Decision deferred on pop-up food businesses along Littlehampton’s seafront

The committee met virtually on Tuesday (May 26) to consider changing the use of land at the coach park on Banjo Road and on the promenade by the lighthouse.

The application was submitted by the council itself and originally included five sites, with three on the promenade.

The idea attracted 65 letters of objection from members of the public, and some of the committee had concerns of their own.

The impact such pop-up businesses would have on local firms, especially coming out of the Covid-19 crisis, was one of the main points raised.

In a letter to the committee, David Weir of the East Beach Residents’ Association, said: “If these businesses are to recover, the last thing they need is cheap competition coming in and stealing their business.”

Mr Weir also felt the pitches would ‘destroy the unspoiled character of Littlehampton seafront’.

Officers disagreed, saying it was a ‘complementary use of the promenade’ and not something that aimed to compete with existing businesses.

Members had a string of questions for the officers, including what the knock-on effect of losing part of the coach park would be, especially at the height of the tourist season; whether the pitches would be charged a premium rent to reflect their premium position; and whether it was safe to have a pitch so close to the river.

With not enough answers available and members edging towards turning down their own application, Ricky Bower (Con, East Preston) stepped in.

He said: “I’ve got some considerable concerns about us as a council dealing with a council  planning application and potentially refusing it.

“It would be an enormous embarrassment.”

Mr Bower recommended deferring the plans until they could be considered by the Littlehampton Regeneration Committee, where questions unrelated to planning matters could be asked.

The committee agreed by 13 votes to two.

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