Penthouse apartments above Chichester Job Centre approved

Developers already have permission to convert empty office space on the first and second floors of 5-6 Southgate into 26 residential flats under permitted development rights. Work has already started on site with scaffolding set up.

A separate application to build five penthouse apartments on the roof of the building has been approved by Chichester District Council officers.

Chichester City Council did not raise any objections, while the Chichester Society said it ‘supports the improvement of the appearance of this tired office building’, but also asked for the materials used in the overcladding to be submitted and assessed.

Meanwhile one supportive resident wrote: “Nice looking proposal which will help improve the aesthetic of the Southern Gateway.”

There is a large amount of plant on the roof, mainly on the edges of the building, which will be demolished to make way for the new flats.

The height of the penthouse level would not exceed that of the existing rooftop plant.

While the plant is flush with the facade, the proposed apartments would be set back to reduce the visual impact from street level.

According to the applicant the existing building has a ‘bland appearance’ due to the monotony of the horizontal cladding treatments and poor condition of the windows, concrete and roof features.

The application describes the driver for the scheme is to create a well-proportioned building that better relates to its key city centre gateway location and is conceived as a ‘contemporary interpretation of the contextual language of South Street’.

It adds: “The overall effect is a dynamic building that emphasises the entrance to Chichester city centre for visitors arriving on foot or by car.”

No extra parking is provided on top of that agreed for the 26 flats, with 11 unallocated spaces and one disabled use space planned.

On top of that 18 cycle parking spaces would also be provided.

Council officers acknowledged the nature of the proposals would increase the massing of the building, but they felt the design was acceptable, would enhance its appearance, preserve the character of the area and not have an adverse impact on nearby listed buildings.

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