Outrage over plans to build in grounds of Rustington landmark

The move to create 47 flats and houses in the green space surrounding the Rustington Convalescent Home has been met with horror from villagers and historians.

Our aerial picture by Malcolm McCluskey above illustrates the extent of the green space in the grounds of the Sea Road home, which is widely regarded as one of the village's prime buildings.

A planning application has been submitted to Arun District council by Barrett Southern Counties.

Harry Clark, chairman of the Rustington Heritage Association, said that the group would be against any development that would detract from the building, which was built in 1897 as a convalescent home for working men.

"It is one of our prime buildings, we just can't have homes in front of it. It is a diabolical idea, and one that the association will in all probability object to," he said.

The home was built by Sir Henry Harben, president of the Prudential Assurance Company, and a master of the Carpenters' Company. After his death in 1911, the Carpenters' Company took over the trust, which it still manages today.

*For the full story, see this week's Littlehampton Gazette, on sale now.

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