The Salt House lookouts in Pagham could be restored

The Salt House, located at the end of Church Lane, is the subject of an application to reopen two of its former viewing points in its south and west walls.

The openings were created when the building was used as a command post in the Second World War, which allowed for those inside to keep watch of the harbour.

Arun District Council officers are recommending that the plans be approved.

The Salt House is believed to date back to the 18th century and was originally used to store sea salt collected from salt pans in Pagham Harbour.

During the Second World War, the harbour was used as a gunnery range and to assemble the Mulberry harbour sections for D Day.

The building was subsequently used as a command post with the local Home Guard manning it. 

The former openings in the building’s walls were bricked up but evidence of them still remains. 

The proposal would see the two lookout spaces reopened and fitted with a simple oak frame and single glazing.

Arun’s conservation officer said the work would “reintroduce an important element of the building’s wartime history”.

A statement submitted with the application says the current owners acquired the building with the intention of preventing it from falling into disrepair.

The owners say the latest work would form part of their efforts to restore the building and “bring back some of the lost character”.

The statement also says the new openings could allow those with limited mobility to use the building as a bird hide overlooking the harbour and mudflats. 

The Salt House is Grade II-listed and sits next to Pagham Harbour which is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. 

Council officers say the proposed work would not affect the character or setting of the listed building. 

The application is recommended for approval subject to conditions, including protecting the building from damage during construction and the use of original materials where possible.