Plans to convert Chichester’s former House of Fraser building into 87 flats have been submitted to the district council.
Originally the home of the Oliver Whitby School, the Grade-II listed building, on West Street, has been used by shops since the Second World War, and House of Fraser in particular since 1973.
But it has stood empty for the past seven years.
Now West Tower Developments Ltd aims to give it a new lease of life in the form of the flats, four ‘smaller, more manageable’ commercial units, and two town-houses.
The application includes the demolition of buildings to the rear of the site, to be replaced with a block of flats up to six storeys high.
If the plans are approved, the former Eagle Inn Pub, an 18th century building on the corner of Tower Street, will have it’s top floor converted into a two-bedroom flat, while one of the four new shops will take up the ground floor.
A design statement submitted with the application said: “The reintroduction of four smaller-scale commercial units along West Street will reinstate active frontages and help restore vitality to a stretch of the city centre that has experienced decline since the closure of House of Fraser.
“Public consultation findings demonstrated strong support for the principle of redevelopment, with a clear recognition of the opportunity to regenerate a deteriorating landmark and strengthen the local economy.
“Overall, the development delivers clear heritage, economic, environmental and social benefits, transforming an underperforming brownfield site into a vibrant, active and enduring part of Chichester’s historic city centre.”
To view the application, log on to publicaccess.chichester.gov.uk and search for 26/00406/FUL.
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