A local authority in West Sussex is proposing to build its own Airbnb four bedroom house on the site of old garages, in order to drive tourism. 

The idea has provoked a row with local residents close to the garages complaining that the property may become a so-called party house, and the pressure group Taxpayers Alliance protesting in recent days that the idea is a misconceived use of public money.

A spokesperson for Arun District Council says: “After conducting a survey on the use of the garages, we can confirm that only three out of the nine units are used for parking vehicles. The rest is used for storage or stands empty. For a number of years we have not received inquiries from the public regarding the availability of garages at this location. The Airbnb site proposal is based on a business need to make the most of the site to bring visitors to the city and create a revenue stream for the council and district. Once the development is complete, it will also add to the Council’s assets for a future-proof financial return.”

The town council – a separate body to the Arun District Council – is also up in arms about the proposed Airbnb.

A spokesperson for the town council says: “The garages that Arun District own in River Road are dilapidated and need to be demolished. For the District Council to be ignoring the views of the town council and local residents in this way is not a good reflection of how local democracy is meant to work. It is a great shame because in recent years the town and district council have been working well together to the benefit of Arundel residents.

“Over and above the economics, we believe that it is dangerous to encourage visitors to drive to this … location. This is a narrow road, with no pavement.”

Now a petition has been launched against the Airbnb idea, with just over 400 signatures at present.