'˜Pancake Plaza' or '˜Hovis Heights'? Residents react to Aquarena plans

A 15-storey tower block was a key part of initial concepts on show at yesterday’s exhibition (Tuesday, March 16).

Initial opinions of the tower were mixed, with views ranging from a ‘slab of pancakes’ to ‘visually pleasing’.

But resident Paul Austin’s comical bread replica, pictured above, took social media by storm.

He said: “I’m not against the development. I just think the scale is still to dense for the seafront.

“It was just a comic observation with the bread.”

Other comparisons of the tower, designed to mimic metalwork on seafront terraces, included likening it to a CD rack, tumble dryer vent hose and stacked Tupperware lids.

Susan Samios, of Warwick Place, Worthing, said: “It looks like a slab of pancakes.

“The height is a slight improvement but it still looks like nothing on Earth.

“I am for going ahead but it has got to be visually stunning and has got to blend in with Worthing.”

Bob Williams, of Steyne Gardens, Worthing, was more positive about the design.

He said: “I liked the first one and I like this one.

“The Aquarena is just such an eyesore. We have got to have new houses, as everybody says. Worthing has got the Downs on one side and the sea on the other so we have to go up.”

Mark Goulding, of Brighton Road, believed the design was ‘softer’ than the previous scheme, and said the latest plans were more ‘visually pleasing’.

The Save our Seafront group, which campaigned against the original Roffey Homes plans, reported the latest designs were a ‘huge improvement’.

But they warned the tower, designed by renowned architects Allies and Morrison, was still too high.

The exhibition, held at the Chatsworth Hotel, in Steyne Gardens, was attended by more than 200 people.

Mr Cheal said: “It was great to talk with so many people taking an interest in the regeneration of the old Aquarena site.

“Like them, as a local company we want a design that is ‘of Worthing’ and that we can all be proud of.

“We want to say thank you to everyone so far for giving us their views. We’ll now take these into account as we develop our plans, and we’ll then hold a second exhibition to present our final design before a planning application is submitted.”

What do you think of the design?

Comment below, or email your thoughts to [email protected]