Historic Elm Tree Stores all set for major conversion

Mr Tobin has received outline planning permission for up to 250,000-worth of changes to the 18th-century Shelley House and Elm Tree Stores.

The decision accepts in principle a proposal to convert the disused Shelley House into two flats and to create six flats above the shop and in a first-floor extension.

The shop will also be extended by 60sq m to move the post office into a self-contained unit and provide a separate staff room. The shop's floor level will be raised to prevent flooding in future.

Shelley House and Elm Tree Stores are sited at the junction of Church Lane and Nyton Road. They are situated within the Eastergate conservation area to reflect their importance to the village's heritage.

Mr Tobin told Arun District Council's development control committee he had run the stores and post office since 1997. They served 800-900 customers a week.

"The building has been a shop for 160 years and it's being overtaken by decay and requires extensive repairs and remodelling works," he said.

The changes would provide more room for shoppers and the modern point-of-sale equipment they expected.

Shelley House had been empty for four years because it was unfit to live in, he stated. It would require extensive work to create suitable living accommodation.

He understood some residents' concerns about parking around the buildings on their triangular site if the changes went ahead. Nine parking spaces have been provided for those living in the flats.

But he added: "There have been no serious accidents or reports of bad parking in my time at the store. The majority of my customers are in the shop for less than five minutes. They come and go frequently."

Cllr Jean Goad (Barnham) said she was satisfied with the amount of parking provided. "Parking is a concern of local residents but I believe Mr Tobin has made arrangements so it should not cause a problem," she stated.

Cllr Colin Oliver-Redgate added: "This is a very conscientious development which suits the needs of the people in the local community and Mr Tobin deserves to be commended."

Eight letters of objection to Mr Tobin's proposals were received by Arun. They stated that multiple occupation was out of keeping with the area and the increased parking would be a problem.

In support, the council received four letters which backed the store's extension and supporting the tidying-up of the conservation area.

Council planning officer Jonathan Parsons said: "It is considered the proposal is a good use of the existing space to provide residential accommodation at the same time as extending the shop facilities and refurbishing the empty property which is listed.

"Visually, the design is sensitively designed in keeping with the listed building.

"It is considered a visual enhancement to the south and west elevations within the conservation area."

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP