A blueprint to turn around the fortunes of the historic port town of Shoreham would see the redevelopment of various key sites.

And a plan is being drawn up by Adur District Council that could use council tax from people with second homes in the area to pay for some of the preparation work needed to get it off the drawing board.

The community centre, health centre and library could be moved from Pond Road or included in any new buildings to make way for commercial developers.

It will complement plans to regenerate Shoreham Harbour and build hundreds of new homes at Ropetackle - now under way after the land stood derelict for more than 30 years.

The report says commercial investment in Shoreham is strong, with £30 million being spent at Ropetackle and £250,000 being made available to promote the Shoreham town centre regeneration strategy.

There are also plans to redevelop the former Parcelforce site in Brighton Road, a former convent in Southdown Road and the former Sussex Wharf.

Other sites being investigated for development potential include The Ham open space and the council's civic centre car park.

Land to the north of Ropetackle, around Shoreham station, and on both sides of the River Adur at Coronation Green and Riverside, could also be made available.

Council strategy director Wojtek Boden said up to £40,000 could be available to allow preliminary work on the redevelopment to start quickly.

Of that, £10,000 could come from extra council tax raised from people with second homes in Adur.

The report is due to be discussed by the council's executive policy board on Tuesday.

Thursday March 18, 2004