The population in 1872 was 616.[4] The 2001 census records a population of 2,684.[1] There is a primary school.[5]
Governance
Wittering was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising four households and a value of one pound. It was principally ploughing land, ploughed by two teams. The tenant-in-chief was Earl Roger of Shrewsbury under the lordship of Ralph of Bignor, whereas prior to the Norman Conquest it was privately owned.[6]
In modern times, an electoral ward in the same name exists. This ward includes some of Birdham and at the 2011 Census had a total population of 4,472.[7]
Chichester Harbour, a Site of Special Scientific Interest is partly within the parish. This is a wetland of international importance, a Special Protection Area for wild birds and a Special Area of Conservation. The harbour is of particular importance for wintering wildfowl and waders of which five species reach numbers which are internationally important.[9]
The beach is situated on the Chichester Harbour, which is a protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The beach is well-known for its windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions.
The beach is managed by the National Trust, and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its rare habitats and wildlife.
It is considered to be one of the best beaches in the UK for swimming due to its clean water and gently sloping shoreline.[citation needed]
At the mouth of Chichester Harbour lies the little settlement of West Wittering, beautiful and glittering when the sea flows round it at high tide, forlorn and untidy when it is out.
