New cafe plans for Worthing's Brooklands Park approved

The transformation of Worthing's Brooklands Park into an attractive destination with regional appeal has taken a big step forward after detailed plans for a new cafe were approved.

Worthing Borough Council's proposals for an attractive timber clad building were given the green light by the Planning Committee.

The new cafe, which is made of sustainably-sourced materials, will include a kitchen, indoor seating and a large sheltered decking area for alfresco dining alongside cycle parking and three public toilets, one of which will be fully accessible.

It will form a new attractive entrance way at the Western Road entrance way of the 45-hectare open space, replacing the outdated existing toilet block.

The Council will now begin the process of appointing contractors to carry out the work with construction set to get underway next year.

Teams are also due to begin the construction of a new adventure playground at the popular park early in the new year, with both projects forming part of the multimillion pound masterplan to transform the open space into an attractive family-friendly destination.

Cllr Edward Crouch, Worthing Borough Council's Executive Member for Digital & Environmental Services, said: “Brooklands Park is a real jewel in the crown of Worthing which is why I am so committed to seeing this much-loved open space transformed into an attractive family-friendly destination.

“This was always going to take time and I thank everyone, particularly those who live nearby to the park, for their ongoing patience as we bring our masterplan together.

“I'm delighted we have been able to secure permission for the new cafe and look forward to work getting started in the coming months.”

The application approved by the Planning Committee last month (24th November 2021) is a variation of the previous permission secured in February 2020.

Officers and consultants had previously put forward plans for a larger cafe. But after review a smaller model was proposed that is conducive to the overall park and allows more money from the £3 million project to be spent on landscaping, new walkways and playgrounds.

It forms part of the wider masterplan to transform the open space which was first unveiled in 2018 and updated in 2020.

In addition to the cafe, the new features for Brooklands Park will be:

• an adventure play area to house 30 pieces of equipment, two of which are climbing frames more than 4m 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 1.55 miles (2.5km) 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

This is the second stage of the Brooklands Park project. Two years ago the lake and stream were the subject of extensive restoration work with silt removed, free flowing water channels created and windmill oxygenators installed so that the fish, wildlife and plant life could thrive.