Worthing's empty £multi-million white elephant

And Saxon House is also an on-going, expensive reminder for the Environment Agency (EA) of its decision to quit the leased property only a few years after moving into this building, which was constructed specially for the them.

More than 150 EA staff were at one time employed in Saxon House.

Now, new occupants are being sought to rent the 16,000 sq ft building '“ either as a whole, or in suites.

Abandoned

Asked why the EA abandoned the grandiose part of its empire after so short a time, Joe Giacomelli, from the EA's southern region press office, said: "Saxon House was vacated as part of the Environment Agency's southern region reorganisation project 'More for the South', when we moved to two operational areas from three.

"This project planned to deliver 1.3m of annual savings in terms of reduced staffing and lower operating costs, including savings from building management.

"Whilst the bulk of the savings has been delivered, the full benefit will only be realised once Saxon House is relet."

Mr Giacomelli added: "We are actively marketing the property."

Investment

The agency has a leasehold interest in Saxon House, the freehold being owned by a property investment company.

The spokesman added: "The office accommodated our Sussex area staff, as distinct from our regional staff who were also based in Worthing, but at Guildbourne House."

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