Arun approves demolition work on Littlehampton eyesore

The empty former Arun housing offices in Church Street, Littlehampton

The Prince used the phrase almost 30 years ago to deride an extension proposed for London’s National Gallery, whereas Littlehampton’s version is a utilitarian addition to the handsome 1820s’ Manor House in Church Street, home to Littlehampton Town Council and the town museum.

Just over two years ago, Arun District Council housing staff vacated the 1960s block, which butts up against the Manor House, a listed building. It has remained empty, increasingly dilapidated and vulnerable to vandals and thieves who have broken in at least twice.

The site was acquired by the town council a year ago and it is hoped to build a community centre much more in keeping with its graceful neighbour, once the offices have been demolished.

This month, Arun’s development control committee approved the demolition of the office block and essential remedial work to the east elevation of the Manor House afterwards, as well as the use of the site as a temporary garden area.

Joyce Bowyer, councillor for Brookfield ward, and also a town councillor, said vandals who had broken into the empty offices had also damaged the Manor House by taking lead off its roof.

She welcomed the empty block’s demolition. “It needs to be taken down as soon as possible. It can’t be used for anything else.”

Yapton councillor Stephen Haymes agreed: “The only list this building should be on is the demolition list, and it should be at the top of it.”

The draft Neighbourhood Plan for Littlehampton includes a policy for a new community centre with up to 750 sq m internal floorspace to be built on the site.

That would, in turn, free up the Dairy Community Centre, which the town council also owns, just across the road, to be redeveloped as a site for 15 homes, in the next five years.

The town council paid Arun a six-figure sum for the offices, having to increase its bid after its first offer was refused.

The block, built in 1968, was designed by the now defunct Littlehampton Urban District Council’s architects department.