Flats plans for former Worthing pub turned down again

The application, for the old Wheatsheaf Pub, in Richmond Road, was considered at a virtual meeting of the borough council’s planning committee.

The pub sits between the library and Portland House, which houses council offices.

The previous applications, for four-storey blocks, were turned down having been branded ‘over-development’ – the latest plan was for seven flats over three-storeys.

Committee chairman Paul High said the development was ‘in the wrong place’, adding: “It seems ridiculous to put accommodation in that area.

“If you put it anywhere else in the town it would probably be acceptable, but not in that location.”

It was a view shared by Susan Belton of the Worthing Society.

Mrs Belton said to build homes there felt ‘incongruous’ and that more thought should have been given to redeveloping the existing building rather than tearing it down.

Not everyone agreed.

Steve Wills (Con, Castle) felt the flats would ‘fit nicely’, while Bob Smytherman (Lib Dem, Tarring) said it was a ‘really good scheme’.

Despite the plans being refused, the applicant could still have the final word.

Members were told an appeal had been launched against the March refusal and, if the planning inspectorate finds in favour of the applicant, a four-storey block of eight flats could still be built.

Before the meeting started, members observed a minute’s silence in memory of former councillors Norah Fisher and Don Allen, who died this month.