Yapton pub saved from demolition

Orchard Homes and Developments wanted to demolish the 200-year-old Lamb Inn and build 14 houses in its place.

But Arun District Council’s development control committee voted by nine votes to nil, with two abstentions, to refuse planning permission.

The committee said the proposal was too cramped for the Bilsham Road plot and argued that some of the houses’ front doors would have opened directly on to the pavement.

Councillors were also concerned that the scheme would have an overbearing impact on the neighbouring Well House.

Their refusal at last Wednesday’s (July 25) meeting follows their decision to defer the vote at the previous meeting for talks to be held with Orchard Homes.

Arun councillor Stephen Haymes, who is also the chairman of Yapton Parish Council, said: “I can’t see what the negotiations have done.

“There is still going to be a building a metre from Well House and yet there’s a big gap on the other side of the development.

“There are also six front doors going onto the footpath.

“When The Lamb was built 200 years ago, there would have been one horse and cart a day going past.

“Now, there are lorries, buses and cars.”

Councillor Ricky Bower said: “It’s the layout which is at fault. That is why I’m voting against it.

“I don’t like the frontages so close to the highway. There are no front gardens or anywhere to park vehicles. It does not fit in with the character of the area.”

The council had received a 115-name petition to save The Lamb Inn, as well as 49 individual letters of objection and protests from Yapton Parish Council and the Campaign for Real Ale.

Council planning officer Alex Sebbinger told the committee the current pub building bore little resemblance to the original structure.

“The building is not of any significant quality as to justify retaining it. It’s not of a quality to be listed and that is important,” he said.

“The overall quality of the building has been significantly compromised by conversions.”

The site was just outside the built-up area boundary of Yapton, so development was unacceptable in principle. But it could be justified by helping to maintain the five-year supply of housing land which the council needed.