1 Overview
The Adur and Worthing Growth Deal was signed in March 2017 as an ambitious 5-year partnership programme of regeneration focusing on key priorities across the area. The Growth deal between West Sussex County Council (WSCC), Adur District Council (ADC) and Worthing Borough Council (WBC) is currently undergoing a refresh in order to continue attracting investment and combining resource to deliver local economic growth. This will enable the development of new homes and creating employment opportunities and community facilities.
Find out more about the Adur and Worthing Growth Deal (PDF, 5.8MB)The overall aim of the growth programme is to sustain local economic growth and maximise prosperity, regenerating communities. Public authorities are working together with organisations and agencies within the region, including Coast to Capital (C2C), Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Coastal West Sussex, to identify funding and investment opportunities.
The Growth Partnership directs specialist teams to design and deliver major projects that create new housing, employment space and community facilities, associated transport connections and environmental improvements to the quality of the public areas in town centres.
2 Worthing priorities
Worthing town centre
Bringing together key redevelopment areas in the town through a series of associated public realm improvements. Major improvements made to public realm in the town centre create high quality landscapes, reactivating community spaces, making safe and accessible environments for benefit of businesses, residents and visitors.
Worthing Public Realm Improvements (WPRI)
West Sussex County Council (WSCC) is working in partnership with Worthing Borough Council (WBC) to assess options and identify priorities for 'public realm' improvements to support the revival of the town centre economy. The WPRI programme provides a significant opportunity to improve the quality of environment and connections between the train station, the seafront and the key redevelopment sites.
Key aims of WPRI include:
- creation of quality landscapes at destination and arrival points
- great gateways with clear routes and desirable spaces
- improvements to the safety of the public realm as inclusive community spaces
- promotion of sustainable travel within healthy and attractive environments
- engagement with key stakeholders to build upon strong local support.
A Leader Decision (LDR01 2018/19) in May 2018, approved a £5m capital allocation to develop a WPRI programme and delegated the Executive Director of Place to take forward Portland Road and other key priority projects to be identified.
The Portland Road project reached completion by WBC in August 2022. WSCC and WBC developed designs to increase quality and accessibility with new paved areas and reduce clutter on the highway. Highway access and street parking will be altered to extend the pedestrianised area. Loading and unloading restrictions modified and new street lighting, urban realm furniture, trees and quality, sustainable low maintenance landscaping will be introduced.
The Executive Director for Place (Procurement: Adur and Worthing Growth Programme, Worthing Public Realm Works, Portland Road OKD10_20/21, May 2020), agreed to allocate funding from the Capital programme to enable WBC to lead the local delivery of the Portland Road project. Works started on site on 3 June 2021 and the site was officially opened on 5 August 2022.
Another WPRI project, Railway Approach, will create a station gateway and sustainable transport interchange, links to new cycleway and cycle hub and support town centre growth and economy with grant contribution secured from the C2C LEP. The WSCC project team engaged the public in a virtual exhibition and feedback is developing designs.
Montague Place (South) Project
In April 2021, members of WPRI Advisory Board supported the next phase of Montague Place regeneration, supporting local businesses by extending the town square area and public events space towards the seafront.
In July 2021, Adur & Worthing Councils Joint Strategic Committee approved proposals to fund an improved Montague Place (South), using ‘Welcome Back’ grant from central government, to pay for an extension of period of closure and initial phase of enabling works.
Whilst this temporary scheme is in place, residents have been given the opportunity to offer their views on the future of Montague Place, as part of WBC’s ‘The Big Listen’. Find further information on the consultation.
Major projects and Worthing investment prospectus
Partnership public realm projects link together major investment and new assets, creating a sustainable transport network and upgrading the digital infrastructure. Development partners are building new homes, providing commercial, leisure and retail space at:
- Teville Gate - This site was maintained as a key priority for WBC in its Local Plan which was adopted on 28 March 2023. Partnership funds cleared the site and enabled the development of a new office building (Teville Gate House - occupied by HMRC), linked to public realm improvements planned at Railway Approach, around Worthing Station gateway. WBC has completed purchase of the site and are in the process of developing feasibility and viability assessments.
- Aquarena - A new Splashpoint sport centre replaced a redundant building making way for a new residential bayside development of 141 homes and restaurant on the seafront (completed 2022).
- Civic sites - work started on the new Worthing Integrated Care Centre (WICC) in February 2022 and is due to finish this year. The site, which remains a WBC priority in the new Local Plan, will be served by a new multi-storey car park being built on site of the old car park.
- Union Place - Another Local Plan priority, is being developed by Roffey Homes for Partnership proposals. These include up to 216 new homes with commercial space and a hotel next to the Connaught Theatre and cinema, parking and landscaping.
- Grafton - A potential opportunity and Local Plan priority for a major redevelopment to include seafront new homes, leisure and shopping area.
- Stagecoach - A Local Plan priority site which is being assessed opportunities for redevelopment if bus station operations relocate.
- Gigabit - WSCC, CityFibre and Adur & Worthing Councils partnering to install fibre broadband improving digital connectivity for residents, businesses and services in the area.
Decoy Farm, East Worthing
WBC has carried out the remediation of old landfill sites, adjacent to WSCC Viridor Waste Recycling site, supported by significant Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) funding up to £4.8m. Master-planning and new infrastructure supports proposals for the development of new commercial units. Positive interest from the market research supports an extension to the business park.
WBC’s new Local Plan lists Decoy Farm as a priority and continue to explore options and opportunities for expanding enterprises and or companies looking for brand new premises, creating future local employment.
Find information on the latest updates at Decoy Farm.
Centenary House, Durrington
The building is no longer sustainable or suitable as modern office accommodation and WSCC and Sussex Police have considered their options.
WSCC smarter working approach, following the impact of the pandemic and carbon reduction programme, resulted in County staff moving into nearby Durrington Bridge House and alternative locations, where they continue to serve Worthing residents.
Sussex Police plan to consolidate operations by refurbishing existing police buildings to the west of site.
WSCC have reached an agreement with the Police to install a new access and separate interests, to create a new layout on site and unlock 126 new homes. A design for a residential scheme is proposed by WSCC Joint Venture (Kinsted), with building partner (Lovell), which is subject to governance and planning.
3 Worthing Railway Approach
(Position in January 2024)
Background
Railway Approach is the second phase of a wider £12 million programme of significant public realm improvement schemes following the completion of Portland Road. Investments are making public areas accessible, safe and sustainable community spaces linking the railway station, the town centre and the seafront. These schemes are key to the regeneration plans aimed at supporting the recovery and resilience of the local economy by creating a better, more attractive environment for residents, shoppers, businesses and visitors.
On 14 April 2023, a key decision was approved endorsing the completed detailed design, approving a construction budget of £2.287m and endorsing the commencement of procurement. On 5 December 2023, another key decision was approved awarding the construction contract to Landbuild Ltd.
Construction is commencing on 5 February 2024 and is anticipated to last for ten months. The work will be delivered in phases to minimise disruption to residents, businesses, visitors and station users. Find FAQs, the latest updates and futuristic illustrations.
See the detailed designs below.
- Eastern side of Railway Approach (PDF, 1.4MB)
- Western side of Railway Approach (PDF, 1.3MB) (incorporating adjacent Cross Street cycle contraflow scheme)
- Railway approach preliminary design (PDF, 1.2MB)
What the Railway Approach scheme will deliver
Worthing Railway Approach is an important point of arrival, key to making a positive first impression to those visiting the town. To enhance the experience for commuters and others who regularly use Worthing Railway Station, we are improving the area through greening and access improvements.
This includes:
- widened footways around the railway station
- new footway surfaces
- new crossing facilities
- additional seating
- way-finding information
- improved green spaces using trees and planting
- working with the rail authorities to improve the rail buildings as part of the upgrade.
Cross Street cycle contraflow
In synergy with the works on Railway Approach, works to promote walking and cycling on Cross Street will also be undertaken. While the Railway Approach scheme derives from the Worthing Growth Programme, the Cross Street improvements are funded by the Active Travel programme. To avoid additional disruption, and in order to streamline the two projects, these schemes will be delivered together.
The scheme will provide a contra-flow cycle lane linking Railway Approach to Cross Street which will serve cyclists travelling westbound. Additionally, the scheme will implement a raised crossing and raised table to prioritise pedestrian priority at the junction with Railway Approach.
Find details of the governance relating to the Cross Street scheme.
Traffic Regulation Orders
Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) are legal documents that enable West Sussex County Council, as the local highway authority, to manage the use of roads in the county.
Railway Approach and Victoria Road Amendment Order 2023 (WOR-8020-MM) - Traffic Regulation Order
To facilitate delivery of the Railway Approach scheme, there will be changes to kerb-lines, general layout and parking on Railway Approach and Victoria Road. These improvements are part of the public realm enhancements through the TRO process. Full details of this notice can be viewed on our TRO web page.
Cross Street Amendment Order 2023 (WOR-8021-MM) - Traffic Regulation Order
The Cross Street works also require changes to parking, road layout and pedestrian crossings so therefore, also required a TRO. See our TRO web page for the Cross Street works.
Benefits
The improvements will create an attractive and functional area which links to its surroundings, in particular the pedestrian routes between the railway station and the town centre through the Teville Gate redevelopment site and Oxford Road.
It will provide a clear and user-friendly transport interchange with accessible car and pick-up/drop off points, taxi rank and improved bus stops. New CCTV will be provided and an upgrade of the street lighting also form part of the scheme.
4 Adur priorities
Southwick Square
In February 2023, a Key Decision was passed endorsing the allocation of up to £600,000 to complete the design, tender and construction of Southwick Square public realm scheme. The Key Decision also delegated authority to Adur District Council to manage the scheme.
Works started on site in March, with the expectation it will be completed in Summer 2023.
Lancing and Shoreham, development at New Monks Farm and Shoreham Airport
WSCC are making highway junction improvements to the A27 along with essential upgrades to the transport network and implementing priorities in the Adur District Council local plan, working with development partners.
The scheme has secured the development of new homes and new employment floor space. Works are on site and progressing to schedule.
Shoreham harbour regeneration
WSCC, in partnership with ADC, Shoreham Port Authority and Brighton & Hove City Council have adopted a Joint Area Action Plan (October 2019).
WSCC and ADC are working with developers to provide flood protection measures, sustainable transport options and business units on the Western Harbour arm and over 1,000 new homes.
Pond Road, Shoreham
One Public Estate partners, including ADC, WSCC, NHS Property and NHS service providers, have explored potential options for redeveloping the Pond Road area, in multiple ownership. Following WSCC demolition of former Burrscroft care home a feasibility study assessed options increase clinical space, reduce carbon footprint and release land for new homes. Partners have been unable to identify viable concept of combining a library and health services into a new hub and significant investment is not supported by level of returns.
Surveys confirm the existing library building is in reasonable condition, although the internal layout requires improvement and/or potential adjustment, to support Shoreham’s growing needs.
One Public Estate partners continue to meet to assess alternative options to support regeneration and improve services.