Community-Designed West Durrington Park To Go Ahead

A new community park in West Durrington that residents and local groups helped to design has been given the green light.

Planning permission has been granted for a new play park and multi-use games area as well as junior football pitches and community allotments on the land to the north of Fulbeck Way, West Durrington.

The park has been designed to cater for all ages, genders and abilities, with designated zones and disability-friendly equipment including a carousel and seesaw suitable for wheelchair users. 

Younger children will benefit from sound play areas, with chimes and rain wheels, as well as a ground level trampoline, swings and climbing units. An innovative parkour play area with challenging climbing obstacles has been designed to appeal to teenagers. 

West Durrington Community Park proposed plans (image: Eibe Play Ltd, from the planning application)

The park will feature a multi-use games area with ball court and three junior-sized football pitches. 

Plenty of benches, picnic tables and cycle stands have been incorporated into the design to encourage a communal feel and promote active travel. 

The approved plans also include fresh planting of trees, shrubs and hedges and 20 new allotment plots next to the existing Humber Avenue Community Allotments site. There will be a community orchard, a large community allotment and a community garden that is suitable for disabled users. 

In a bid to be a 'council for the community', which involves residents in the decision making process, last year Worthing Borough Council hosted a series of events, along with housebuilders Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Homes, to find out what facilities the community would like to see built. 

Over 80 local residents, including children, young people and representatives from a variety of community groups took part in three engagement events, with the ideas discussed directly informing the design.

Since then, the developer with the council’s support, has refined the plans to make sure the park and play equipment is safe, accessible and ties in with what the community wants. 

The developers say they will continue to keep the community informed about the delivery of the park, before the land is transferred to the council upon completion. It’s anticipated the works will be phased over 12 to 18 months, however those areas that complete early will be opened for public use. 

Cllr Vicki Wells, Worthing’s cabinet member for the environment, said:

“I am so glad that planning permission has been granted for this project. It has been a long time coming for the families and local residents of the 940 new homes in this area. Huge thanks to the dedicated residents and local groups who have been steadfast in their passion to create such a fantastic, inclusive community space.”

Please visit https://docs.adur-worthing.gov.uk/PublicAccess_Live/SearchResult/RunThirdPartySearch?FileSystemId=DA&FOLDER1_REF=AWDM/0636/16 to view the plans in full.