Concerns over plans to convert Horsham town centre office block into flats

Proposals have been put forward to convert the offices - Sussex House next to the Capitol Theatre in North Street - into 39 apartments.

Planning approval has already been given for 20 flats, but a new application has now been submitted to Horsham District Council for permission to add two new floors to the building.

Owner Paul Craig also wants to put a private gym on the ground floor, along with another flat, new entranceway, balconies and car parking area.

But residents living nearby are concerned at the proposals. They fear that the flats will generate extra traffic and say there are insufficient parking spaces in the area.

In a letter to the council, one reident said: “The potential overspill parking will put added pressure on our neighbourhood. We all struggle to find parking that we pay dearly for as it is.

“Additionally the increased traffic is not desirable. There are a lot of children, elderly and citizens with special needs in this neighbourhood and the motor traffic is already too fast and frequent as it stands. We don’t need more.”

Another said: “There are major issues with parking in the area already and adding these flats and gym will only serve to exacerbate the current issues.”

Some residents are also concerned that their properties will be overlooked by the flats.