Mid Sussex District Council’s planning officers have recommended the council permit the development at The Prince Albert pub on Copthorne Bank, near Crawley.
The plans have proven very controversial, receiving 604 objections from residents who have slammed the loss of a substantial part of the pub garden and the prospect of a new retail unit close to existing ones.
The new plan will involve separating the land to retain the pub and a portion of its garden, while introducing a convenience store and four apartments.
The northwest corner of the site would be left for use as a pub garden, with the pub itself retained in its entirety.
Immediately south of this would be a new 2.5-storey apartment block building containing four flats, with access to Brookhill Road.
The remainder of the site would be used for a new retail convenience store with parking space for 23 vehicles.
Multiple residents have expressed concerns about the development and the potential impact on the character of the village.
One objection said: “The Prince Albert has been a social hub for the village since it was built, serving not only alcohol but meals, soft drinks and confectionery and ice creams for children.
“The play area has offered families the opportunity to get together in an adult environment whilst being able to keep observing the children in the play area and the car park has been used for car boot sales, and other mobile entertainments such as bungee jumping in the past.
“It is imperative that this is kept as a public house since it is now the only one in the heart of the village.”
The pub is designated an Asset of Community Value.
However, it is currently not serving food and at present is not considered to be a “family-friendly environment”, so the play equipment is considered to be somewhat redundant.
Another objection to the plans said: “Copthorne already has two well-established local convenience stores as well as a larger Morrison’s store.
“Introducing yet another retail outlet would place unnecessary and unfair pressure on these existing businesses.
“A new store, likely operated by a major retail chain, would almost certainly undercut local traders, threatening their viability and potentially driving independent businesses out of the village altogether.”
Concerns were also raised about highway safety, already heavily congested local roads, and insufficient parking provision.
The site is located on the corner of a junction (Image: Google)
A third objection added: “Having a store and flats on this busy junction will cause traffic chaos.
“An already dangerous junction will be considerably more dangerous and accidents are inevitable.
“The idea of building here is disastrous.”
Despite the high number of objections, planning officers said the proposals complied with the Copthorne Neighbourhood Plan, and the benefits, including employment generation and four new dwellings, outweighed the adverse impacts.
The plans were originally submitted in December 2024.
They will come before Mid Sussex District Council’s planning committee on January 15.
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