Worthing's housing shortage is set to be eased after plans to create more than 200 sustainable flats on the site of the former gasworks were approved.
Worthing Borough Council's Planning Committee voted through the proposal to transform the 1.1-hectare brownfield site on the corner of Lyndhurst Road and Park Road.
The plans will see the creation of ten studio apartments, 50 one-bed flats, 141 two-bed flats and eight three-bed flats on a site which is a short walk to the town centre and seafront.
The Council has worked closely with the developer St William Homes to ensure a high quality development which will ensure that development on this empty site is highly sustainable, while also being respectful of the local character.
Cllr Kevin Jenkins, Leader of Worthing Borough Council, said:
“Worthing is very much a town on the up and yet another example of significant investment in our local economy.
“We know there is a shortage of housing locally. But we are also keen to make sure that development is done sensitively to residents and our wider environment.
“That's why we have worked incredibly closely with the developer and residents to ensure the site is sustainable and hugely eco-friendly, while also being in keeping with the existing architecture.”
As part of the project, which is included in Worthing's draft local plan for 2021, there will be a partial removal of boundary walls and the construction of the apartments, which are spread across five blocks ranging in height from three to seven storeys.
The ecology of the scheme is designed to ensure a significant biodiversity net gain on site through additional tree and hedge planting, brown roofs and bird and bat boxes amongst other features, while there is a focus on more sustainable forms of transport.
St William Homes intends to commence development in summer 2022, including a period of preparatory land decontamination works. They have committed to a communications strategy which will keep local residents informed of progress and the development is expected to complete by summer 2025.
There will be 110 parking spaces for residents, of which 40 per cent will boast electric vehicle charging points, as well as 205 bike spaces.
The site was home to three largest gas holders and buildings with the last holder being demolished in 2018.
Cllr Noel Atkins, chair of planning, said:
“The chance to regenerate this empty brownfield site near the town centre is one that is simply too good to turn down.”
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