The cash-strapped council is now negotiating the sale of the land at Union Place to house builder Roffey Homes.

Worthing partnered with Roffey Homes in 2022 to build the Union Gardens scheme containing 216 flats, with residents’ gardens, a pocket park, and a 236-space car park at the long-dormant brownfield site.

But the scheme had stalled and councillors have agreed to change the approach by offering Roffey Homes the chance to purchase the land and get going with construction.

The council said: “We believe that by handing over sole control to Roffey Homes the redevelopment can progress much faster.

“We are focused on finding ways of reducing costs and increasing income and no longer consider the financial risk or staffing resource involved with the successful delivery of a large-scale redevelopment site to be in line with that aim. We have instead opted to sell the land and receive payment sooner.”

Planning permission for Union Gardens was granted last March and Roffey Homes hope to start construction this Easter and complete at the end of 2028.

Cllr Rita Garner, Worthing’s deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The designs for Union Gardens will transform a site that has been dormant for years by creating a new sustainable community and bringing new life to our town centre. By changing our approach to the project, we are enabling Roffey Homes to bring this vision to life as soon as possible.”

Ben Cheal, managing director of Roffey Homes, added: “Roffey are ready to get going on this prestigious regeneration project, with enabling works hopefully starting after Easter and, subject to regulatory approval, construction beginning later in the year.

“As a Worthing-based company, we see multiple additional benefits to local companies that we use and their supply chains, along with wider employment opportunities for those who work in the construction industry.”