Convenience store’s delivery plans for Aldwick’s Ship Inn refused

Campaigners fighting to reopen the Ship Inn as a pub pictured last year. Pic by Steve Robards

The building, which is currently empty, was briefly run as a Morrisons and there are plans to re-open it as a One Stop store.

In January, a request to increase the number of deliveries made to the proposed store from 21 to 36 each week was deferred by Arun District Council’s development control committee due to road safety concerns.

They asked for an independent road safety audit to be carried out and for more information on vehicle tracking.

The audit and information were provided – but most members were still not happy with the impact the delivery lorries would have on the relatively narrow road.

During a virtual meeting on Wednesday (June 3), they added congestion to their concerns and refused the application.

Their decision left two local groups ‘immensely pleased’.

The Friends of the Ship Inn and The Aldwick Community Society have been raising money in the hope of buying back the building and reopening it as a pub and restaurant.

Society chairman Roger Beam said: “It restores one’s faith in local government democracy.

“Let’s be clear; what One Stop want to do is dangerous, selfish and demonstrates an utter disregard for the local community in Aldwick.

“They want to open an unwanted store on the site of the Ship Inn and service it with articulated lorries parking up on Aldwick Street to unload for half an hour a time.”

He added: “We applaud all the members who voted to reject this terrible proposal and go against their officers’ rules-based advice. Common sense prevailed instead.”

While locals may be happy with the result, the battle may not yet be over.

An appeal against the decision is likely and council solicitor Caroline Perry said failure to produce evidence to support the refusal would likely lead to costs against the council if that appeal was lost.

CAMPAIGN TO BUY SITE

The Aldwick Community Society plans to kick start its campaign to raise the money to buy the Ship Inn site.

The plan is to re-open the building as a pub and restaurant.

Shares have been sold at upwards of £100 with anyone who buys them listed as an owner of the business.

Chairman Roger Beam said: “The coronavirus epidemic stalled our share issue in March because of lockdown and social distancing.

“We are a long way from our minimum target of £450,000 but we are determined to do it.

“It will only be with the help of Aldwick residents and businesses, and beyond. So we appeal to everybody to go to our website www.theshipinnaldwick.co.uk buy shares, and help us bring back a valuable community asset.”

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