The Arun District Council planning committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 15 October 2025 to discuss two planning applications and a list of appeals. The meeting will be held at the Arun Civic Centre in Littlehampton. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Planning Application: The Arcade, Bognor Regis

The committee will consider a planning application for The Arcade, a covered shopping arcade in Bognor Regis. The application, BR/97/25/PL, proposes a partial change of use from Class E¹ to 35 residential units (Class C3²), partial demolition, new retail and residential spaces, minor changes to existing elevations, a new entrance from Belmont Street, and the installation of solar panels.

The planning application report notes that the site is in a commercial area with residential accommodation above commercial premises, close to the Bognor Regis Town Hall and Bognor Regis and District War Memorial, both Grade II Listed buildings. It also adjoins the curtilage of Belmont Lodge, a non-designated Heritage Asset.

Bognor Regis Town Council has raised no objection to the plans, but would like to understand why no provision for affordable housing has been included.

One objection received suggests that the south elevation to Belmont Street should be re-thought to incorporate elements that relate to the Regency neighbouring building Belmont Lodge and celebrate the Edwardian Arcade.

The council's Economic Development team supports the application, saying that the proposal is supported by Local Plan policies EMP SP1, RET SP1 and RET DM1, and that The Arcade is complementary to the new Alexandra Theatre; Premier Inn and wider Esplanade works.

The council's Conservation Officer states that the conversion into an active use is positive but the design of the new elements are problematical and will cause harm to the non-designated heritage asset (The Arcade).

The report notes that the site is within the Built-Up Area Boundary, predominantly in Flood Zone 1, but the southern frontage is within Flood Zones 2 and 3. It is also within 2km of the Bognor Reef SSSI.

The report concludes that the proposal accords with the relevant Arun Local Plan policy and with the NPPF guidance on the efficient use of land.

The report also notes that the applicants provided a parking report which utilises data from public car park occupancy surveys undertaken on behalf of Arun during February and March 2025 as part of a wider exercise on parking provision. The report states:

The parking demand could be accommodated by spare capacity in the Regis Centre, Gloucester Road, and Fitzleet Multistorey car parks, all of which are within 500m of The Arcade.

The report recommends that the Planning Committee delegate the decision to the Group Head of Planning, with authority to grant permission subject to conditions and the satisfactory completion of a unilateral legal agreement to secure a financial contribution for Pagham Harbour.

Planning Application: 6 Highfield Road, Bognor Regis

The committee will also consider a retrospective planning application, BR/145/25/PL, for the retention of a change of use from one flat to a four-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) ³ (Class C4) at 6 Highfield Road in Bognor Regis.

Bognor Regis Town Council has objected to the application, stating that it would result in a proliferation and overconcentration of such uses in an area with an Article 4 direction[^5] which removed permitted development rights for C3 to C4 changes.

Two letters of objection from neighbours cite on-street parking issues, the state of the front garden, and the condition of the bike store.

The council's Private Sector Housing team has no objection, stating that an HMO licence application has been submitted and an inspection has been carried out, and that other than some minor works that are needed, the property is suitable to be used as an HMO.

Natural England has requested further information, stating that the site is within the zone of influence for recreational pressure impacts to a European Site (habitats sites).

The report notes that the site is within the Built Up Area Boundary, is subject to an Article 4 Direction relating to HMOs, and is within Pagham Harbour Zone B.

The report concludes that the proposal is considered to comply with relevant Development Plan policies in that the proposal accords with policy surrounding HMOs and will not have significantly negative impact on the character of the area or neighbours.

The report recommends conditional approval of the application.

Planning Appeals

The committee will also review a list of planning appeals that are awaiting a decision. These include appeals against decisions relating to:

• Land West of Bewley Road Angmering
• Hanger Down House Priory Lane Arundel
• 52 Torton Hill Road Arundel
• Sparks Yard 18 Tarrant Street Arundel
• Rabbit Island Rear of 84 Brooks Lane Bognor Regis
• 17 High Street Bognor Regis
• Land South of 3 Grange Park Ferring
• 50 Ocean Drive Ferring
• 78 Wick Street Littlehampton
• 3 Toddington Lane Littlehampton
• Rustington Manor Hotel And Restaurant 12 Broadmark Lane Rustington
• Longacre The Street Walberton
• Land to the North of Lake Lane Barnham
• Land at Yapton Road Barnham
• Flat 1 , 4 Nelson road Bognor regis
• Pavilion Bungalow Hook Lane Bognor Regis
• 1 Somerset Gardens Bognor Regis
• Lagnersh Campsite Lower Bognor Road Pagham
• 18a Durban Road Bognor Regis
• 79 Lincoln Avenue Rose Green Aldwick
• Land off Highground Lane Barnham
• 27 North Ham Road Littlehampton
• Merry England Nursery Dappers Lane Angmering
• Land North of Brooks Lane (Rabbit Island) Felpham