(reposted from Adur and Worthing Council website)
A town centre pub in Worthing is set to be turned into eight flats after the national Planning Inspectorate overturned a refusal on appeal.
Worthing Borough Council's Planning Committee rejected two applications for The Wheatsheaf in Portland Road last year due to concerns of the height and design of the three to four storey building.
Councillors also ruled the scheme appeared cramped, as well as affecting the appearance and character of the nearby conservation area.
But the Inspector overturned the ruling, believing the proposed new block would be within the range of heights of existing buildings in the area and was set in between two pathways. He noted the loss of the local pub but considered that there were several others close by in the town centre.
A Council spokesman said:
“The Council has a very good record of defending its planning decisions at appeal - last year its success rate was 83% compared with a national average of 75%. In the case of the Wheatsheaf, it is notable that whilst the Inspector disagreed with the Council's conclusion of refusal he also found we had acted reasonably and had made well-reasoned arguments for our views. This meant he dismissed the owner's claim for costs against the Council.”
Photo: The Wheatsheaf in Portland Road, Worthing (credit - Google Street View)
