Shoreham Cement Works: people invited to have their say on major plans

The Shoreham Cement Works site, which straddles the Adur/Upper Beeding border, dates back to the 19th century. Cement production began in the late 1800s under the Beeding Portland Cement Company and by 1902 the facility had expanded with the addition of large kilns, wash mills and an internal railway network.

Following a temporary closure during the Second World War, the site was rebuilt between 1946 and 1952 and rebranded as the Shoreham Cement Works, employing hundreds of people locally.

Cement production ceased in 1991 and the former quarry, with substantial redundant buildings, has been allocated for mixed-use development in the South Downs Local Plan.

In July, FI Property Group, which is based in Chorley, Lancashire, announced it had taken control of the site. The firm is one of the UK’s largest privately owned commercial property and regeneration businesses and currently manages more than 15-million square feet of commercial space across the UK.

Founder and managing director Tim Knowles said: “The site has had a difficult history, with progress stopping and starting over a number of years. We believe this is an opportunity for a fresh start under clear leadership of an experienced developer with a strong track record of delivering complex regeneration projects.

“Our aim is to bring forward a landscape-led, environmentally sensitive scheme that respects the site’s industrial heritage and location within the South Downs National Park. We look forward to working closely with the local community, stakeholders and the South Downs National Park Authority as plans develop.”

As reported earlier this month, the South Downs National Park Authority has completed an early part of the planning process, which sets out what environmental issues would need to be looked at before a full planning application could be considered.

Adur & Worthing Councils’ view was submitted as part of this process and called for the impact on the local road network – including the A27, the A283 and its junction with Upper Shoreham Road, Shoreham, and the Manor roundabout in Lancing – to be assesed.

The councils said the A259 in Shoreham should also be considered as it may see more traffic as a result of the development.

They suggested that the environmental assessment should look at the impact of traffic both during construction and when the development is complete.

The councils also called for other developments around Shoreham to be considered as they believe the combined effect on traffic in the area and on the A27 could be significant, while their environmental health officer raised concerns about air quality and dust during the demolition and construction stages.

Now, people are being invited to have their say on the propsals for the site as part of a consultation exercise, A leaflet, headed ‘Help shape the next chapter of Shoreham Cement Works’, has been delivered to local residents.

It reads: “Shoreham Cement Works Ltd, part of FI Group Ltd, is developing plans to regenerate Shoreham Cement Works, and we would like to hear your views.

“The emerging proposals would bring the site back into use with a mix of new homes, employment, public spaces, landscape and spaces for nature, while responding to its location within the South Downs National Park, its industrial heritage and distinctive quarry landscape.”

The ‘masterplan’ is focused on four key parts of the site. One, Riverside, is to the west of the A283 Steyning Road and plans are for ‘mainly new homes and open space next to the River Adur’. The other four concern the larger part of the site, to the east of the A283: Cement Works, ‘a mixed-use area centred on public space and the remaining industrial heritage’, where the redundant buildings are currently located; The Bowl, ‘a new employment area within the former quarry’ directly behind the buildings and Moonscape, ‘emerging proposals for homes within the distinctive exposed chalk landscape, alongside habitat and open space’ at the east of the site.

The leaflet reads: “Across the site, the propsals aim to: protect and improve habitats and create new spaces for nature; celebrate the site’s industrial heritage, including the landmark chimney; provide new public spaces and opportunities for recreation and learning; improve cycling and walking connections and respond carefully to landscape, flood risk, drainage and climate change.

“The proposals also include wider improvements to local walking and cycling routes, including a proposed new one-kilometre public right of way linking the South Downs Way with the River Adur.”

There are a number of ways in which people can have their say. The proposals can be viewed online at www.givemyview.com/SCW2026 and people can get in touch via the consultation email address, [email protected] or by calling 020 3906 8858.

People are also invited to a consultation event, which is to be held from 3.30pm to 7pm on Wednesday, November 4, at the Shoreham Centre in Pond Road, Shoreham.