A new commercial unit and three new housing properties have been created along a busy parade near to Worthing station, thanks to hard work and negotiation between its owners and Worthing Borough Council.

Having recently returned an empty property to use in partnership with YMCA DownsLink, Worthing Borough Council are delighted to have another success story under their belt, with bigger transformations and results than ever before.

 In recent years, 20 South Farm Road attracted many complaints due to its appearance and increasing levels of neglect - the property had a large van parked in front the majority of time to hide its decline into ruin. With no internal floors, roof in disrepair and the shop front below in danger of collapse, the property seemed almost beyond salvage.

 Following intervention from Worthing Borough Council’s Private Sector Housing team and the Empty Property Officer, Helen Stevens, negotiations were made with the mortgage company who agreed to take back control of the property after seeing its deterioration. After a short time being marketed by a local estate agent a sale was quickly completed in September 2014 to Chesters Gorman Properties who were quick to see the potential.

 In pursuit of making this shell into habitable environment, teams of local experts fitted new electrical and plumbing systems, working hard to strip, build, sand and repair the former empty property into three new much needed homes including a studio flat, a one bedroom flat and a two bed maisonette as well as the commercial unit space on the ground floor.

In little under a year, Worthing Borough Council and the property’s new owners have been able to offer homes to three people or families as well as a business opportunity in a prime location to any budding  businessmen/women.

 Councillor Dr Heather Mercer, Executive Member for Customer Services at Worthing Borough Council, said:

 “I am delighted that we’re pressing ahead to proactively bring empty properties back into use - especially when they’re as run down and dangerous as this one was.

 “Not only have the new owners created smart new homes for local people, but they have also given a local business fresh, modern, premises to work from.  Supporting local people, making local communities more pleasant and growing the local economy - this is a success story from every angle.”

 Sven Chesters, Partner at Chesters Gorman Properties adds:

 “We have been delighted to work with the Borough Council on this project.  The South Farm Road property was in a terrible condition, but in a prime location with plenty of potential.  We believe in  creating top quality homes for people to build their lives from, and hope that the people who move into the South Farm Road property will fall in love with it.”

If you know of an empty property which could be returned into use for a local family, please contact Worthing Borough Council’s Empty Properties Officer on 01273 263034.