For over a decade, the Teville Gate multi-storey car park (located in the heart of Worthing), and the surrounding area, has been identified as a prime plot for new homes and commercial spaces. After a recent Adur & Worthing Councils’ Joint Strategic Committee meeting, it was agreed that the car park is to be demolished to make way for a major re-development.
The car park has struggled to fill its 114 spaces available and has significant maintenance issues, requiring an investment of £2 million over the next four years to keep it fully open. So, the decision was taken by councillors to release £60,000 towards consultancy costs and erecting hoardings around the car park site, which links Worthing’s main railway station with the town centre.
Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “For too many years, there has been false hope after false hope around this site.
“To get to this stage has required some really detailed and delicate behind-the-scenes negotiations but I’m confident that it delivers a strong and very visible message that we are committed to regenerating the town.
“I know I will not be the only one pleased to see the back of this eyesore car park. Once demolished I believe it will generate real momentum in bringing forward this complex but very important gateway scheme.”
The £1.6 million demolition cost is set to be funded from the Local Growth Fund provided by the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The demolition plan is now in place, after Town Hall officials reached an agreement with the car park’s freeholder, Mosaique and it is thought that work could potentially start in the coming months. Planning application by the owners of the site for a redevelopment of the area could be submitted by the end of the year.