Rustington pub to be turned into a restaurant and hotel

The bid to extend the Windmill Inn in Mill Lane, Rustington, was approved with conditions.

There has been a public house on the site since 1839. Now the venue is set to be transformed into a restaurant and hotel with 20 bedrooms.

An indoor pool and a spa treatment room are also in the pipeline.

A total of 27 parking spaces are planned as well as landscaping and a green roof.

A masterplan showing proposals for the pub

Most of the extension will be to the back and side of the building, with some of the existing buildings planned for demolition.

The original pub building is set to be retained.

The applicants said the hotel will help make the business viable and could create employment for three extra full-time staff.

In a report to Adur District Council’s planning committee, council officers acknowledged it can be “difficult to make a profit” when running a standalone pub.

Plans were submitted to transform the Windmill Inn

They said the plans would be in line with tourism and employment policies as the council is currently trying to attract more visitors to the district.

However, there were at least 19 objections with concerns over parking, noise, and overlooking.

There was also one letter of support which said the expansion would improve the building.

One objector said the number of parking spaces would only just cover those needed by the hotel.

How the pub could look after the work is complete

He expressed concerns about overspill parking on to already busy surrounding streets.

Highways officers said the parking provision would be adequate, adding that the venue is close to public transport links.

Planning officers concluded that the extension would not be "unduly prominent or obtrusive" and would not be overbearing for nearby properties.