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Controversial plans for redeveloping St Mary's Hall, Shoreham, which were rejected by Adur Council, are back on the table for reconsideration.
The scheme, affecting East Street (facing St Mary's Church) and New Road, was thrown out following objections by the Shoreham Society and many individual local residents, but the developers have appealed against the decision.
The appeal is to be heard by the planning inspectorate of the Environment Department.
The society's objections were based on concerns about the appropriateness of what was proposed in such an important and historic conservation area. The society maintained that the developers had failed to address earlier objections raised by the public, English Heritage and Adur Council.
Councillors on the planning committee voted seven to one against the revised plan.
For a more detailed critique of why the proposed development was considered unacceptable, click here.
The historic Marlipins Museum in Shoreham has a new group of supporters who plan to revitalise the facility and raise much-needed funds for it.
Its owners, the Sussex Archaeological Society, called a meeting to explore ideas for improving the museum, which is housed in possibly the oldest secular building in Sussex and highlights the history of Shoreham, especially its maritime and cinematic history.
The new group, the Friends of the Marlipins Museum, was set up and an interim committee was elected to start work on preparing a constitution and proposing future arrangements.
Further information is available from the SAS trustee who is taking responsibility for this development, Prof Jeffery Leigh, on 01273 596292 or by email here.
A campaign to restore the decaying 19th Century Shoreham Fort is being stepped up, with an urgent appeal for volunteers and fundraising.
The fort at the eastern end of Shoreham Beach is in serious disrepair and experts have warned that the ancient structure is in danger of collapse unless urgent work is carried out.
The Friends of Shoreham Fort is mounting a fundraising campaign and the Shoreham Port Authority, which owns the land, says it is keen to see the monument safeguarded.
Click here for more information about the fort and the campaign to save it.
Proposals for transport improvements in the Shoreham Harbour area are going on display. Improved transport links are considered essential in advance of proposals for extensive housing development at the harbour.
Exhibitions are planned at Southwick Library from February 22 to March 5, Shoreham Library from March 15 to 19, and Adur Civic Centre from March 15 to 19. For more information click here.
Meanwhile Shoreham Harbour is one of nine UK sites being examined for potention eco-town development. The government is making funding available for feasibility studies into major developments with a strong emphasis on low environmental impact.
The shortlisting revives the prospects of extensive housing development at the harbour, although the number of new homes proposed is thought likely to be nearer 5,000 than the 10,000 mentioned in earlier proposals.
Some environmentalists will welcome the green emphasis this brings to any likely development at the harbour, but others will be dismayed at what they see as overdevelopment in an already overcrowded region, with negative impacts far outweighing any possible green credentials.
The government announcement came just a month after Peter Latham, strategic director of Adur and Worthing councils, told the Shoreham Society that more funding was needed to study the options.
At a packed meeting organised by the Shoreham Society in November, he spoke of the need for further studies to determine the nature and scale for the harbour project.
He said the councils of Adur, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex, together with the harbour authority, were now working in unprecedented partnership which was bringing important additional benefits.
In a lively discussion with Shoreham Society members, he said long-term shifts to more metropolitan lifestyles were inevitable in Adur and throughout Sussex.
The Shoreham Society is urging a re-think of controversial proposals for redeveloping the Pond Road area in Shoreham, and is submitting alternative ideas.
Adur Council has been conducting a series of consultation events about a scheme to redevelop this key central area, including the community centre and its surrounds, the library, health centre and Burrscroft.
The Shoreham Society is challenging the proposals on several grounds, including:
A further concern is that the proposed increase in population density will pose significant problems for the local infrastructure and quality of life.
But in case it is decided that a development of this extent must nevertheless take place, the society is offering an alternative design approach to overcome the major problems of the scheme put forward by the council.
While allowing for the same intensity of housing, the society's suggestions offer major advantages including:
The society is in discussion with council officers to present its objections to the official proposals and offer its alternative suggestions.
Residents are urged to add their voices, either through the council consultation at www.adur.gov.uk/pond-road, or directly to the society by email here.
Proposals are afoot for making East Street a permanent pedestrian precinct. The idea has been floated by the county highways department, but concerns have been raised about wider traffic implications and the likely effect on trade.
The Shoreham Society will prepare a considered response as proposals become clearer. You can give your views to the society by email here.
A proposal for nearly 200 homes on land by Southlands Hospital has been given planning approval by Adur Council.
Significant improvements were made to the proposals following suggestions by the Shoreham Society, but a number of concerns remained and the society submitted further suggestions for the council to take into account when considering the application.
Many people are disappointed that the approved development includes the demolition of Storrington House, a former dormitary block at the hospital.
The go-ahead means work can start on the scheme, which includes 125 houses and 72 flats.
See the society's comments by clicking here.
Latest plans for the historic Kingston Barn in St Julian's Lane involve converting it into four dwellings. Having been refused permission to demolish the listed building, the owner has applied for planning permission to convert it into three one-bedroom flats and a two-bedroom apartment.
Concern has been growing at the lack of maintenance work to repair recent fire damage or prevent further deterioration.
A historic piece of Shoreham heritage could possibly be given a new lease of life - if there's enough interest.
The unique cast-iron roof was a prominent feature on the corner of St Mary's Road and East Street, and it has been kept in storage since its removal. Opportunities might exist for incorporating it into new development proposals in Shoreham, and the Shoreham Society would campaign for this of there is sufficient demand.
The full story of this fascinating construction and its historic importance was in the Autumn issue of the Shoreham Society Journal, which is distributed free to all members. Read the article here.
There are more pictures and plenty of historical information about the Vinery on the shorehambysea.com website.
Plans for a 72-bedroom hotel just off Shoreham High Street have been rejected by Adur Council.
The application by a London development company was refused on grounds including overdevelopment and inadequate parking.
The proposal for a four-storey building overlooking the River Adur on the site of Norfolk House, the old Inland Revenue building, included only 17 car parking spaces.
Hopes are rising that much of the work of the Civic Trust, the national umbrella body for organisations like the Shoreham Society, will continue despite the news that the trust was put into official administration.
A network of organisations has rallied round and launched the Civic Society Initiative to explore how a new body might be able to pick up the main projects and continue the work.
The Trust's financial position was under severe strain for some time and various rescue plans were tried, but the trustees decided it could no longer operate on a solvent basis.
Locally the Shoreham Society continues to thrive with a growing membership, but would welcome the continued existence of a national umbrella organisation.
Click here for more information about the Civic Society Initiative.