Have your say on the future of Shoreham’s iconic cement works

Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration has urged residents to have their say on the potential redevelopment of the old Shoreham Cement Works.

South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA), which is the planning authority for the area, launched an eight-week public consultation at the start of June to find out what people want for the near-derelict site. That consultation period ends on Tuesday, August 2.

With four weeks to go, Cllr Steve Neocleous is calling for locals to submit their views on the long-term vision for the 109-acre site and inactive chalk quarry, which lies just over the border of Adur on both sides of the A283 towards Steyning.

He said: “The cement works is an iconic site in the area, but has been disused for too long. It sits in the beautiful South Downs National Park and it badly needs to be regenerated to the benefit of residents and visitors.

“This is a unique opportunity for Adur residents to have their say on the future of one of the south’s biggest brownfield sites that will deliver much-needed housing, as well as bring in new business and employment, boost leisure in the area and preserve and improve the natural habitat - all on our doorstep.”

The works ceased operating in 1991 and an Area Action Plan (APP) has been drawn up by the SDNPA. The APP is a mini local plan for the historic site that will guide any planning applications, based on what residents want to see in a redevelopment, including residential and commercial areas, as well as realms for wildlife and leisure.

The works are made up of five areas: 

• Adur riverside 
• the current buildings and iconic 91-metre brick-lined chimney designed by cement industry leader Oscar Faber
• the bowl - an amphitheatre of chalk created by cliffs
• the moonscape - a lunar-like expanse of land
• the clifflands that encircle the site.

Residents can submit their views via the SDNPA website where they will be asked about how the area can be developed whilst also conserving and enhancing the natural beauty and cultural heritage and creating new jobs.

Once the consultation has finished, SDNPA will prepare a Preferred Option version of the APP - a look at the acceptable options early next year - and detail any policies in which any planning application has to comply with. The public will then have a further chance to comment.

Shoreham Cement Works, which is owned by the Dudman Group, opened at the end of the 19th Century on the western part of the site next to the River Adur with the current buildings being completed in 1950. Chalk extraction was first granted in 1946 before being extended in 1950 and 1969.

Residents can also have their say by emailing planningpolicy@southdowns.gov.uk or by writing to: Planning Policy, South Downs National Park Authority, South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH.