Work to regenerate Southwick Square and turn it into a vibrant and welcoming public space has got underway.
More than £600,000 of Adur District Council and West Sussex County Council funding is being used to transform the area after local residents and businesses had their say.
New drought-resistant trees will be introduced that improve air quality and increase biodiversity by supporting a vast array of different species, as well as providing oxygen and capturing carbon dioxide.
As part of the prep work at Southwick Square, a number of trees have had to be removed. The tall pines at the site are being pruned for their protection and long-term growth by tree surgeons before the nesting season for birds begins.
Hoardings are set to go up shortly at the site before groundworks begin in around six weeks’ time.
The plan is to revitalise the seating and park area by the east parade, making the area more inviting and accessible to visitors and allowing people to sit and eat, while a larger open space will be able to host community events, performances and markets.
There will also be new pedestrian lighting, additional seating and attractive gardens, as well as space for the community Christmas tree.
As part of the Council’s green commitment that includes this project, 178 new trees have been planted across Adur District during the 2022/23 winter season.
Cllr Steve Neocleous, Adur's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategic Planning, said:
“This is the first step to breathing new life into Southwick Square and ensuring this important community hub can flourish.
“There will be some short-term disruption to residents, but the contractors will be doing everything to mitigate that and we are confident that when the project is completed it will be to the benefit of those living here and the businesses, as well as showing our commitment to improving our green spaces and planting more trees.”
The work will be funded by £87,000 from Adur and up to £600,000 from the county council as part of the Adur Growth Deal, a five-year partnership programme of regeneration between the two councils.
Design work and technical studies for the scheme were completed in September, while the Council carried out a public consultation last October to find out the views of residents and businesses.
The project is expected to be completed early this autumn 2023, although the new open spaces could be open by mid-summer.
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