Plans to build 27 flats in Worthing town centre have been recommended for refusal over concerns about their impact on historic buildings and flood risk.
The proposal would see existing buildings at 10-20 Marine Place demolished and replaced with a three-story block consisting of 27 one-bedroom flats. Five ground-floor flats would have private terraces and four flats on the second floor private balconies.
A report to Worthing Borough Council’s planning committee recommends that the application is refused.
The site lies within the South Street Conservation Area and is close to several listed buildings, including the Grade II listed Bedford Row terraces, Bedford Cottage and Grade II* listed Dome Cinema.
The council’s conservation architect has objected to the plans, saying the proposed building would harm the setting of a number of ‘designated heritage assets.’
Officers also have concerns over flood risk, with the Environment Agency stating the submitted flood risk assessment does not provide enough information about the finished floor levels of the building. It has asked for the floors to be at least 600mm above the expected flood level.
The council says the application is currently recommended for refusal, although this could be reconsidered if further information and comments are received before the committee meeting on October 7.
Planning permission was previously granted at the site for a three-storey building containing nine flats, alongside studio and office space. This application proposes to increase that number to 27 one-bedroom flats.
However, officers stated: “While it is noted that larger family units may not be the most appropriate in this location, the planning statement has not justified how a housing mix of all one-person units is appropriate.”
Seven objections were received during a consultation, with concerns raised over the size of the proposed building, loss of light and privacy, pedestrian safety and the impacts on the conservation area.
Concerns about whether the one-bedroom flats would provide a good standard of living were also raised.
The report also says that the applicant’s assessment of alternative sites was not adequate, as it did not consider whether there were other sites at lower risk of flooding which could accommodate the development.
The application will be considered at the next Worthing planning committee meeting, to be held on Wednesday, October 7.
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