House-builder to revitalise Union Place

The house-builder behind the redevelopment of the former Aquarena site is set to work with Worthing Borough Council to revitalise Union Place and create much needed new homes.

Councillors will be asked to confirm that Roffey Homes should be selected to work in partnership with the Council to redevelop the key town centre site.

Roffey Homes and Worthing Council to develop sites

The former police station site in Union Place has been derelict, in 2017 and 2018 the Council bought that site and the adjacent NCP car park for almost £9.7 million to push forward the redevelopment of the area. Since then it has been working with Government-owned regeneration specialist LCR Property to develop the site.

Under the plans to be considered on Tuesday 8 February, Roffey Homes and the Council would work together to develop that site, the NCP car park and the High Street short-stay car park to create 63 one-bedroom and 123 two-bedroom homes. At least 37 of the homes would be classed as affordable and would be offered to people on Worthing’s housing register.

A new ground floor car park with more than 250 spaces would be created as well as commercial units and potentially a new cinema next to the Connaught Theatre. The Council would retain the freehold for the site and would split the costs and profits with Roffey Homes.

Planning application discussion viewing

Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Cllr Nicky Waight, said: “The redevelopment of Union Place will transform the look and feel of the town centre, removing an eyesore while creating homes for Worthing residents.

“The selection of a preferred development is a significant step towards making this important site work for Worthing again.”

A planning application for the scheme could be submitted this Autumn. If approved, work could begin in Spring 2023. To watch the discussion by the Council’s Joint Strategic Committee, visit YouTube/watch from 6.30pm on 8th February.