Revised plans to use former Bognor care facility to house agricultural workers

Arun District Council refused an application for a change of use for the former Royal Bay Residential Home in Aldwick Road last month.

Recruitment company Pro-Force wanted permission to house 80 seasonal agricultural workers for a period of 12 months.

Council planning officers felt the plans would result in a ‘substantial increase of population in an already densely populated area’.

They also raised concerns about a lack of private amenity spaces for the occupiers as well as the already ‘severe’ parking problems in the vicinity.

The application has now been resubmitted, with the maximum number of residents reduced to 58.

The accommodation would be divided into ‘cohorts’. Any central facilities operated in accordance with an agreed method statement ensuring that social distancing between each cohort is achieved.

According to the application: “As a result of the reduced numbers of residents, additional internal spaces will be allocated as lounges and social areas.

“This will enhance the amenity provision for residents as well as facilitating the current requirement for segregating workers into cohorts for adherence to Covid-19 guidelines. Communal areas will be provided on each floor.”

Transport arrangements for workers have been revised.

Workers would be transported to their places of work by minibus, with a reduced number of occupants per bus to enable social distancing. There will be between six and nine minibus movements in the morning and the same in the afternoon.

There would also be a ‘small number’ of staff vehicles accessing the site.

The applicant also has issues with the council considering the scheme against its House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) policy and describes it instead as a ‘bespoke application for accommodation for agricultural workers submitted by a specialist recruitment company that has an impressive track record and reputation for providing high quality temporary accommodation for key worker who fulfil the Government’s definition of critical workers’.

The application concludes: “It is considered that the amendments that have been made to the proposal are more than sufficient to address the concerns of consultees, neighbours and the reasons for refusal.”

To comment visit www.arun.gov.uk/weekly-lists using code BR/213/20/PL.

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