Plans to convert Lancing office block into flats opposed by council officers

The Quadrant, in Malborough Road, Lancing Business Park, has been sub divided into 12 smaller office suits and has a high level of occupancy.

The Baron Homes Corporation wants to convert the office space into homes to create 53 new flats under permitted development rights.

An application is due to be discussed by Adur District Council’s planning committee on Monday November 9, with officers recommending refusal.

Lancing Parish Council has objected on the grounds it would be an inappropriate and unsuitable use to have residential units on a lively business park.

Representations have also been received from the Lancing Business Park BID, Adur and Worthing Business Partnership, Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce and the Coastal West Sussex Economic Partnership.

A total of 25 letters of objection have been received from occupiers of neighbouring business premises and residents.

They raise concerns about the introduction of residential housing into a commercial business park and the impact this might have, the loss of business floorspace and associated loss of jobs and the poor quality living environment for the occupiers of the new flats.

Tim Loughton, East Worthing and Shoreham MP, has also raised concerns about the loss of ‘valuable’ business space in Adur, adding: “It is difficult to see how such an intensity of residential dwellings can sit alongside business premises where there is no restriction on hours of operation.”

However, in their planning report, officers state how matters such as loss of employment land are not criteria against which proposals can be assessed under the prior notification process.

But they suggest the proposal is unacceptable on noise grounds due to the likely impact from the surrounding commercial premises.

The scheme includes improvements to the facade of the building with secondary glazing and mechanical ventilation.

But the physical characteristics of the building increase the risk of overheating. The council’s environmental health officer believes that the inability of residents to open their windows without suffering noise disturbance would create an ‘unacceptably oppressive residential environment’.