Charity retail and storage at 3 Meadow Road, Depot Meadow Road, Worthing

What was proposed

The application sought continued retail and storage use in Units 2 and 3 alongside their existing industrial and storage use.

“Proposal: Change of use from industrial /storage (Class B2/B8) to industrial /storage and retail (Class B2/B8 and Class E)”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contains two warehouses, car parking and loading areas near housing and business units, with access from Meadow Road.

“The application relates to a pair of conjoined warehouse buildings (Units 2 & 3) on the north side of Meadow Road opposite the entrance to a modern development of terraced houses in Seagrass Close. Units 1-3 are owned by the Council, formerly comprising the Council depot. Since 2004, Units 1 & 2 have been in use by Guildcare, a local charity, for storage, retail use, recycling and vehicle storage, the site has become known as ‘The Greenhouse Donation Centre’.”

“Meadow Road has a high proportion of housing, including houses close to the southern and eastern boundary of the site. There are also extensive business units to the west, which form the Meadow Road Trading Estate.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended five years because the use provides employment and recycling benefits, a suitable alternative site was not found, and redevelopment remains intended.

“The Council's Property & Investment Manager confirms that whilst redevelopment for employment remains the ultimate goal, the prospects of long term employment-use tenants is hindered by the condition of the building and its external shared spaces with Council services. In this context, the proposed use provides a good employment density and maintains a secure site pending redevelopment.”

Officer report

Who spoke

One registered speaker supported the recommended five-year permission and said parking capacity had increased by ten spaces.

Members’ debate

Members discussed traffic, parking and disabled parking, and sought a site traffic plan covering access, movement, loading and parking.

“Members were concerned about traffic management on and around the site and the Officer confirmed that West Sussex County Council considered the Travel Plan Statement was reasonable, encouraging staff and volunteers to travel to and from the site using sustainable forms of transport. Space was also available for cycle parking.”

“During debate members agreed that whilst they had concerns about parking outside the site they recognised that these were not issues that Guild Care had control over. However they thought it favourable to increase the amount of disabled parking on the site and felt that an amendment to condition 6 prescribing that the internal traffic plan be re visited and ways of improving it explored.”

Minutes

The vote

Members unanimously supported the officers’ recommendation to grant a five-year permission.

“A proposal was put forward to accept the Officers recommendation and grant a 5 year permission. This was seconded and voted in favour of unanimously…”

Minutes