The developer who has bought the ancient building in St Julian's Lane, Shoreham, applied for listed building consent to pull it down and to build five two-bedroom town houses on the site.

But Adur council's planning committee members said at a meeting on Monday (June 30) that they were appalled that the owners wanted to demolish the barn and that the design of the homes was poor.

Adur councillor Pat Beresford said: "The barn was put up for sale by the council with all the information about it being listed and its fragile state.

"When you buy such a building there are the responsibilities which go with owning it."

Adur independent councillor Liza McKinney speaking to the committee said: "I was appalled when I heard about the intention to pull it down. This important historic building can be preserved. The old tollbridge which is a wooden listed structure is being restored. The barn should be turned into a community facility."

Local businesswoman and resident Sibella Pannell bought the building for £306,000 when it was put up for sale at auction last summer by its owner, Adur District Council.

Ms Pannell said the barn was in an extremely poor state of repair when she and her partner became its new owners.

"It was our original intention to preserve the existing structure, but after appointing professional consultants to survey the structure, it was found to be in such a poor state of repair, largely owing to lack of maintenance in the past.

"The only viable option would be to remove the entire roof structure."

But council officers said the argument for demolition was not clear enough and when it was marketed at auction, the local authority wanted to see it repaired and refurbished.

-------------------------------------
Click here to go back to Shoreham news.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: letters@shorehamherald.co.uk