History under threat

Developers have applied to build 28 flats on the site of the Littlehampton Sports Social and Railway Club in Terminus Road, which includes a historic ostlers' room highlighted by the Sussex Heritage Trust as of "considerable historic interest".

The room dates back to 1845 and was used by grooms who looked after travellers' horses when the site was a coaching inn.

Since it was first re-discovered in 2001, social historian and River Road resident Jeannie Millington began a campaign to save it, gathering support from Arun District Council and Littlehampton Town Council.

Both the councils, along with the Lavinia Norfolk Family Trust and the Cluttons family, donated money for the refurbishments, but although work had started, it has not been completed and the money looks set to be returned if the flats plan goes ahead.

Jeannie warned: "Littlehampton is turning into 'any town'. We have lost too many vernacular working places and the town is fast becoming bland and characterless.

"This ostlers' room is a small but important part of our social history and you can't know your future without knowing your past."

The four-storey building planned for the site would incorporate nine one-bedroom and 19 two-bedroom flats and an outside courtyard area.

In plans submitted to the council, the developer's agents, Miller Hughes Associates, described the proposed flats as providing "comfortable spaces well-suited to the needs of those living in the urban environment".

The proposal also stated: "The development will serve to enhance the visual aspect of the existing built environment, replacing a structure which is becoming increasingly dilapidated and which is of minimal architectural value."

The agents are also overseeing the construction of flats at the former cinema next door to the Railway Club building and at the former Holmes Campbell solicitors at 1, Arundel Road, on the corner of Terminus Road.

A spokesman for Miller Hughes Associates said: "There was a small flint structure on the site attached to the back of the Railway Club.

"This was well within the boundary of the site and in a derelict and run-down condition.

"Although none of the buildings are listed, in preparing the scheme efforts were made to retain it but, because of its siting and condition, this was not viable."

He added: "Our intention is to promote regeneration of this part of Littlehampton and provide homes for people to live in."

But Jeannie disagrees and said she will be writing to Arun's planners to implore them to save the ostlers' room if the flats are granted planning permission.

The site is currently owned by the Littlehampton Sports Social and Railway Club, which has been forced to sell up after suffering a decline in membership over the past few years.

Bob Belding, the club's secretary, said: "We can't afford to stay here anymore but we are hoping to find somewhere else to meet.

"We need a smaller premises with lower overheads that we can afford to run."