University of Chichester plans to sell off listed buildings on Bognor Regis campus for redevelopment

Listed building consent is being sought to refurbish the buildings and make some internal alterations, in order to make them suitable to be used as private homes once again.

The university said the buildings, which are located in the south-east corner of the campus, are of a different scale to most other buildings on the campus and are ‘rather under-utilised’.

“The university regards this redevelopment proposal as an ideal opportunity for these buildings to receive some much needed restoration and to best provide for their ongoing survival by returning them to their original use as private domestic dwellings,” according to the planning application, which has been submitted to Arun District Council.

Among the affected properties is Charlotte House in Upper Bognor Road, which dates from the later 19th century.

It is proposed that the building, a Grade II listed detached estate house which is currently used as student accommodation, is converted into two semi-detached houses.

This will involve internal alterations and the addition of two new windows to allow more light into the property, the applicant said.

Internal refurbishment will also be made to a pair of Grade II listed cottages, at 67 and 69 Upper Bognor Road, in order to return them to residential properties.

The buildings, which are known as Anne’s Cottages, are currently unoccupied and in a semi-derelict state, according to the applicant.

Asbestos-containing materials, which have been used in places to line the walls internally, will need to be removed.

A former student health and medical centre, located at 71 Upper Bognor Road, will be converted into two flats.

The Grade II listed two-storey building, which was constructed in 1830, suffered ‘considerable and extensive damage’ in an arson attack in 2006 – though was repaired a year later.

The exterior of the building, which is currently a ‘rather institutional pale green’, would be changed to ‘a creamy white’ to match other listed buildings on the campus, according to the applicant.

A single-storey extension to number 71, which was most likely former offices or stables, would be set up as a workshop with its own toilet and kitchen facilities.

Two additional live-work units would also be constructed at the site.

It is also proposed that a new building would be constructed to face Anne’s Cottages in order to create a ‘courtyard style development’.

Once it is sold to a developer, the land would be sealed off from the university campus by installing new gates, the applicant said.

To see the planning application in full, search BR/352/19/L on Arun District Council’s planning website.

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