Littlehampton Seafront Design Scheme

Plan of the new design for the Littlehampton seafront.

Number 1 - Banjo Road which is accessed from South terrace. The coach parking has been reconfigured to allow space to the south for tree planting and a marketplace. An outline of the Ferris wheel area is shown in the coach parking area.

Number 2- the marketplace which is a new site south of the coach parking and north of Stage by the Sea, for visiting market events with pop-up power, lighting and 4 fixed units for concessions rental.

Number 3 - activity hub which has been located west of the marketplace and Stage by the Sea. It covers a large area of the seafront green and links up with the southeast corner of the car park and the foreshore area to the west. The hub will include activities such as climbing, beach volleyball, boules and seating areas.

Number 4 - water play feature between the car park and the seafront promenade and at the west of the activity hub. The water feature will include channels, pools and a small number of jets.

Number 5 - pedestrian footpath which runs along the east side of the car park to link the town centre, car park and seafront arrival.

Number 6 - car park accessed from South terrace which is to be resurfaced and reconfigured to join up with the pedestrian entrances and new amenities.

Number 7 - location of the new toilet block between the Windmill Theatre and Harbour Park and the new foreshore building to the west of the activity hub. 

Key

1 - Banjo Road: reconfigured coach parking layout for Ferris wheel and marketplace

2 - Marketplace: new site for visiting market events/ pop-up power, lighting and 4no. fixed units for concessions rental

3- Activity hub: a new area of seafront activity including climbing, beach volleyball, petanque and seating areas

4 - Water play: new interactive water feature including channels, pools and a small number of water jets

5 - Beach road arrival: enhanced pedestrian spine route linking the town centre, car park and seafront arrival

6 - South Terrace car park: resurfaced/ reconfigured car park to align with pedestrian entrance and amenities

7 - New WC and foreshore buildings: new landscape responding to new buildings

Plan of the new design changes for the Littlehampton seafront from the image shown beforehand. The plan is numbered as follows. 

Number 3 - activity hub which has been located west of the marketplace and Stage by the Sea. The hub will now include activities such as half a basketball court, a bouldering climbing wall located by the beach volleyball to help contain the sand from winds, boules, BBQs and seating areas.

Number 5 - pedestrian footpath which runs along the east side of the car park to link the town centre, car park and seafront arrival, which will now increase in width slightly.

Number 6 - overflow car park accessed from South Terrace which is to be resurfaced and reconfigured to join up with the main current car park.

Number 7 - location of the new foreshore building west of the activity hub, located behind the Windmill Theatre, which has been turned 180 degrees to allow the safety of rescue vehicle storage and access for the land train to operate.

Key

3 - Activity hub: mix and layout of activities

5 - Beach Road arrival: arrival experience and setting of South terrace

6 - South terrace car park: enhanced surfacing and setting of South terrace

7 - New WC and foreshore buildings: design and layout of foreshore building

Existing condition 482 spaces in total.

Reconfigured car park: main car park has 455 spaces and 488 parking bays in total.

Key

• orange shading for 8 electric charging spaces - (location A or B - to be confirmed with Arun District Council with supply from existing National Grid)
• blue shading for 2 trade spaces (exact location - to be confirmed)
• dark green shading for 6 private spaces  (exact location - to be confirmed)
• red shading for 17 blue badge spaces
• light green shading - retain existing bin store area (re-provide as new)
• purple shading - car/taxi drop-off area

New car park layout with access from the South terrace and exit onto Windmill Road. Light green shading shows the area of the existing overflow car park, which will be surfaced with permeable grasscrete.

Orange shading of 8 proposed electric vehicle parking bays labelled (A) which is located within the car park adjacent to Windmill Road and labelled (B) located along the top of the car park adjacent to South terrace.

Red shading shows a proposal of 17 blue badge parking bays located in front of the Windmill building and located to the east of the Windmill theatre a row of car parking bays in red leading to a public footpath

Light blue shading to the east of the Harvester for 2 trade spaces and directly behind these is a dark green shading for 6 parking bays for private spaces.

Rows of parking spaces running north to south with pedestrian access routes running west to east to link up with Beach Road arrival. New trees and shrubs are to be planted in the car park.

Design inspiration photos:

• pedestrian walkway through a car park, the route has lighting bollards and trees on either side
• car park laid with permeable grasscrete
• cars parked with low, informal shrub planting along the edge

Sketch Image

Car park facing southwest from Beach Road pedestrian entrance towards the activity hub. A pedestrian route through the car park is shown linking with the north-south footpath which leads to the activity hub. There are trees planted along the footpath with public benches and shrub planting along the edge of the car park.

A new toilet block is located to the west of the Windmill Theatre and a new foreshore building is to the east of the existing shelter. New footpaths east of the foreshore building lead people through the activity hub to Banjo Road and marketplace, through new planting and picnic areas. A water feature formed of shallow rock pools and jets is the main feature.

Key features include:

• new toilet block and foreshore building with existing shelter retained
• trees and plants providing shade and structure to communal spaces and between buildings
• rock pools, waterfalls, and a small number of water jets for the water play area ­
• social spaces with benches, picnic tables and pergolas ­
• pedestrian routes in timber stamped concrete/ exposed aggregate concrete

Photo design inspirations show:

• children playing in a water feature constructed from slabs of rock, with water jets spraying in different directions
• a footpath winding through low herbaceous planting which is banked on the right-hand side.  There are trees and bridge structures in the background. In the foreground, there is a post with signage
• group of people sitting at a picnic table in a parkland setting
• low planting on a shingle bed growing among rocks and weathered timber

Sketch image

The sketch looking west across the water play area (towards the Foreshore building) shows the water play feature formed from shallow rock pools and water jets. There are trees and grass areas, and the new single-storey foreshore building is in the background.

The image shows several different angles of the new toilet block, which is a narrow single-story building with curved ends. The end curve extends and is supported by pillars. There is a circular hole in the roof which allows a tree to grow through it. A circular bench surrounds the tree trunk allowing seating for visitors. A row of colourful toilet cubicle doors (blue, orange, pink, green and yellow) stretches along the side of the building.

There is another image giving a birds eye view of the toilet layout starting from the north end there are family cubicles, followed by single toilet cubicles on either side of the building, accessible toilets, urinals, storage access, changing places toilet, followed by outdoor showers in a circular layout allowing a walkway through the middle either side for access.

The image shows the new foreshore building at different elevation angles, the east elevation shows two roller shutter doors, along with 3 standard doors and the main exterior is timber cladding all the way around. The north elevation shows the roof is at a pitched angle, there is a slightly lower storage building attached to the back with a roller shutter door, this will be the land train unit.

The activity hub is located west of the marketplace. There are footpaths linking the activities together which include a sensory area, beach volleyball with a supporting bouldering wall to contain sand, BBQ and lawns, a basketball area and a boules area. Part of the water play also extends into this area. New planting around the edges of lawns creates places to sit.

Activities include:

• sand and water play ­
• quieter sensory area ­
• bouldering wall ­
• beach volleyball court ­
• petanque areas ­
• basketball area ­
• 5km jogging route with route markers ­
• seating and relaxation facilities, including barbeque areas

Photos showing design inspiration:

Children playing on rocks with shallow pools of water, people relaxing in hammocks, people playing beach volleyball and teenagers playing in a basketball court.

Sketch image

The sketch shows a path winding through a parkland setting with trees and low planting. There is a beach volleyball area to the left of the path and beyond there are water play pools and a half basketball court area. There are also seating and pergola structures.

Banjo Road which is accessed from the South Terrace has 4 spaces for coach parking. The existing curved area to Banjo Road has been reconfigured to a square layout for coach parking and turning areas, with space for another 12 coaches. An outline of the Ferris wheel area is shown in the coach parking area. To the south of the coach parking, there is a grid of tree planting called a marketplace. To the south of the trees and north of Stage by the Sea there are 4 permanent concession stalls. There is new planting shown along the west side of Banjo Road, with routes through for pedestrians. There are footpaths leading off to the west to link with the activity hub. The Stage by the Sea is shown as being retained.  

Photos showing design inspiration:

• rows of planted trees to give shade, people enjoying a picnic socialising in open space
• temporary stalls for events, along with a fixed concession unit offering refreshments

Sketch image

Grid of trees with temporary market stalls beneath and the permanent concession units to the south. There are people standing and walking among them. To the right, there are canopies from temporary market stalls.

Design plans for the concessions building showing the proposed ground floor plan, roof plan, south elevation when open, south elevation when closed, west, east and north elevations, building with open panels and building with closed panels. 

The south elevation when open shows two open shutters with menus on either side and an open space in the middle where customers would get served. 

Aerial sketch of the whole scheme looking from the southwest corner. The sea, beach and promenade are shown on the right, with the existing concession building located at the edge of the project site. The new toilet block and foreshore are located directly north of the concession building with the existing shelter and pumping station between them. The water play and activity hub are shown east of the foreshore building and are connected with a series of footpaths and lots of new planting. The marketplace and coach park lie further still to the east.

Your age group?

Age	Number of responses
0-11	6
12-18	7
19-25	15
26-39	101
40-60	168
61-75	134
75+	33

 

454 responses:

• Littlehampton: 328
• Rustington / East Preston: 86
• Arundel / Yapton: 13
• Arun District (other): 8
• West Sussex (other): 11
• Outside West Sussex: 8
• Not given: 11

(select all that apply)

3. How did you hear about the consultation?

Response	Number of responses
Littlehampton Gazette	32
Poster / banner	44
Email	37
Social media	226
Local radio	4
Word of mouth	83
Arun District Council website	51
Letter through post	46
Other (please specify)	38

 

4. I support the car park proposals shown on the image

Response	Number of responses
Strongly agree	218
Somewhat agree	135
Neither agree nor disagree	51
Somewhat disagree	26
Strongly disagree	26

 

5. I support the proposals for Banjo Road and the marketplace on the image

Response	Number of responses
Strongly agree	223
Somewhat agree	128
Neither agree nor disagree	32
Somewhat disagree	32
Strongly disagree	40

6. I support the inclusion of new food or retail outlet units shown in the image

Response	Number of responses
Strongly agree	256
Somewhat agree	105
Neither agree nor disagree	35
Somewhat disagree	27
Strongly disagree	35

7. I support the proposals for the activity hub (East) shown on the image

Response	Number of responses
Strongly agree	265
Somewhat agree	118
Neither agree nor disagree	29
Somewhat disagree	20
Strongly disagree	27

8. I support the inclusion of planting to suit the local climate and ensure minimal maintenance and greatest success

Response	Number of responses
Strongly agree	372
Somewhat agree	60
Neither agree nor disagree	12
Somewhat disagree	5
Strongly disagree	12

9. I support the proposals for the activity hub (west)

Response	Number of responses
Strongly agree	274
Somewhat agree	121
Neither agree nor disagree	23
Somewhat disagree	16
Strongly disagree	24

10. I support the proposal to replace the existing toilets by the new building shown

Response	Number of responses
Strongly agree	320
Somewhat agree	80
Neither agree nor disagree	16
Somewhat disagree	13
Strongly disagree	33

11. Depending on cost and available budget it may be possible to choose a different combination of activities than those shown in the design. Please choose 4 from the list

Response	Number of responses
Water play featuring shallow pool	313
Climbing area - nets / wall	215
Beach volleyball	143
Boules area	140
Outdoor gym equipment	218
Toddler play features	191
Basketball half court	91
Giant swings	160
Table tennis	118

Summary of comments received

Summary of comments relating to the car park

Summary of comment	Number of comments received
Will increase flooding / ensure drainage to avoid flooding / consider type of surface	10
Parking provision likely to be insufficient / need to expand further	8
Include electrical vehicle charging points	4
Trees for shade / more planting to break up visual impact	4
Additional area will have negative visual impact	4
Clearer signage required	2
Consider size of parking spaces and modern cars	2
Cover parking spaces with solar panels	2
Do not include trees in car park	1
Additional lighting needed for safety	1
Further lighting will increase light pollution	1
Additional surface to be green / grass mats	1
Allow provision for campervans	1
Include measures to deter speeding / anti-social behaviour	1

 

Summary of comments relating to Banjo Road and marketplace

Summary of comments	Number of comments received
Retail to support and not compete with local business / be diverse / independent	17
Stage by the Sea is underused / too small / should be removed / replace with bandstand	13
Oppose concession / market units	10
Lease arrangements (operational hours / attract people out of season / flexible)	8
Support the concession units and market stalls / need more units to be sustainable	7
Do not agree with changing shape of Banjo Road	5
Electricity supply to be included for Stage by the Sea / other events	4
Marketplace to be flexible for range of events	3
Do not support reduction of coach parking spaces	2
Coaches should drop off and park elsewhere more beneficial to town	2
No coach parking – keep the greens ‘green’	2
Pleased to see coach parking retained / remove gated access	2
Do not permit sale of alcohol	2
Use area for alternative attraction – hotel / indoor facility	2
Support plans / nice feel / welcome the trees	2
Coach parking does not give right climate / environment message	1
There are too many coach parking spaces	1
Traders need good access to marketplace	1
Looks unattractive	1
Coach parking next to retail doesn’t sound safe	1
Don’t remove Banjo Road	1
Existing gardens need more planting	1
Remove Banjo Road to deter joy riders	1
Include signage to toilets	1
Include as many trees / planting as possible for shade	1

 

Summary of comments relating to the activity hub (buildings)

Summary of comments	Number of comments received
Oppose the provision of unisex toilets	11
Design to consider impact on theatre access for Windmill / noise during construction	8
Need additional toilets in other locations	6
As well as unisex retain some cubicles for gender specific use / female only	5
Good idea for toilet block / better provision	4
Opening hours to be reviewed / considered	3
Toilet block and foreshore building should swap locations	2
Foreshore building is unattractive / dominating	2
Architecture to reflect art deco period / not wooden clad boxes	2
Consider door opening and prevailing wind	2
Too many cubicles on toilet block (length of time to lock/unlock / maintenance costs)	2
Toilets should be free to use	2
Suitable number of toilets (don’t reduce facilities) and made gender neutral	2
Toilets overdesigned and too many	2
Don’t agree with urinals as well as unisex	2
Architectural design needs to be better coordinated	1
Views of sea from foreshore building / retain existing office	1
Cubicles doors to not open onto toilet	1
Materials need architectural merit / not be utilitarian	1
Not easy to see if cubicles are occupied	1
Toilet block design does not allow for enough shelter, privacy and circulation space	1
Consider adding 2nd floor to existing concessions building	1
Move away from ‘modern art’ approach to architecture	1
Best thing – new toilet block	1
Toilets should be pay to use	1
Money spent previously upgrading existing toilets	1

 

Summary of comments relating to the activity hub (activities)

Summary of comments	Number of comments received
Provision of storage for Park Run equipment	10
Oppose activities / keep it natural / preserve green area	10
Activity suggestions are exciting / fantastic / beneficial to area	9
Activities to be accessible for people with disabilities	9
Ensure activities for teenagers	8
Table tennis needs to be sheltered from wind / won’t work in this location	8
Consider alternative activities (trampoline / jet skis / mini football / padel court, lido)	5
BBQs to be retained / additional needed	5
Support gym equipment / use by PT groups / older age groups	5
Gym equipment to be spaced out along prom / better in Mewsbrook Park	4
Include activities able to accommodate large numbers in summer e.g. water play	4
Supervision / staffing of activities / first aid	4
Water play with rocks would be unsafe / include area for very young children	3
Design looks busy and cluttered / too many activities in one area	3
Sand will get blown around	3
Focus on children / families	3
Oppose ferris wheel	3
Upgrade land train to electric to reduce noise	2
How will dogs be kept away from play activities?	2
Water play is not needed when you have the sea	2
Support sand play / consider sand play with pulleys and diggers	2
Encourage beach volleyball clubs to use area	2
Picnic areas to be retained	2
Replicates other local facilities which just need improvement / scheme not needed	2
Different range of play activities which are suitable for more children	1
Water play presents issue with H&S, noise, water restrictions	1
Boules can be used all year round	1
Basketball would be a noise nuisance	1
Gym bikes to power fountains	1
No one will use gym equipment	1
Climbing wall sounds dangerous if unsupervised	1
Will generate more noise from visitors, loud music etc	1
No more skate parks	1
How will it look in autumn / winter?	1
Include facilities for young adults / adults who will spend money in the area	1

 

Summary of comments on planting

Summary of comments	Number of comments received
Enhancing landscape / natural planting will be positive	5
Commitment needed to maintain planting	4
Plant species need to suit the location	4
More planting to prevent flooding	2
Allow for plenty of green space for informal recreation as well as new facilities	2
More trees should be included / larger trees	1
More planting needed in car park	1
Avoid trees in car park – damage to vehicles	1
Involve community in planting	1
Like paths winding through planting	1
Consider anti-social behaviour – keep planting open	1
More shade from trees is needed – perhaps memorial trees	1
Colourful flower beds	1

 

Summary of other comments

Summary of comments	Number of comments
General positive and supportive comments	36
Consideration to maintenance of scheme / funding	16
Allow for more shelter	14
More litter bins needed / more litter generated	12
Include adequate / more seating	10
Scheme will impact on sea views / green open space	9
Concern for anti-social behaviour / security / policing	9
Project to allow for green energy (solar, wind, tidal)	7
Allow for signage / links to town centre and railway	7
Allow for cycle racks / secure / covered cycle parking	6
Scheme to be dog friendly / more dog bins	6
Allow for CCTV / security / policing	6
Design impact of covenants / opportunities to challenge / benefits to adjacent business	5
Energy efficient lighting / resource efficient materials / reduce carbon footprint	3
Consultation period / promotion inadequate / locations not accessible	3
Scheme to be high quality (as riverside walkway).	2
All project materials to be graffiti and vandal proof	2
Keep walkways clear of dog mess / enforcement	2
Include low level lighting / lighting	2
Include water refill stations along seafront	2
Include lockers to store kit for visitors when on / in the sea	2
Deliver within allocated funds and on programme	2
Encourage more cycling not cars	2
Look at Terry Farrel proposals	1
Consider existing events (bonfire)	1
Allow for more dog-free areas	1
Reinstate original features (tiled edging behind beach huts, grass verges)	1
Allow for celebration of ethnicities	1
Include signage for education (seashell / seaweed)	1
Consider location for helicopter landing	1
Do not increase council tax to pay for this	1

 

 

Other comments – outside project scope

Request for Park Run markings on promenade / avoid impact on course	32
Funding should be used elsewhere in the town / options to use on other facilities	30
Investment / decoration of existing buildings (concession building / Windmill)	12
Enable access to beach for wheelchair users	7
Resident permits scheme / impact of additional visitors on local roads	7
Funding contribution from adjacent businesses towards scheme?	6
Continue with free parking after 6pm	4
Road needs to be 20mph with zebra crossing by mini station / speed enforcements	2
Pedestrian only area for Pier Road / traffic changes	2
Visual impact of off-shore wind turbines	2
Pontoons for angling on West Bank	1
Extend scheme further to Mewsbrook Park	1
Prom markings for running and cycling	1
Remove existing buildings next to coastguard station	1
Funding for faster broadband connection	1
Town retail improvements	1
South Terrace looks shabby	1
Minimal parking charges to encourage use of car park and not local streets	1
Allow flexible parking times	1

 

Comments received from Littlehampton Town Council’s Resources Committee

The opportunity for further investment in the seafront was broadly welcomed but Members did have some reservations. These related to the impact on the town centre which it was hoped would benefit from the recent programme of public realm improvements.

The committee therefore wished to see improvements on the seafront that complemented the Town Centre. Having considered the plans in more detail, the following comments and suggestions were noted:

• the formalised parking provision was welcomed, and Members wished to see more electric vehicle charging points.
• coaches limited to drop off and pick up only at the seafront, with parking provision sited in the Town Centre car parks to encourage footfall through the town centre and then on to the seafront.
• more thought needed to be given to creating a route to and from the Town Centre to the Beach. It was also suggested that a Land Train be explored.
• parking provision needed for large vehicle deliveries of performance equipment to the Windmill Theatre.
• the concept of introducing a market in Banjo Road was not supported and as an alternative Members wished to see provision for more “pop up” concessions on the seafront.
• observing that the Stage by the Sea was under used, Members suggested that with some creative thinking, improvements could be made to make it a more functional area that could host a wider range of outdoor performances encouraging greater use including more seating. There was also some support for the introduction of a bandstand in a prominent location and Members wondered if this had been considered.
• consideration of improvements to the exterior of the Windmill Theatre to compliment the new plans for the seafront.
• many of the additional facilities were welcomed and Members wished to see more BBQs, water stations, and rubbish bins, including clear labelling to encourage recycling and showers on the beachfront.
• screening / protection for the play areas to prevent sand making them unusable.