1 Overview
Worthing is a lively seaside town and the biggest coastal destination in West Sussex. It has a famous seafront, a historic pier and a well-known lido. The town mixes history, creativity and new opportunities. It has strong local businesses, a creative community and people who care about improving the environment and connections across the area. This puts Worthing in a good position to grow in a sustainable way.
The coast is Worthing’s greatest strength and is central to its future plans. Partners want to improve the seafront and nearby areas to create a place that is welcoming, environmentally friendly and ready for the future. Plans include improving public spaces, such as turning Montague Place into a garden, supporting wildlife and creating new spaces for businesses and leisure. These changes will benefit residents, businesses and visitors, while also providing new homes.
Worthing is also working towards a low-carbon future. This includes developing a District Heat Network and making the best use of key sites for new projects. By working together, local partners aim to attract investment, support new ideas and businesses and help people build skills for the future. Their goal is to create a town that people are proud of now and for future generations.
2 Background
The Adur and Worthing Growth Deal first started in March 2017. It was a 5-year plan where partners worked together to improve the local area and focus on key local needs through a programme of regeneration.
West Sussex County Council and Worthing Borough Council have now updated the plan. This new Worthing Growth Deal will run for another 5 years. It will help bring in investment, use resources wisely and grow the local economy. The plan includes building new homes, creating jobs, improving community spaces and upgrading important services and facilities.
The first plan has already achieved a lot, including:
- improving key areas in the town centre, including Portland Road, Railway Approach and Worthing station
- improving Montague Gardens, making it easier to move between the seafront and the town centre
- preparing important brownfield sites, like Teville Gate and Decoy Farm, for new homes and work spaces
- attracting private investment, such as the Bayside development, which created new homes and seafront businesses and improved the local area
The main aim of the new Growth Deal is to keep the local economy growing and help communities improve. The updated plan will support steady and sustainable growth by bringing people and resources together. It will help make Worthing a place that attracts visitors, businesses and people who want to live there.
Find out more about the Worthing Growth Deal (PDF, 4.1MB)3 Worthing priorities
The main priorities of the new deal are:
- improving Worthing’s seafront and town centre
- making travel easier and more environmentally friendly
- building new homes and creating jobs
- using data to plan ahead, manage risks and spot new opportunities
Seafront and town centre projects
Montague Gardens
In 2025, work began on plans to turn Montague Place into Montague Gardens. This £3.1 million project will create a new green space with seating, play areas and space for events. Work is due to finish by summer 2026.
The new gardens will link the town centre to the seafront. Funding comes from local development money and support from West Sussex County Council. Find out more about Montague Gardens.
Grafton car park
We will redevelop this old multi-storey car park into something new. It sits between the seafront and the town centre, making it an important spot.
Plans include a mix of homes, shops and community spaces. The project will help bring more people into the area and connect different parts of the town. Find out more about Grafton car park.
Pier and lido
Worthing pier and lido are important historic landmarks and have been popular for over 100 years. However, the lido needs urgent repairs because of damage from the sea and weather.
A new project will repair the structure and make it safe for the future. This work will help protect the building, bring in visitors and support local jobs while keeping its history. Find out more about the pier and lido.
Travel and getting around
Plans will improve bus stops and make it easier to travel by bus, walking, wheeling and cycling instead of using a car.
Better links between walking routes, cycle paths and buses will help everyone get around more easily, including people with different needs.
These changes will make the town centre safer, more welcoming and busier, helping local shops and businesses.
Development sites
Teville Gate
Until 2018, this site used had shops and a car park. New plans will build affordable homes near Worthing train station and improve the area. Find out more about Teville Gate.
Decoy Farm, East Worthing
This land used to be a landfill site and was unusable. It has now been cleaned up. The next step is to expand the nearby business park, creating new workplaces and jobs. Find out more about Decoy Farm.
Centenary House, Durrington
The council and Sussex Police are working together to plan the best way to develop this site, possibly for new homes and jobs. Find out more about Centenary House.