The Council wants the site to be used for both new homes that will be available for local residents to buy and for social housing to help those on Worthing’s register who need somewhere to live. Currently more than 350 local people are having to be housed by the Council outside the borough because of a lack of accommodation for them.

If the committee supports the idea, officers will work with Homes England over the coming months to conclude the sale. Homes England will then work with the Council to design a scheme and identify a development partner for the project, as well as potential tenants for any planned commercial units on the site.

The Council will also work with HMRC to find new parking spaces for those who currently use the temporary car park to the north of the Teville Gate site, which will form part of the redevelopment.

A contract for the sale of Teville Gate could be completed by the end of the year.

A key benefit of working with Homes England is the agency's commitment to delivering new homes across a range of ownership types. Homes England has also signalled its commitment to work with the Council to ensure the new development ties in with the Council's aspirations for active travel and more green spaces.

Cllr Caroline Baxter, Worthing’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “Teville Gate is a key site in the town for regeneration. It has sat derelict despite multiple historic plans and promises for development.

“It’s vital that we act now to harness the huge potential of the land with an exciting, sustainable vision to benefit the whole community.”

The Council's Cabinet will discuss Teville Gate at its 6.30pm public meeting on Tuesday 12th September at the Shaftesbury Room at Worthing Leisure Centre.