On behalf of our clients, Courtlands By The Sea Ltd, ECE Planning are delighted to report that yesterday afternoon, Worthing Borough Council’s Planning Committee were supportive of the full planning and listed building consent applications at Courtlands for the change of use from offices to a care/school facility with overnight accommodation.

Courtlands is a beautiful former mansion house, previously converted and used as office space until 2017. After standing vacant since 2020 the approved proposals will provide a unique and outstanding residential care facility for children aged between 11 – 16 with learning difficulties, disabilities, and autism spectrum.

The facility would accommodate a maximum of 23 children at one time with about 10 staff members staying overnight (depending on the types of services the proposed users require and the complexity of cases). Additionally, the new scheme will provide support for the children in terms of teaching and learning and proposes 4no. large multi-use classrooms to assist with the children’s educational development which will be tailored on a case-specific basis.

We are thrilled to have gained council backing for a scheme that provides such a significant community benefit – bringing this magnificent building back into use, facilitating the repair and renovation of the heritage assets, and providing a much-needed care facility in Worthing.