A planning application has been submitted to knock down a pub and house and build retirement homes.

Churchill Living has submitted plans for 28 one and two bedroom apartments and three two bedroom cottages, all for older people, on the site of The Windmill Inn and a house at 34 Mill Lane in Rustington.

The properties would be “designed to help people remain independent, safe, secure and sociable for as long as possible”, accompanied by communal areas and facilities as well as parking.

The developer also said it would meet “a significant unmet housing need” and provide “social, economic and environmental benefits to the wider community”.

On the demolition of the pub, the developer pointed towards a previous planning application in 2022 for the extension and remodelling of the pub into a 20-bedroom hotel, which was approved.

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A spokesman for Churchill Living said: “This suggests that the current use as a public house is not viable and the owners were looking to repurpose the pub into a hotel with a larger restaurant and to provide indoor spa facilities. “

The application has received three public responses to date - two in objection and one in support.

Both comments of objection are from residents in the area who feel their privacy would be impacted by the development due to new properties overlooking them. The objectors enquired about solutions such as frosted windows.

The comment of support reads: “Best option for use of the site for those close by. Impressed with the proposed plans.”

The Windmill Inn was recently affected by an electrical fire in one of its storage sheds on August 17 which forced it to temporarily close.

A spokesman for the pub said: “We can confirm that in the early hours of this morning we had a fire break out in one of our storage sheds.

“We would like to thank all the first responders who came to our aid when we needed them the most.

“A huge thank you to our friends and neighbours for your kindness and support. And thank you to all the locals who have posted kind words.”

Comments on the application are open until September 26 with a decision due in November.

The pub has been contacted for comment.