Plea to list historic Bognor building

A government minister has been asked to stop an historic Bognor Regis building being destroyed.

Secretary of state for culture, Olympics, media and sport Jeremy Hunt has received a request from town councillors to list Belmont Lodge.

The 19th-century building on Belmont Street was the home of leading Impressionist painter and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti in 1875/76.

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His association with the site has earned it one of the town's blue plaques, but the building could soon be replaced by a block of flats.

Giving the building listed status would provide it with extra protection against development, but it would not offer total preservation.

Cllr Paul Wells said action should be taken to stop the redevelopment.

"If this was Chichester, this would not be happening," he said. "This town is being ripped to shreds.

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"We need to put our foot down about this. Why do we keep allowing our town to be turned into more flats and one-bedroom bedsits?

"Clearly the building does not serve the needs of the business which is in there, but it could be used for other purposes.

"There must be something which does not involve destroying the building or the character of the building."

Cllr Ken Scutt described the possible loss of the lodge '“ used as solicitors' offices '“ as a great shame. He said it was built in 1811.

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Henry Adams Planning has applied for outline planning permission to redevelop the existing office accommodation and parking area with 13 two-bedroom flats with parking.

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