A breath of fresh air as Worthing planners lift art ban

The decision to lift restrictions which prevented activities and displays outside the chalets, near Splash Point, Worthing, was taken during Worthing Borough Council’s planning committee meeting last week.

Stefan Sykes, who leases the chalets from the council, said: “I am delighted and relieved that the restrictions have been removed.

“It was awful for the artists to be confined to their chalets. It felt as if they were under siege.” The East Beach Studios were opened in April, but, in June, members of the planning committee decided to impose a restriction which meant the artists were permitted to work only inside the beach chalets, which measure about three metres square.

At the time, the committee said people stopping to view the works were obstructing the pavement for passers-by.

Following the decision, Stefan met council leader Paul Yallop, deputy leader Bryan Turner and head of planning, James Appleton, to discuss the restrictions after Paul Yallop said he disagreed with the committee’s decision.

After the restrictions were removed, Mr Yallop told the Herald: “I am very pleased to see this matter resolved in an amicable way.

“I visited the artists with my family on Sunday and we purchased a great picture of Worthing seafront. It was good to see so many people browsing and enjoying the promenade.”

The artists are now allowed to work and display outside, so long as there is one metre across the front of the site for observers to stand without blocking the footway or cycle route. In the report, which members of the planning committee read before lifting the restrictions, the planning officer said: “The purpose of pursuing the change of use was to implement some of the objectives of the approved masterplan and seafront strategy.

“The aim is to encourage new activities, drawing more visitors to the seafront.

“The introduction of the artists’ studios has already attracted a great deal of positive publicity, attracting visitors and providing an ideal opportunity for the wider community to watch artists work.”

Stefan added: “Despite the planning difficulties, the studios have been incredibly popular, demonstrated by the 500 people who signed our petition to reinstate outside working. I have 25 other artists on a waiting list wanting to take up a studio if one becomes vacant.”

n The artists are holding a charity day on Saturday to raise money for flood victims in Pakistan.

For a donation, children can hire a paving slab and use chalks to create their own version of a famous artist’s masterpiece.