Revival plans officially unveiled for former House of Fraser site in Chichester

Developers are aiming to breathe new life into the former House of Fraser site, in West Street.

The proposals, put forward by West Tower Developments / Cordage Group – a Southbourne-based family business – have sought permission to convert the long-empty building into 87 flats, alongside new commercial space and townhouses. The scheme is intended to restore the site to active use and reinvigorate a key part of the city centre.

Four commercial units are proposed at street level, aiming to support retail or hospitality uses and maintain footfall in the city centre.

The Grade II-listed building has stood empty for seven years and occupies a prime location. Originally home to the historic Oliver Whitby School, it later became a retail site after the Second World War and was most recently used by House of Fraser from 1973 until its closure.

The development aims to preserve the site’s heritage while adapting the space for modern use.

Plans outline a mixed-use development, including four smaller retail units at ground level to help revive footfall along West Street, as well as two townhouses. A design and access statement highlights the importance of restoring ‘active frontages’ in an area that has seen a decline since the store shut.

As part of the redevelopment, more modern rear additions would be demolished and replaced with a new block of flats rising up to six storeys. The scheme places strong emphasis on heritage, with proposals aimed at revealing and preserving the site’s historic fabric by removing later 20th-century extensions and making the original buildings more legible.

At the centre of the development would be a landscaped courtyard, designed to provide shared outdoor space for residents while improving natural light throughout the site. Plans have evolved following consultation events held throughout 2024 and 2025, with feedback leading to a clearer distinction between old and new elements while respecting the surrounding conservation area.

Changes are also proposed for the former Eagle Inn pub, an 18th-century building on the corner of Tower Street. Under the plans, its upper floor would be converted into a two-bedroom flat, while the ground floor would return to commercial use.

The Cordage Group has said it is committed to restoring the much-loved site and delivering long-term benefits for the community. During early investigations, a significant archaeological discovery was made, with a mosaic dating back to Roman times uncovered on the site, further underlining its historical importance.

The developers also acknowledged concerns around parking, proposing the use of a Car Club space app to help manage demand and improve accessibility.

Following feedback, amendments were made to ensure that the viewing platform at the Novium Museum remains unaffected, preserving key views and the visitor experience.

Planning documents state that there was strong support for redeveloping the long-vacant building, with recognition of its potential to boost the local economy. A statement submitted with the application said the project would deliver ‘clear heritage, economic, environmental and social benefits’, transforming an ‘underperforming brownfield site into a vibrant, active and enduring part’ of the city centre.

The Grade II Listed building has been empty since January 2019. Bought by Interceptor Opportunities Ltd not long after the initial closure, the site has been marketed for residential, mixed use and business developments.

In August, the Cordage Group launched a public consultation proposing to transform the building into four commercial units and a series of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Cordage Group planning director Jake Russell has been leading the redevelopment of the site since 2024.

He said: “Following over 18 months of dedicated work, extensive consultation, and detailed design development, our team is pleased to announce the submission of a full planning application for the redevelopment of the former House of Fraser site. This application will see four smaller, more manageable commercial units, two townhouses and 87 apartments."

He essentially ruled out the idea of a hotel.

This comes after a Chichester organisation sought public feedback on a proposal to create a community-owned hotel in the building – with profits intended to support local creative industries.

The Chichester Creative Partnership’s founder, Ben Williams, said the idea was at a very early stage and aimed to gauge interest before moving forward.

“From the outset, our priority has been to bring forward a deliverable scheme shaped by community input and grounded in the real needs of Chichester,” Mr Russell said.

"During our comprehensive canvassing and public consultation, we found no local or commercial appetite for a hotel on the site.

"While suggestions for hotel use were raised by a small number of individuals, these ideas did not reflect the wider community’s views, nor the market reality. The submitted application therefore focuses on uses that are both viable and beneficial for the city.”

In his statement, Mr Russell said the Cordage Group’s ‘proposed scheme’ brings ‘significant benefits’ to Chichester, including, restoration of the building, delivery of high‑quality commercial units to ‘reinvigorate West Street’ and ‘boost local business activity. regeneration of a ‘long-vacant brownfield site’ and ‘improved public realm’ and a ‘safer, more vibrant’ city centre environment;

He added: “This application represents a realistic, community-led, and heritage‑sensitive vision, designed to breathe new life into one of Chichester’s most important landmark sites.

“We look forward to continuing our work with local residents, stakeholders, and the planning authority as the proposal progresses.”

Developers say the project will involve the removal of more recent 20th-century additions to reveal and better showcase historic facades. The design approach seeks to balance old and new, with new-build elements set around a courtyard while retaining key parts of the existing structure.

The developers say they are keen to begin construction as soon as possible, with the project expected to take around 12 months to complete once work is underway.

The application can be viewed via Chichester District Council’s planning portal using reference 26/00406/FUL.