Grants Research - University of Chichester Business School

The University of Chichester Business School are carrying out some basic research on the uptake of grants in the Coast to Capital region. We are not collecting any personal data, but you can choose to leave a name and email address if you want to be added to marketing emails form the University of Chichester regarding grant availability.

There are only two questions. The grants will be for 40% of project costs. The projects can be for capital expenditure or revenue expenditure. For example; product development, consultancy, graduate placements, market research, new equipment, new asset development.

Please click here to complete the survey 

New gateway for Shoreham Beach opens just in time for summer

Visitors to Shoreham Beach will get a fresh new welcome this summer as Adur District Council's work to redevelop a major gateway nears completion.

Plans have been afoot to regenerate the area to the south of the £11.5 million Adur Ferry Bridge since it opened in 2013.

After much input from community groups, partner organisations and West Sussex County Council, teams from Adur began work on the Riverside car park site last year.

In just a few months the area in Lower Beach Road has been transformed - and, with summer just around the corner, the revamped car park and walkway is now complete and open to all.

Councillor Emma Evans, Adur District Council's lead member for environment, said: "Having lived in the town for many years I know how special and unique Shoreham Beach is.

"This redeveloped gateway gives people yet another reason to visit, which is great news, not only for those who live and work on the beach, but for the tens of thousands of people who flock here from all over on foot, bikes and in cars.

"This is yet another example of how as a council we can provide a platform to boost business and tourism while celebrating and protecting our unique environment."

The £650,000 plans were first drawn up and went out to public consultation in 2012.

The aim was to create a more welcoming entrance to the beach for pedestrians and cyclists who cross the bridge from the town centre, while improving the existing car park.

New benches overlooking the river have also been installed as part of the project.

With much of the building work now complete, teams from Adur & Worthing councils parks team have been planting a variety of trees and shrubs.

Council contractors will then stop to allow the Environment Agency to complete parts of the on-going £25 million tidal walls scheme.

But those representing the area were delighted the area had become functional in time for the summer.

Joss Loader, Marine ward councillor and Chair of Shoreham Beach Residents' Association, said: "It's excellent news that the bulk of the project has been completed in time for the busy Spring and Summer months and we've had some very positive feedback from local people.

"This area is the main gateway to the beach for pedestrians and cyclists and it now creates an attractive, welcoming area that does our community proud.  The car park and public realm have been vastly improved - and the riverside seating area plus the new trees and shrubs have given the area a huge boost.

"Our thanks to the contractors, who have worked hard to keep disruption to a minimum and to the Ferry Road traders who have been extremely understanding and patient."

The car park will be open 24 hours a day with charges in place between 9am and 6pm.

Tariffs start from 50p for 30 minutes to £2.50 to four hours and £4 all day.

For more details on the project visit this page.

One of Shoreham's most recognised landmarks will soon be no more as Adur District Council's plans to regenerate the town centre take another step forward

For years the red-bricked Adur Civic Centre was the municipal heartbeat of the area.

But with council staff now relocated to the revamped Shoreham Centre, demolition teams have moved into the Ham Road site.

In just a few weeks, a hole can be seen in the side of the building as a large section has already been dismantled - with the cost being paid for by the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Adur District Council leader Neil Parkin said: "I'm delighted to see the progress being made to dismantle this landmark building.

"This is a triple win situation for us. We are not paying for the demolition, which takes the risk out of it; and once it's gone we will save more than £100,000 a year in business rates.

"But it also means we are able to move forward in redeveloping the wider site as part of our exciting plans to regenerate this part of the town centre.

"It is yet another example of how we can offer a platform for developers to create a high-quality scheme which will benefit the taxpayer and the wider area."

Council staff vacated the civic centre in 2013. Since then, Adur District Council has considered a number of options for the site.

A preferred developer was identified in 2015 to create a high-quality mixed use proposal but this deal didn't proceed for a variety of reasons.

To make the site more attractive to investors and developers, the council decided to push ahead with the demolition of the building.

This is scheduled to finish in autumn 2017.

During the demolition phase, the council's internal experts will be working out the next steps in how to maximise the potential of the key site. Any development is likely to include up to 150 homes and commercial space.

Across the road from the Civic Centre, the council is already pushing forward with plans to create a £10 million office development on the Ham Road car park.

A planning application is expected later in the year. The current pay and display facility will remain until work starts on site.

The puff of smoke! and A new President is chosen...

After due process the Chamber Selection Committee of seven of the Chamber Executive members have met, discussed and or interviewed the shortlist of the four applicants who applied for the role of President of the Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Selection Committee were very impressed by the calibre and quality of the candidates. "Any of the four could have made a very good President" was one comment. But when the secret ballot was taken, there was only the one Presidential vacancy to fill.

It is therefore with much pleasure and pride that we can announce that Chris Coopey, Practice Director at MHA Carpenter Box has accepted the Presidency for a term of three years from May 10th 2017.

Chris has previously served on the Executive Committee and has many contacts with economic forums, business leaders and Council senior management in West Sussex. We were very impressed by his enthusiasm, ambitions and ideas for what he described as "a fantastically important role!" 

Tina commented “ I consider the Chamber to be lucky to have four strong candidates apply. They all expressed a desire to continue the good work of the Chamber and are very keen to take the Chamber forward as the voice of business in Adur and Worthing. I am also very pleased to have received agreement from all the candidates to take up some leading roles within the Chamber so that we can all benefit from their support and input. This has turned out to be an amazing opportunity and I really look forward to working with them all!”  

Click the image above to download the full Brochure details for Courtlands, a 11,800 sq ft new possible investment opportunity, potential residential development or commercial use property based in Goring-by-Sea, Worthing.

Here is the link to the information pack which has further FLOOR PLANS  http://informationpack.michaeljones.co.uk/property/24/courtlands

Further Images can be found here  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ow778761adgmu7j/AABKsYsD2dXQgfGLaARRj56ja?dl=0

Adur District Council and Rampion partner in major facelift works on Shoreham Beach gateway

The Ferry Road entrance to Shoreham Beach Local Nature Reserve will receive a much-needed facelift after Rampion Offshore Wind agreed to fund a landscaping scheme to enhance this important footpath, which directly links Shoreham Town Centre to the Beach via the Ferry Bridge.     

Rampion’s support will include funds to redesign and upgrade the walkway that forms the final part of the link between the Shoreham pedestrian bridge and Shoreham Beach. The works will include sensitive and appropriate landscaping and planting, a bicycle rack, and signage, to create an impressive new public gateway.

At present the walkway is overgrown and unkempt and as the prime entrance to the beach, is ripe for improvement. The work will aim to ensure beachgoers have a positive welcome as they arrive at the beach, with a view of the wind farm straight ahead.

The work will be coordinated by the Parks & Open Spaces Department of Adur & Worthing Council and will include consultations and involvement of all the relevant community groups with an interest in the beach and local area.

Councillor Emma Evans, Adur District Council Executive Member for Environment adds “I am delighted that our successful partnership with Rampion has yielded this funding and will result in a much needed refurbishment programme, to enhance access to one of the most beautiful areas on the West Sussex coastline.

A new pedestrian friendly footpath will encourage residents and visitors alike to make greater use of Shoreham Beach.  In turn, this will attract greater tourist spend with local businesses.  It is no secret that Local Authorities across the UK are having to work closer with the business community and develop commercial partnerships to secure funding for schemes such as this.   I look forward to announcing more details of the planned public consultations due later in the Spring and urge all residents to take part and have their say in the future of this beautiful and much loved beach.”

Rampion Development and Stakeholder Manager, Chris Tomlinson said, “We are pleased to fund the Shoreham Beach gateway project, which will provide an enhanced environment and fitting welcome for visitors to the unique habitat of Shoreham Beach. The landscaping scheme will complete the integral pedestrian link from Shoreham town centre to the beach, and will have a positive impact on the surrounding area for residents and visitors alike

“In addition to the landscaping scheme, Rampion will fund the installation of a telescope on the beach so that people can take a closer look at the offshore environment, where in the coming months the wind farm will really begin to take shape as the turbines are gradually installed.”

Taking issues to the heart of Government

While Adur District Council has fought to set a balanced budget for the next year, last minute changes to the way that the Government distributes New Homes Bonus will dramatically increase pressure on maintaining that balance.

Last week, Councillor Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council, took the Council’s concerns to the heart of Government at a meeting with Marcus Jones, Under Secretary of State (Minister for Local Government).  

Cllr Parkin takes up the story:

“The new scheme will remove £214,000 from the Council’s revenue budget this year alone - and it appears that we now won’t receive any New Homes Bonus at all over the next three to five years.

“We have been successfully delivering housing growth in Adur, and have used the New Homes Bonus as one part of a financial strategy to keep our bin collections weekly, to keep investing in our communities and to keep Council Tax low.

“Constrained by the sea on one side and the Downs on the other, we simply don’t have enough available land to build homes of the required size which would make us eligible for the updated New Homes Bonus.

“We went to the Government with a simple request:  either to amend the updated New Homes Bonus system to make it fairer on Districts such as ours, or to implement a transitional arrangement allowing us to manage the loss of funding.

“We are now waiting for a response from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Gavin Barwell, and will be making our case in the consultation for the Fair Funding Review, which has a final consultation next summer.  We are proud of everything that we’ve achieved in Adur through sound financial planning and will continue to fight for what we believe should be ours for the benefit of our residents and taxpayers.”

The dramatic reduction in New Homes Bonus receipts follows changes to the scheme which favours the building of larger homes.  In the Adur District, most of the development space exists in brownfield or in-fill sites, or in opportunities to increase density - these are smaller properties in Bands A - C.

Additionally, the Council will not benefit from any empty homes being brought back into use, further compounding the issue.  

Adur & Worthing Council commits to sustainability programme and installs solar panels in key Council buildings