ROUND 200 homes, commercial space and two extra cinema screens for the Connaught Theatre have been revealed as the preferred option to transform Worthing’s Union Place.

Worthing Borough Council acquired the site earlier this year and is working with the government-owned development firm London and Continental Railways.

A range of options to develop the 2.6 acre site will be presented to councillors on Tuesday.

Other options include a purely residential scheme of more than 200 units or a mixed-use scheme of homes and offices.

All three would include more than 100 car parking spaces.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “After years of stalled schemes, finally we are seeing progress on the plans to regenerate this prime site which has the potential to support the town centre for many years to come.

“We have already shown that, as a council, we are not going to stand by any longer and watch Union Place remain derelict and unused, which is why I am pleased to see us progress to this next stage in just a few months.

“If councillors are happy to proceed then I look forward to working with LCR on creating detailed proposals which I’m certain will lead to a development that the people of Worthing can be proud of.”

Worthing Borough Council stepped in to buy the former police station site from private owners in January to bring impetus to the regeneration of the land.