Market May Close

Developers have announced outline plans for the change of use of the Surrey Street site, which has been the subject of rumours for several months.

Brighton-based Protodale Plc wants to build two ground-floor shops, with a two-and-a-half storey residential development of up to 72 "habitable" rooms.

But the lack of detail in the planning application has led to Littlehampton Town Council lodging an objection against the plans with Arun District Council, which will decide if the scheme can go ahead.

The town council says there is insufficient information about the residential development, giving no indication whether it would be flats, a hotel, hostel, starter homes or some other use.

It has also pointed out the site is within Littlehampton s principal shopping area and so the change of use would go against Arun s local planning policies for that part of town.

The indoor market, which opens on Fridays and Saturdays, is owned by the Wellington Market Company, of Telford, Shropshire.

A spokesman for the company admitted the planning application would mean the eventual closure of the market, but he could not say how soon that would happen.

Market traders, he added, were being kept informed of the situation and were aware of the planning application.

The market includes Littlehampton s last butcher s shop, as well as a baker s, fruit and vegetable, fish, clothing and other stalls.