas developed mainly in the twentieth century. This is where the majority of Fishbourne's population now lives, in the housing estates, closes, and crescents that were built from the 1950s onwards.

The Roman Way estate, built on land near the Roman Palace site, is one of the larger residential developments. Clay Lane and the surrounding streets provide a mix of family houses and bungalows. The primary school, village hall, and recreation ground are all in this part of the village, making New Fishbourne the functional centre of modern community life.

The character of New Fishbourne is suburban rather than historic. The houses are post-war, the street pattern is modern, and the feel is of a comfortable residential area rather than an ancient village. But the location is what sets it apart from any ordinary suburb: the harbour is a short walk south, the South Downs are visible to the north, and the Roman Palace is on the doorstep.

New Fishbourne has grown incrementally, with new developments added over the decades. Planning applications for additional housing continue to generate discussion, with residents balancing the need for homes against concerns about traffic, drainage, and the preservation of the village's setting.

The distinction between Old and New Fishbourne is meaningful to residents but invisible to most visitors, who experience the village as a single settlement. The A259, which divides the two, is the most significant physical barrier, and proposals to improve pedestrian crossing points have been part of local discussions for years.