Regeneration

Adur District Council, Brighton and Hove City Council, West Sussex County Council, SEEDA, Shoreham Port and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have launched a unique partnership to achieve economic growth in the Shoreham Harbour area.

The area, which has suffered from slow but steady economic decline for many years, was awarded ‘Growth Point Status’ by the Government in July [2008], meaning that it may be able to attract investment of millions of pounds for local infrastructure as part of a regeneration programme.

Our goal is to create regeneration based around a thriving port, linking effectively into existing neighbourhoods, providing better jobs for local people, improved educational opportunities and investing in the local infrastructure.

If we can attract the right funding and – working with local people – develop the right vision for the area, we have the opportunity to create a shining example of economic growth and sustainable homes here on the Sussex Coast and we will be looking at a much wider area than the port, addressing the local communities with a pressing need for investment.

Evidence from both the Index of Multiple Deprivation and other studies shows that unemployment, poor levels of education and skills and general deprivation are all features particularly around south Portslade, Fishersgate and parts of Shoreham.

There is mounting pressure for change given the scarcity of sites for development in the South East, the national drive for new homes and the recognition that the Shoreham Harbour area has significant pockets of deprivation.

This is one of the biggest potential regeneration areas in the south east outside London.

Adur District Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and West Sussex County Council have taken control of the Shoreham Harbour Regeneration Project, following Government cut backs in July, which slowed down plans to regenerate the area. They have agreed to create the first Joint Committee of its kind locally to take forward regeneration plans for the area and, working closely with Shoreham Port, the Environment Agency and other agencies, aim to bring about an approved Joint Area Action Plan in 2012. The partnership aims to have a range of options for Shoreham Harbour ready for public consultation in the summer of 2010.

Project milestones