But feedback has shown that there is limited support for the hotel and cinema options so they no longer form part of the proposals.

The Council wants the development to prioritise the provision of affordable homes, and homes for social rent, that meet the needs of local residents. It is also keen to ensure the new buildings have an innovative, creative feel, and that they fit in well with Worthing’s heritage and architecture. The consultation will enable the Council to see, at this early stage,  whether its aspirations are shared by residents.

The revised designs focus on providing up to 200 homes with generous garden spaces at first floor level to provide much needed space for planting and play facilities. Car parking, which was more prominent in the previous plans, is now at ground level in covered areas under the gardens and flats, alongside commercial businesses. To enhance the setting of the development, Union Place would become a tree-lined road again, as it was more than 100 years ago.

The Council bought the site of the former police station and the NCP car park for almost £9.7 million and agreed to work with Roffey Homes earlier this year to push forward the redevelopment of the area.

Cllr Martin McCabe, Worthing’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “Union Place is ripe for redevelopment to create much-needed, sustainable homes for our community and new jobs.

People can review the plans at https://eceplanning.com/public_consultation_union_place/ and leave feedback. The deadline for responses is Wednesday 7 December.

A further consultation is planned for early 2023 to consider the scheme in more detail before a planning application is submitted.