£150 million Worthing regeneration project to be discussed by councillors (From The Argus)

£150 million Worthing regeneration project to be discussed by councillors

10:27am Thursday 23rd June 2011 in News By Neil Vowles

A £150 million regeneration project could take a step closer towards becoming a reality.

The redevelopment of the Teville Gate shopping area in Worthing will be discussed at a Worthing Borough Council development control committee next week.

The project, which has been put forward in various forms over almost 20 years, features a nine-screen cinema, restaurants, office space and a health and fitness centre in its latest proposal.

Two eye-catching residential towers, 17 and 14 stories high and containing 229 apartments, are also proposed along with 31 other apartments and parking for almost 1,000 cars.

The project, which has been drawn up by Brighton-based Russell Drage Architects on behalf of site owners Hanson Capital Management, could bring more than 1,000 jobs to the area.

Changes to previous plans have seen the incorporation of a large food store, an 88-room hotel, a conference hall and exhibition space and the provision of a replacement multi-storey car park rather than underground parking.

The apartment towers would be built with coloured squares which would be illuminated at night.

Worthing council leader Paul Yallop said the time and effort that the site owner’s had spent developing the plans had left him optimistic that this time they would become a reality.

He said: “The site is the gateway to Worthing town centre and for many years we have looked at getting the site redeveloped and after many false dawns, we hope this will work.

“It will bring a significant range of employment opportunities which will be a welcome addition to Worthing.

“Everything the developers have told us indicate that they have a financially viable plan.”

Council planners have advised councillors to give the go-ahead to the project despite issues with highways access and affordable housing still needing to be resolved.

The centre was built in 1969 and originally comprised of 26 retail units although only four now survive.

Several groups have objected to the elements of the proposal including the South Downs National Park Authority on the impact the high-rise project will have on views from the Downs and The Cinema Theatre Association which says the multiplex is unnecessary because the Dome already fulfils the cinema needs of Worthing residents.

The plans go before Worthing Borough Council on Wednesday June 29.