Long-Derelict Land In Worthing's Union Place: Your Comments Wanted

Monday, 31 July 2023 08:05

By John Warburton @Warblefly

A view of the proposed Union Place development

Redevelopment of a long-derelict site in Worthing appears to be a step closer, as a new public consultation about Union Place opens.

Worthing Borough Council says that feedback on earlier proposals has brought about changes.

Now, another opportunity to comment on the designs has begun, before they go forward for planning approval.

According to the local authority, the new design "prioritises genuinely affordable homes and homes for social rent in order to meet the needs of local residents, whilst giving the town centre an economic boost with new commercial spaces"

An artist's impression of the Union Place proposals

Each building in the development will be "highly sustainable", the council claimed, being either connected to the Worthing heat network or using air source heat pumps to ensure low carbon emissions.

Plans for the wider site include returning Union Place to being a tree lined avenue, with a community of interlinking gardens to increase the greenery and biodiversity in the town centre.

Historic street frontages along High Street and Union Place will also be repaired, the council stated.

Working as a joint venture with local contractor Roffey Homes, the Council intends to share the cost of the ambitious project in order to ensure high quality, environmentally friendly architecture, and to maximise the number of homes delivered.

Cllr Caroline Baxter, Worthing’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said:

"The Union Place development, and our partnership with experienced local partner Roffey Homes, is a fantastic opportunity to provide high-quality, energy-efficient and genuinely affordable homes for Worthing residents.

As well as providing much-needed housing for our town, the development will have an emphasis on environmentally friendly, energy efficient infrastructure, in order to help us meet our net-zero goals and ensure that homes are cheap to run."

The deadline for feedback is Friday 11 August.

To see the new design for Union Place, and make any comments, visit: https://eceplanning.com/union-place-second-online-consultation/