Residents and businesses are to be asked for their ideas on how Lancing can be redeveloped for the benefit of the whole community.
Lancing Assembly: Now and into the Future will involve Adur District Council and Lancing Parish Council teams meeting with groups of locals to discuss what the big issues for the area are, and what needs to be prioritised.
Their answers will be used to prepare plans for how Lancing could be improved using government money or other funding opportunities. This will include a bid to the government's Levelling Up Fund in 2023.
The groups have been selected to represent different sections of the local population, so that different voices can be heard, including young and older people, families and traders.
They will be given the latest data on the local economy, population and climate - such as the numbers of empty shops, what ages of people live in Lancing and the expected impact of climate change on the area - and asked what they think the village needs most.
The first sessions take place this week and will continue for a month. The members of the groups will then be invited to come together to consider all of the ideas they have had, and to decide on a list of shared community goals and priorities for Lancing.
The list will be used by the Council, with Lancing Parish Council, West Sussex County Council and partners, to draft proposals that could bring the most benefit, such as the redevelopment of Lancing Police Station, North Road’s shops or the seafront. The priorities will also assist with the development of the next Adur Local Plan - the planning document which will set out where developments can happen.
Local community and voluntary groups are helping to set up Lancing Assembly: Now and into the Future. It is hoped that the assembly will help strengthen the way the Councils work with the community.
Cllr Steve Neocleous, Adur’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategic Planning, said:
“Being Lancing born and bred I can vouch for the fact that it's a great place to live, but it's looking a little tired here and there and it could be made even better with some targeted investment.
“The community knows the area best, so instead of just telling them what we think is needed, we’re going to ask them to work with us to design a new future for the village. It’s the perfect example of different groups in the community working together for everyone’s benefit.
“I’m delighted to be part of Lancing Assembly and am looking forward to joining the other members of the community to improve the village in the ways that residents want.”
Cllr Mike Mendoza, the Chairman of Lancing Parish Council, said:
“We look forward to working with our community groups to help make Lancing ‘THE PLACE TO LIVE’.
“We welcome the proposed approach to seek investment from the Government.”
The Council hopes to be able to share its draft proposals for how Lancing could be reinvigorated early in the new year, ahead of bidding for government funding. For updates and more information visit:
