Shoreham Harbour plans will create jobs and homes
(update 20/01/11)

Plans for a major new development at Shoreham Harbour that will provide employment for local people and up to 2,000 homes are being drawn up by Brighton & Hove, Adur and West Sussex County Councils together with Shoreham Port Authority.

The three councils and port authority have been working in partnership to create a shared vision and a realistic scheme for the site’s development.

Preliminary work by the three councils includes a capacity and viability study, transport modelling and a flood defence strategy. Through this work they have established that an employment-led development that could include over 2,400 new jobs and up to 2,000 new homes over the next 15-20 years.

Brighton & Hove’s council leader Mary Mears said: “I am delighted that we have a new joint vision and a viable scheme that supports the economy. It will create new jobs at the port and for local businesses and lead to much needed new homes. The three councils and the port authority have put residents and businesses at the heart of their decision-making to deliver a project that will benefit the whole of Sussex.”

The scheme is also designed to attract new business investment to the area, particularly in the environmental technology field. All new development, both business premises and homes will need to be built to the highest environmental standards and provide benefits for the existing community.

Main areas for redevelopment for new housing and jobs could be the Western Arm (the north side of the river from Shoreham Town Centre to Kingston Beach), South Portslade and at Aldrington Basin in Hove.

Shoreham Port Authority has recently published its own masterplan setting out the future for the port and highlighting the potential for further growth, including 500 new jobs and significant investment in new port facilities over the next few years.

Leader of Adur District Council, councillor Neil Parkin, said: “The councils and the Port Authority want to send a clear, single and united message to business, investors and developers that we have the plans and the vision to see Shoreham Harbour develop successfully. Come on down the time is right.”

Councillor Deborah Urquhart, cabinet member for environment and economy at West Sussex County Council, said: “This joint partnership approach, working together to agree a new vision for Shoreham Harbour has reached a key milestone. The Port and surrounding area is a tremendous investment opportunity. We have set the foundations and want to work with the Port, local people and businesses to turn this vision into a reality with new jobs and a great living and working environment".

Peter Davies, Development Director at Shoreham Port Authority said: “We very much welcome the emphasis on employment-led regeneration and fully support the shared vision for the area that fits well with our ambitions for the port”.

Earlier plans for the harbour and surrounding area looked at the potential for up to 10,000 homes. This would have involved reclaiming land from the sea and for the relocation of some of the existing port operations freeing up existing port land for redevelopment. This was not considered deliverable in the current economic climate.

Public consultation on the new plans will take place later this year.

Ends