Public Notice Portal round-up: New homes to fund repairs to Worthing cottage ravaged by fire, more new homes in Yapton, and alterations at Shoreham's town church

• The owner of an historic Worthing cottage that was ravaged by fire has submitted plans to build two new houses to fund repairs to the Grade II listed building.

The applications state the new properties on land to the west of the cottage would fund the repairs, and there would be no money to do so otherwise.

Rodway Planning Consultancy Limited has made planning and listed building applications on behalf of Mr Drew Bailey for Thatch Cottage, Pond Lane, Durrington.

Permission is sought to build two semi-detached, three-bedroom houses on land to the west side of Thatch Cottage, and to repair the fire-damaged listed building to leave it completely restored.

Thatch Cottage was severely damaged by fire on February 1, 2023. It remains in a state of ruin and the site has become completely overgrown, vandalised and used for fly tipping.

Manorwood has designed a scheme using the principle of the minimum level of new housing needed to generate sufficient funds to save the listed building.

The Heritage Statement says: "The owner has no financial means of funding their legal requirement to repair the cottage, nor their desire to rebuild and move back into their home.

"They hope to agree a scheme with Adur & Worthing Councils, whereby funds would be generated through the development of the site, to reinstate the house and return it to its optimum viable use."

It goes on to say: "It is difficult to envisage a successful, publicly beneficial future for the listed building, should there be immovable opposition to a pragmatic, admittedly compromising solution."

The application shows a subdivision of the existing plot and the enlargement of existing car parking to the east side, to provide a shared parking area.

The application for listed building consent includes the reinstatement of the thatch roof and associated internal and external restoration works.

• Plans to alter Shoreham's town church to ensure it 'better fits the 21st century' include new automatic doors and improved access.

Toilets would be introduced for the first time in the Grade I listed church, with the majority of the works taking place within the vestry.

Manorwood has submitted a planning application to Adur District Council on behalf of the Church Of St Mary De Haura, in Shoreham town centre.

Ben Kirk, managing director of Manorwood, states in a covering letter that the works are part of a wider programme for the reconfiguration of the south transept interior and introduction of toilet facilities.

Plans include replacement doors to the south transept, installation of an external post within the grounds of the church to mount a button to automate the doors and installation of below-ground drainage to allow for the installation of toilet facilities. The aim is to enhance the accessibility and usability of the space.

The heritage statement says: "The works are underpinned by the desire to enhance accessibility, facilities available and the user experience of the church alongside the need to respect the church, its historic form and fabric, its decoration and its general special interest as a heritage asset. This special interest, or significance, is very high."

• The charity that owns the original Worthing Soup Kitchen has applied for permission for the building to be used as offices.

Provident House, in Grafton Road, is a single-storey brick building that was originally Worthing Soup Kitchen, constructed by Worthing Provident Relief Society around 1892.

More recently, it was used as an independent special school and offices until 2020, and the building has been empty ever since. Worthing Borough Council had approved a retrospective application for change of use to a non-residential institution for education in January 2011.

Owner Humphrys Almshouses, a charitable incorporated organisation, has not been able to let the building as a private school. This was confirmed by estate agent Spratt and Son, which confirmed alternative uses should be considered.

Lewis & Co Planning has submitted a planning application on behalf of the trustees for change of use of the entire building to commercial, business and service use. The application states it would provide valuable small office space for SMEs in a highly-sustainable town centre location.

The planning and heritage statement says this would deliver a good-quality new office or similar employment-generating space.

• Ware Properties Limited has applied for permission to build four town houses with gardens and parking spaces in Yapton.

The Downview Road site is described as 'neglected garden', facing on to Burndell Road. Comments to be made by March : 26.

• The Riverwood Centre, in Yapton Lane, Walberton, has applied to extend the use of a temporary marquee for a further three years. This would require a variation of Condition 1, previously imposed. Comments to be made by March 26.

You can keep up to date with all the latest information on planning proposals, traffic notices, goods vehicle operator licences, premises licensing, licences to sell alcohol and probate notices in your area at publicnoticeportal.uk