Work begins at Union Gardens

We’re excited to announce that preparation works are beginning this month on our Union Gardens development, following completion of the purchase from Worthing Borough Council. After 16 years of this site sitting vacant, we’re finally bringing this prominent town centre location back to life.

The first part of the sale was completed at the end of January, marking a major milestone towards delivering 216 sustainable new residences in Worthing town centre. The NCP car park will close in early March, when we will complete the land purchase deal.

The journey to development

The path to this moment hasn’t been entirely straightforward. Originally planned as a partnership between Roffey Homes and Worthing Borough Council, the Council voted in January 2025 to sell their share to us, to speed up the delivery of much-needed housing in a key location in Worthing.

The site spans just over a hectare between High Street and the Connaught Cinema, and has been vacant since the former police station was demolished in 2009. Planning permission was granted in March 2024, so we’re now ready to move forward at pace.

Managing Director Ben Cheal said: “Union Gardens will deliver sustainable new homes in the centre of Worthing that are centred around three gardens built over public and private parking. The development has been carefully designed to appeal to a broad market, delivering one, two and three-bedroom homes at a range of prices. During the construction period, we will work with the community to minimise impact and will look to immerse ourselves in local initiatives.”

What to expect from Union Gardens

We’ve designed Union Gardens to deliver exceptional quality of life while creating an attractive new neighbourhood in one of Worthing’s most vibrant areas. Apartments will be spread across four buildings, and each home will benefit from private outdoor space. Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to a private lounge for relaxing and socialising. The standout feature – and the inspiration for the development’s name – will be three elegantly landscaped podium gardens at first-floor level. These green spaces will create a tranquil environment above the bustle of the town centre.

Environmental responsibility is central to everything we do at Roffey Homes, and so Union Gardens will feature enhanced insulation, biodiverse roofs, and a proposed connection to the Worthing Heat Network.

Investing in the Worthing community

The development of Union Gardens will provide far more than just new homes; it will enhance Worthing town centre for everyone. A 236-space car park beneath the podium gardens will include 146 spaces available for public use, and is scheduled to open in summer 2028 to address parking needs ahead of the apartments’ completion.

The scheme will also bring new life to the High Street, with 5,000 sq. ft. of prime commercial space, plus live/work units to support Worthing’s growing entrepreneurial community.

Since our establishment here in 1960, we have been committed to investing in Worthing. With apartments expected to be ready for sale from 2028 onwards, we’re looking forward to transforming this long-neglected brownfield site into a vibrant, sustainable community. We’ll be sharing regular updates on the development’s progress, and we look forward to welcoming the first residents to Union Gardens in the years ahead.

Find out more about Union Gardens or contact Max Harbron via max@roffeyhomes.com

NEWS