Community workshop space at Shop 2 Colonnade House, 1 - 3 High Street, Worthing

What was proposed

The application sought to change a former restaurant into a community workshop and meeting space, without internal changes apart from boarding up the old kitchen.

“Proposal: Change of Use from restaurant (Use Class E) to a community workshop and meeting space (Use Class F2(b)) .”

“Proposal The application proposes the change of use of a former restaurant/takeaway to community workspace and meeting place. There are no internal changes proposed as part of this application with the old kitchen area being boarded up. The application is brought to Committee for determination as it is a Council-owned site and the use would be operated by the Adur and Worthing Trust (AWT), whose statement below, describes the intended operation.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application for a mixed-use development including a creative hub, flats and associated facilities was withdrawn.

“AWDM/0141/21- Full planning permission for the demolition of 2-7 High Street and 52 Ann Street and creation of a mixed use development comprising 6.no residential flats with roof terrace (C3 Use Class) and a new Digital and Creative Hub consisting of office and meeting room space (Use Class E), reception areas, art studios…”

Officer report

The officer recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the community use would revive an empty town-centre unit while preserving the building, conservation area and neighbouring amenity.

“The site was previously used as a restaurant/takeaway but is currently vacant. Community uses are appropriate town centre activities within accessible locations as part of the mix within secondary frontages. The proposed community use would bring back a building into use within the town centre within an area with a mixed range of commercial uses.”

“The proposed change of use is an acceptable town centre use which re-invigerates an empty unit without impact on the character of the building, the conservation area or neighbouring amenity.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The highways authority and environmental health officer raised no objections, while no public representations were received.

“West Sussex County Council: No objection from a transport/highways aspect.”

“Adur & Worthing Councils: Environmental Health officer:”

Officer report

Who spoke

One registered speaker spoke on behalf of the Worthing Society in support of the application.

Members’ discussion

Members welcomed the proposal’s arts benefits and considered expanding Colonnade House positive because those opportunities are less widely offered in schools.

“Members concurred that they welcomed this application and felt that it offered something that is no longer widely offered in our schools in the arts field. They agreed that Colonnade house had already been a huge success and so its expansion could only be a positive thing.”

Minutes

The vote

Members proposed, seconded and unanimously supported accepting the officer recommendation and approving the application.

“A proposal was put forward to accept the officers recommendation and approve the application. This was seconded and voted in favour of unanimously.”

Minutes