Developer selected to redevelop key Worthing site ‘sat dormant for far too long’

During a meeting of the joint strategic committee yesterday (Tuesday, February 8), senior councillors named Roffey Homes as their preferred developer for the town centre site.

This could see a joint-venture partnership between the council and the Worthing-based developer, which has developed some 50 sites in the town, including the former Aquarena site now home to the Bayside Apartments.

Council officers said the developer was seen as a ‘good, credible partner’ with a ‘track record of delivery’.

They acknowledged that Union Place, acquired by Worthing Borough Council at a cost of £10.1million in 2018, was a ‘long-stalled’ site,

Since then, outline planning permission has been granted for 169 homes, commercial space, a new cinema at the Connaught and a 90-bed hotel.

But councillors heard how the scheme might look different, now with a total of 186 homes, including 37 affordable units reserved for those on the council’s housing list.

‘Dormant for far too long’

Edward Crouch (Con, Marine) acknowledged the risks associated with a partnership but said there was a ‘significant opportunity for reward’.

“I know that Roffey is very much based in the town – I pass their offices going into town,” he said.

“They do have that record of delivery and that’s what we need.

“It’s all well and good to have a partner who owns a site and is banking land but, fundamentally, we want people who get on site and build.”

Roffey Homes has proposed starting on site by spring 2023 and negotiations with the council could start soon.

Mr Crouch pointed out that there would be 20 per cent affordable housing rather than 30 per cent.

But officers said this would be in line with requirements for brownfield-site redevelopments under the emerging Worthing Local Plan.

Council leader Kevin Jenkins (Con, Gaisford) said: “Union Place has been sat dormant for far too long.

“This really will seek to deliver what people are looking for which is finishing a missing piece of the town centre.”

Nicola Waight (Con, Goring) said the proposals would ‘breathe new life into the area’ and provide ‘much-needed housing’.

Cinema an ‘opportunity’

Carl Walker (Lab, Selden) asked if a cinema would still be included ‘given current reduced demand’.

Officers said that around 100,000 out-of-town trips were taken every year by Worthing residents seeking cinemas elsewhere, costing the local economy up to £3.5million.

They said extra screens would be an ‘opportunity to claw back people and spend’ and, if demand does not improve, extra houses could be delivered instead.

Hotel is out

Mrs Waight pointed out that Roffey’s plans did not include a hotel. Officers said this was because there was ‘no strong interest’ from operators. “There’s a lot of Airbnb in the town and demand is taken up by existing local hotels,” they explained.

Car parking ‘won’t be lost’

One councillor was keen to point out that car parking ‘won’t be lost’, although the scheme relies on purchasing and redeveloping the Union Place and High Street car parks which could see the latter closed. But, once complete, it is expected that the scheme will provide 250 parking spaces.