Developer sought for Worthing car park site

Worthing Borough Council has revealed it is looking for a developer to transform a car park site into new homes and retail space.

The Grafton multi-storey car park (pictured) is coming to the end of its natural life and has been earmarked by the local authority for demolition.

It is set to be replaced by new homes as part of a long-term policy to help revive the town centre economy.

Now councillors are set to back a proposal to bring in a major developer to work in conjunction with the council to deliver the plan.

Members of the council’s joint strategic committee (JSC) are meeting next week to support the appointment of a development partner to work alongside the council.

A similar arrangement saw leading major project developer LCR join with the authority to develop a homes, retail and cinema plan for Union Place which is now making good progress.

The council also decided to intervene recently in attempts to regenerate the town’s Teville Gate site.

‘Of all the sites we want to develop Grafton is probably the most complex. That much can be appreciated by just looking at the site as it is,’ said executive member for regeneration, Cllr Kevin Jenkins.

‘But that does not mean will sit still nor abandon our vision for a new vibrant space at the heart of our town centre. We will be getting rid of a seafront eyesore car park, bringing more new residents into the town to bring new life to that area and be creative in offering the sort of new commercial units entrepreneurs and businesses might want as our town centres across the country evolve.

‘We have to be a bit patient with Grafton, be careful of the economic winds that might blow, but we will continue to do all we can to make this happen. Bringing in a major developer will be the first step to realising our vision.’

Photo Credit – Jamie Hailstone