Listed Bognor Regis building Salisbury House can now be turned into 10 new flats

Arun District Council’s planning committee granted permission for Winston Developments Limited to turn Salisbury House, The Steyne, into ten homes on Wednesday (October 26).

The Grade II listed building is in the Steyne Gardens conservation area and was previously used as five supported living flats.

‘Minor’ alterations and redecoration are planned for the outside, with no changes to the front of the building.

An internal courtyard will be altered to make private terraces, a bin store, and a bike store.

Bognor Regis Town Council objected to the plans as it says there is a lack of parking at the Steyne and ten flats would be an ‘overdevelopment’.

But planning officers said the building is ‘in a very sustainable location’ adding that residents ‘will not need cars to access shops and services’.

A parking assessment also suggested there was room for ‘overspill parking’.

Although there is little change to the outside, ‘extensive internal alterations’ are planned.

The council’s conservation officer said this would be ‘harmful’ but added that this could be considered ‘less than substantial harm’.

Isabel Thurston (Green, Barnham) disagreed, saying: “I object strongly to the harm that’s going to be done to the interior of this building, which was obviously one of the most precious in the town.

“I believe that, as the council, we should be protecting that – once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

More details can be found at the council’s planning portal using reference: BR/63/22/PL.