EXCLUSIVE: First look at new plans for Teville Gate

Mosaique Global Investments has released a statement outlining its progress – the first time the owners have spoken out since an initial statement was released at the time of purchase in June 2015.

Aized Sheikh, chief executive of Mosaique, promised to hold a consultation event in February for residents to have their say.

The statement read: “We continue to work closely with Worthing Borough Council to bring the site forward for development and we will undertake a consultation event in February 2017 when the public will get the chance to meet the design team, ask questions about the project and comment on the evolving designs for this important regeneration project.

“Following the public consultation event, it is anticipated that a planning application would be submitted in the spring and for development to start later in the year subject to the grant of planning permission.”

Mr Sheikh said extensive survey work had take place on site to explore ground conditions and the location of key services and utilities.

He said Mosaique was keen not only to secure planning permission but to ‘have a viable scheme that will be built’.

Current plans involve a mixed-use scheme.

Mr Sheikh said: “The current proposals seek to maximise the site’s location close to the railway station and town centre and provide a high quality, residential-led scheme with ground floor retail, commercial and leisure uses.

“Particular emphasis will be creating enhanced public realm throughout the site and create an attractive pedestrian connection between the town centre and the station.”

Worthing Borough Council leader Dan Humphreys said he was encouraged by the progress made.

He said: “I am very pleased that significant progress has been made in recent months on this vital site for Worthing. I am delighted that the public will get an opportunity to see the emerging plans early in the new year.”

The latest chapter in Teville Gate’s history

Mosaique purchased the site in 2015, pledging to deliver a ‘world-class’ development.

It was the latest chapter in the site’s long history, after previous plans by Hanson Capital Management stalled.

Hanson gained approval in 2011 for a £150million development, to include a cinema, conference centre, hotels and supermarket.

A wrangle over the site’s ownership in 2014 eventually saw the site put back on the market.

Despite the site being in private ownership, Worthing Borough Council pledged to work with the owners to bring forward development.

The council’s strategic vision, entitled ‘Surf’s Up’, included a ‘commitment’ to help the owners deliver a viable scheme, with a planning application expected in September 2015.

But six-monthly-updates to councillors saw announcements that the timetable had slipped.

Earlier this month, the council noted public consultation would not take place until early 2017.

The Herald called on Mosaique to make a full public statement in August, after discovering a letter from its agents had been sent to the council as part of a consultation on the new local plan. Click here for the full story.

It again asked Mosaique for a detailed comment when the latest delay was revealed.

Commenting on today’s developments, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Bob Smytherman said: “I pay tribute to the Worthing Herald for continuing to press the owners of the Teville Gate site.

“I really hope this time Worthing can get this important gateway site to the town developed once and for all with the much needed affordable housing the town needs.”

Labour’s Jim Deen, meanwhile, described the latest news as a ‘sketchy drawing of some uninspiring buildings’.He said the promises were ‘all too familiar’ and questioned the reason for the delays.

The council hopes to hear by Christmas whether it has been successful in a bid for cash from the Government’s Local Growth Fund.

Mosaique does not have control of Teville Gate House, which forms part of the wider site.