Littlehampton Seafront Design Scheme
We have been awarded £7,234,201 Levelling Up Funding from the government to enhance the Littlehampton seafront green. The improvements are intended to attract more visitors to the area and boost the town’s economy. Plans were originally drawn up for the Littlehampton seafront area in 2016, and were consulted on in 2017. The Levelling Up Fund scheme focuses on the area west of, and including, Banjo Road and therefore has a reduced scope and cost from the original scheme.
The enhancements are set to include new toilets and beach showers, improvements to the car park including EV charging points, walkways and new sustainable planting matched to its coastal setting. Other highlights include new social spaces for activities such as water play, as well as new concessions units to increase the range of food on offer and an area for visiting market events. In addition, funding has been made available to include a Changing Places facility at the site.
Latest news
Design and build contractor, Neilcott Construction, appointed for the design and construction phase of the Littlehampton Seafront Scheme, has been progressing the designs and selecting the best materials for the seafront.
They have also prepared and submitted a planning application, which can be viewed on under planning reference number LU/246/23/PL. Our press release has more information about the application.
Neilcott Construction Ltd has been appointed to support and construct the scheme on site. They have reviewed the concept design and cost plan against the public consultation results. The updated masterplan was presented at Policy and Finance committee on 11 July 2023 and endorsed by committee members.
The project team can now progress to the detailed design phase and prepare a planning application for submission in late summer. It is expected that work will commence on site in early 2024.
Please see the Littlehampton seafront design masterplan [pdf] 17MB we have included an accessible text description of the pictures in this PDF for those that are unable to view it. Please open the individual headings below to read the descriptive version.
Landscape masterplan (stage 2)
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
Concept masterplan – main design changes
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
Proposals – car park and arrival
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.
Proposal activity hub (west)
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.
Toilet block
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.
Foreshore building
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.
Proposals of activity hub (east)
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.
Proposals for Banjo Road and marketplace
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.
Proposals for concessions buildings
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.
Results of public consultation
Results of public consultation
Following stakeholder engagement sessions, a public consultation ran between 21 October to 13 November 2022. The results can be found on this page. If you would like pie charts or graphs of the results or need them in a different format please email projectteam@arun.gov.uk.
Visualisation aerial sketch
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.
1. 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 |
2. Where do you live?
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
3. How did you hear about the consultation?
(select all that apply)
Response | Number of responses |
---|---|
Littlehampton Gazette | 32 |
Poster / banner | 44 |
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 |
12. Do you have any additional comments you wish to share about the scheme?
Summary of comments received
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 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 |
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.
Consultation display boards in PDF format can be downloaded here: Littlehampton seafront public consultation 2022[pdf] 12MB
We also have provided an accessible text description version for those who are unable to view the PDF pictures.