WORTHING leaders have pledged to take public feedback into consideration as they drive forward proposals to revamp a key town centre site.

Frustrated with the lack of movement at Union Place, Worthing Borough Council made the bold move to acquire the site for £3.5 million last month.

Since then, work has begun to safely secure the area with new hoardings now in place.

Keen to push on with an ambitious agenda of creating jobs and homes, the council is continuing to work hard on bringing forward major long-term plans within the next 12 months.

With more than 20,000 people reading articles about the council buying the site and nearly 100 providing comments on what any redevelopment should include, local authority leaders have pledged to listen to the public when bringing forward major plans.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “From the wonderful to the slightly wacky, the public feedback we have had has been incredible - it clearly shows how much local residents feel invested in seeing the redevelopment of this key town centre site.

“Now we own the site, we are in control of our own destiny. But it’s still crucial that we weigh up all options before pursuing our next move.”

Union Place is adjacent to the High Street, opposite Waitrose.

It is next to the council-owned Connaught Theatre and leased car park.

It was the home of the town’s police station but, when that was demolished in 2009, the 1.4 hectare site became derelict.

Worthing Borough Council bought the site from the private owner last month.