Regeneration in Littlehampton

Littlehampton Regeneration

Recent major regeneration projects such as the East Bank redevelopment at Littlehampton harbour have had a transformational effect on this quintessential English seaside town. The true assets of the town, Blue Flag beach, functioning harbour and busy town centre are apparent to all. The potential for business growth and relocation are also evident. Future property development opportunities are being brought forward and the town has a clear vision for how it wants to improve and the changes that need to be made.

New Café and Water Sports venue to be launched on Littlehampton seafront

Planning consent has been given for a new café and water sports venue set to begin development on Littlehampton seafront in Spring 2019. The venue will be located on the seafront opposite the Skate Park where the under-used promenade shelter is currently situated. The venue will offer customers the opportunity to have a meal while enjoying the fantastic sea views. The facility, which is yet to be named, will fill an important gap in the market, linking the venue to the main visitor seafront, Littlehampton Wave leisure facilities and Mewsbrook Park, making this area of seafront more appealing.”

The facility will offer kite surfing and stand-up paddle boarding lessons, as well as on-site amenities such as toilets, showers, shelter and cycle racks with an investment of £500k, creating 10 full time jobs and 12 part-time jobs for the area.

We are advised that building contractors are in the process of being appointed and works are expected to start soon after, with the proposed build programme expected to take at least six months.

new cafe

Littlehampton Town Centre Public Realm Improvements

Illustrative Plan of Area A £3.5 million improvement project to transform Littlehampton town centre into a more attractive and vibrant place to visit, shop and enjoy has been scheduled to start in early 2021.

Littlehampton town centre boasts a wide range of independent, national and family run businesses and Littlehampton Town Centre Public Realm Improvements project will breathe new life into the shopping area and match people’s changing shopping and leisure habits.

The project is part of long-term strategic plans to regenerate Littlehampton and secure its future as a great place to live, work, shop and visit.

In Littlehampton town centre, the scheme includes: -

Improving links from Littlehampton Railway Station into the town centre to make arriving in the town by train a more welcoming experience.
Updating road layouts and traffic flow to give pedestrians priority and maximise public open spaces.
Resurfacing existing pavements, roads and pedestrianised areas to create an attractive, more unique, co-ordinated look for the town centre.
Replacing existing benches, seating, trees, public art, signage and street furniture to open sight lines and make the town centre a more enjoyable place to visit and spend time.
Making it easier for shoppers and visitors to navigate their way around the town centre on foot.
Contributing to the overall strategic regeneration plans for Littlehampton, including improving links between the town centre, riverside and seafront.

Visit the Littlehampton Town Centre Public Realm Improvements page to find out more (page will be live soon).

OPEN FOR BUSINESS – Return to retail

The disruption for shops and businesses caused by Coronavirus has been a bitter blow.

Our priority during the crisis has been helping shops and businesses access government grants and financial support.

The District Council awarded £29 million in government grants to Arun’s businesses and used a further £1.5 million in discretionary grants to support businesses who did not qualify for grants.

We also helped shops and businesses to re-open safely with our A Return to Retail campaign.

In addition to providing social distancing signage and two community information wardens to help shoppers adjust to the new rules, we funded a radio and media campaign encouraging people to “Stay Safe – Shop Local – Be Kind.”

Our independent traders and small businesses need your custom more than ever and you can help by doing your shopping in the town centre.

Shopping local is the best way we can make sure Littlehampton thrives in the “brand new world” of retail after Coronavirus.

We will make sure Littlehampton shops can stay open during the planned town centre public realm improvements works.

Littlehampton seafront design scheme

Vibrant new concept designs have been created which give a flavour of how parts of Littlehampton could look in the future. The set of illustrations show aspirations for the Seafront Greens and promenade, alongside areas which link the town, riverside and seafront parts of the town.

The dramatic artist’s impressions are a result of public consultation carried out in the spring to discover how residents would like to see Littlehampton transformed. This second phase of the design project, which was funded by a Coastal Revival grant, followed on from work already undertaken in the town centre. Having the designs in place will help to enable the Council to apply for external funding in the future with the vision of turning the plans into a reality.

“The East Bank regeneration has proved extremely popular with locals and visitors alike, and we are pleased that these conceptual design principles have been supported. With designs as strong as these, we stand a much better chance of attracting external funding to help deliver projects which rejuvenate Littlehampton seafront.” The conceptual proposals have been developed by LDA Design; Landscape Architects previously appointed to work with the Council to deliver the award-winning East Bank scheme and the design plans for Littlehampton town centre, which the Council aims to develop as and when funding is secured.

view

East Bank Tidal Flood Defence Scheme

The Littlehampton East Bank Flood Defence scheme has been a major development for the town, costing in the region of £19 million, that will significantly reduce tidal flood risk. The Environment Agency, in partnership with Arun District Council, has now completed the scheme (April 2015), offering a stunning public realm finish which will significantly support the regeneration of the town. New lighting, seating and bins have been provided, together with improved railings, planting and surface finishes.

The Environment Agency secured Government funding to replace the ageing flood defences between the mouth of the harbour to upstream of the A259 bridge. This new flood defence wall along the riverside will reduce tidal flood risk to more than 1,900 residential and over 500 commercial properties over the next 100 years, allowing for climate change.

Since the new East Bank walkway has been opened, the attractive area has now become very popular with visitors and the local community making the whole waterfront experience more appealing, better linking the town with the existing seafront promenade.

West bank development

West Bank has the potential to provide a significant regeneration scheme on the banks of Littlehampton harbour. Its close proximity to the river and coast gives the opportunity to revitalise the area in a way that complements its surroundings and natural assets. The Council would like to explore ideas for regeneration and develop planning policy that provides landowners and developers with clear guidance. The vision is to create a new quarter that combines, new homes, businesses, recreation, public space, footpaths, innovation, culture and heritage.

Further information

If you would like to learn more about the decision making process, please visit our Littlehampton regeneration sub committee page.