Town centre housing scheme in Worthing is set to begin construction

Roffey Homes has completed the first stage of buying the Union Place site and construction of the 216-home Union Gardens development is due to start within weeks.

Construction is due to start within weeks on the Union Gardens housing scheme in Worthing after Roffey Homes completed the first stage of buying the Union Place site from Worthing Borough Council. The site has been vacant since the former police station was demolished in 2009. The authorised scheme provides 216 homes alongside commercial space, new parking and communal gardens. Planning permission was granted in March 2024 and the council sold its share in January 2025 to help accelerate delivery. Key details: - The development will deliver 216 homes including one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as live/work units. - The scheme includes about 5,000 sq ft of commercial space and three first-floor podium gardens. - The existing NCP car park is due to close in early March; the development includes a 236-space car park, of which 146 spaces will be available for public use and is due to open in summer 2028. - The Union Place site covers just over one hectare between High Street and the Connaught Cinema and has been vacant since 2009. - Planning permission was granted in March 2024; Worthing Borough Council sold its share of the site in January 2025 to accelerate housing delivery under the Worthing Local Plan. - Design features reported by the developer include enhanced insulation, biodiverse roofs and a proposed link to the Worthing Heat Network, and apartments are expected to go on sale from 2028. Summary: The project will replace a long-vacant brownfield site in central Worthing with new homes, commercial space and public parking. Construction is due to begin within weeks, with the town-centre car park closing in early March and the new public car park planned to open in summer 2028. Roffey Homes said it will work with the community to minimise impact during the construction period.