Brooklands transformation takes a step closer to reality

Plans to transform Brooklands Park into a jewel-in-the-crown destination have taken a big step forward.

Planning permission has been given to build a new state-of-the-art cafe, toilets and play area at the Park paving the way for the entire green space to be converted into a breathtaking science adventure park with the emphasis on fun and finding out.

The £3m Worthing Borough Council project will involve building:

• A new visitor hub including cafe with internal and external seating powered from sustainable resources
• An adventure play area to house 30 pieces of equipment, two of which are climbing frames more than 4 metres high
• An outdoor space for multi use events such as frisbee, football or other activities surrounded by seating
• A contemplative garden bordering the Teville Stream with new sensory planting
• A new accessible pathway circumnavigating the lake with seating areas and shelters
• A 2.5k fitness trail around the park
• A number of glades on the old golf course, including Community Garden, Play and Build, Nature, Wind and Winter, discrete areas sheltered by planting allowing for different community activities including food growing, seed sowing, play dens, bug hotels and bird boxes
• Windmill oxygenators for the lake as well as windmills and chimes in the Wind Glade
• A mount celebrating the highest point in the park, from which views of the sea gives a strong sense of place

Now council officers will be moving to the next stage of development, undertaking technical design before the construction work goes out to tender before the end of the year.

Leading landscape architects Turkington Martin are leading the project.

Director Mike Martin said, ‘We aim to create a unique landscape not found anywhere else in Worthing, allowing engagement with nature for everyone in new and exciting ways.’

Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, Cllr Edward Crouch said, ‘I’m pleased we have now cleared another important hurdle so that we can build new toilets and a fantastic new cafe for Brooklands.

‘Obviously lockdown has slowed down progress somewhat but we said we would revive this much-loved landmark into something everyone can be proud of again and that is exactly what we intend to do.’

A section of the south west corner of the park has been earmarked for indoor play and adventure and will be the subject of separate planning procedures at a later date.