Concern Over New Worthing Seafront Development

Plans to turn a seafront shelter in Worthing into two new restaurants could go ahead if the developer makes key changes to its designs.

Permission to transform the shelter, which sits opposite the Marine Parade and West Buildings junction in Worthing,  into a two-storey French restaurant was granted in November, 2019.

However, ‘due to the impacts of the pandemic on the hospitality industry’ owner Nextcolour Ltd says it wants to house two different restaurants on the site instead of one.

The developer has now ‘pre-let’ the site to chains The Lounges and Hub Box, which would share the building.

Former bidder Bistrot Pierre has now pulled out – a decision which CEO Nick White said he was ‘incredibly disappointed’ about.

Mr White said:

“Bistrot Pierre has many seafront locations, including one in nearby Eastbourne, so we are incredibly disappointed that we are no longer involved in this development as we were looking forward to opening in Worthing.

“We feel our brand is the perfect fit for the town but unfortunately this particular development no longer works for us as we were looking to take the whole site, so we’re currently evaluating other options.”

During a meeting of Worthing Borough Council’s planning committee last Wednesday (August 25), members gave permission for the chair and head of planning to approve the new double restaurant. This was conditional on the developer submitting amended designs which respond to concerns.

Officers explained the need for amended designs, saying:

“The key issue is whether the revised design is acceptable given the prominent location of the building in the conservation area and its relationship with heritage assets.”

In a report, the council’s conservation architect said that turning the site into two separate restaurants would have a ‘greater footprint’ and new designs showed ‘significant changes to the elevations’.

They said the designs ‘negatively alter’ the surrounding conservation area, adding:

“It is a pity in this instance that the applicants did not engage with planning and heritage officers at WBC prior to submitting this application.”

Susan Belton, chair of the Worthing Society, voiced similar concerns about the increased size of the premises during the meeting.

She said:

“This application seeks significant changes to the use and appearance of the building and would set a precedent in a conservation area.

“Although there are some improvements, in our view a decision of this importance should not be made in a hurry. There should be a full planning application and consultation.”

Geraint John, of Geraint John Planning Ltd, spoke in favour of the application.

He explained:

“The additional unit is a key requirement in terms of the scheme’s viability. The applicant has worked, and continues to work, with officers to provide a design which is acceptable in every respect.

“The property will much improve the visitor offer and will provide 80 jobs in peak season.”

Mr John explained that the size of the venue will need to increase to allow for social distancing as well as two kitchen and food preparation areas instead of the one originally planned.

The Worthing Society had previously expressed concerns that the number of covers was not included in the new plans but Mr John said this would not be ‘materially different’.

Further detailed plans were submitted ‘at the last minute’ by the applicant but  councillor Helen Silman (Lab, Heene) said the committee had not had a chance to ‘fully digest them’.

She said:

It is concerning that we have only seen the plans in the last 24 hours and as a committee we have had no opportunity to fully digest them.

“We need to see the detail of it before it is approved.”

Kevin Jenkins (Con, Gaisford) said:

“These amended plans responded to our officers seeking to improve the design.

“We are just looking at a subdivision into two [restaurants] instead of one and we have got to support the developer to bring this forward.

“With the developments over the last 18 months it would have been very easy to walk away and not bring this forward.”

Ms Silman tabled a motion to delay the decision but the planning committee did not accept this and chose to delegate approval subject to receiving amended designs.

More details about this application can be found at the Worthing Borough Council planning portal using reference: AWDM/1303/19.