Disused shopping centre site to be sold

The site of the former Teville Gate shopping centre has been empty for years

The derelict site of a former shopping centre is to be sold for just over £5m.

Worthing Borough Council voted on Thursday to sell the site of the former Teville Gate shopping centre near Worthing station.

Homes England, the government's housing and regeneration agency, says it wants to build more than 250 homes on the site which has been derelict for years.

The council paid £7 million for the site three years ago but says it will save £850,000 over three years in interest payments.

Homes England said: " We're pleased to be working in partnership with Worthing Borough Council, to create a scheme that will enable the delivery of a development that meets the needs of the local community.

"Teville Gate is a key regeneration area for Worthing and a challenging brownfield site that has the potential to have a transformational impact on the town."

Dr Beccy Cooper, the leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “I’m excited that within months this barren land will be back in use for the community while the work to unlock the potential of this site begins.”

A council spokesperson said: "Drafting development plans, securing planning permission, appointing developers and preparing the site before building work can begin will take up to three years to complete.

"Homes England has therefore agreed to purchase the site immediately and to then hand it back to the council to use while it carries out the preparatory work so that the site does not sit empty in that time."

The neighbouring car park will remain open for the next three years, generating an estimated £300,000 for the council

The council says it plans to bring Teville Gate back into use in time for summer, and says it is asking businesses and the community for ideas as to what they could do with the site.