Berkeley Homes and the South-East England Development Agency have submitted a planning application for an Enterprise Gateway.

The facility will be part of the Ropetackle redevelopment scheme in Shoreham.

Enterprise Gateways are a new joint Seeda/Business Link initiative that will concentrate on developing and nurturing entrepreneurs and young companies within the business community.

It will form part of a network of 20 Enterprise Gateways, which Seeda plans to open in the South-East region in the next five years.

The Adur Enterprise Gateway will provide an opportunity for new and young businesses in the Adur area to benefit from business support, including intensive business training, help with early-stage finance and a business incubation support network.

A dedicated Enterprise Gateway director will run the project and each entrepreneur will be provided with a business mentor.

The Enterprise Gateway at Ropetackle will also provide new workspace for start-up companies on flexible terms.

The gateway will be constructed by Berkeley Homes, as part of a mixed-use development, and will form a shared building with a new community arts and education facility, housing a 250-seat auditorium, exhibition space and a caf/bar.

Adur District Council leader Neil Parkin said: "We are delighted the objective of regenerating Ropetackle is finally under way.

"The gateway is a really positive asset in the district. This facility will give a real boost to the area too.

"We will do everything we can to ensure it will work alongside the Enterprise Gateway and make both initiatives work in the community."

The building will be designed to achieve the highest environmental credentials, including low energy use, natural ventilation, solar power and rainwater recycling, and seeks to achieve an "excellent" rating under the building research establishment environmental assessment method for offices.

Phil Dibsdale, head of land and property (East) at Seeda, said: "This will be a tremendous boost for businesses in Adur and for the redevelopment of Ropetackle as a whole.

"It will provide a landmark building for community and local business use and will set high standards in building design and the use of environmental technology."

Berkeley Homes formally took possession of the Ropetackle site last month and anticipates taking up to three years to complete the development.

Until completion, the Enterprise Gateway will be located in an interim "hatchery" to develop its network.

Thursday October 16, 2003