Fresh plans to demolish Worthing pub for flats

This will be the third attempt to replace the pub, in Richmond Road, which has been closed since 2017, with similar applications refused in 2018 and in March.

The March application was for eight flats over four storeys, which was considered to be ‘over-development’.

While planning officers do not appear keen on the look of this latest proposal, it may be third time lucky as it has been recommended for approval.

A report to Worthing Borough Council’s planning committee said: “It is not considered that the revised design is an improvement on the previous scheme as it now appears rather truncated with the removal of the top recessed floor, however; it has addressed the previous grounds of approval and as the lower floors are as before any objection on design grounds would be difficult to sustain.”

The Worthing Society, though, had a number of concerns, calling the plans ‘inappropriate’ and adding: “Unfortunately the proposed new building still gives the impression of being shoehorned into the available space sitting between two civic buildings -a round peg in a square hole.”

The application will be considered during a virtual meeting on Wednesday (April 22).

To view the application, log on to www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/planning and search for DM/0427/20.

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