Star Trek-style plan for Worthing seafront

Beam Me Up Scottie!

This is how Splash Point on Worthing seafront could look after a £500,000 revamp.

But there are more likely to be fishermen and sunbathers rather than Klingons on the starboard bow.

The Star Trek-style concept, which some have likened to the Starship Enterprise, has been tabled by one of four firms shortlisted for the contract.

The competing plans will go on show at Worthing Town Hall, Chapel Road, from Monday, August 24, to September 4.

The Trekkie design was tabled by Scott Wilson, which said it wanted to “create a place to relax and appreciate the wide expanse of sea and sky during daytime, and at night to create a link to the constellations”.

The firm added: “It will provide a unique yet simple appreciation of the power of water and the mystery of the Universe.”

Features included a shining beacon in the middle of the circular layout, concentric rings representing “orbital constellations”, the signs of the zodiac set in the ground, and a boardwalk around the perimeter, over the rock sea defences.

Rivals Craft:pegg have gone for a grove of tamarisk trees with a red cycle path running through the middle, plus a scattering of boulders inside the sea wall.

Camlin Lonsdale's design depicts a “lookout” platform which resembles a diving board, although anybody jumping off would be in for a hard landing.

The submission from BDP Designs shows wave-like structures, which it said were “iconic and memorable”, surrounding a public performance area.

Worthing Borough Council said it welcomed comments from the public prior to the judging panel deciding which design to choose.

Council regeneration programme manager Lynda Spain said: “This is such an exciting time – all the proposals are very different.

“The judging panel will have a difficult job deciding between them as they are all really original and innovative.”

Dan Thompson, of the Revolutionary Arts Group, said: “I think Craft:pegg are my favourites.

“They've really understood that Worthing is classy, subtle and distinctive rather than trying to make a big, brash landmark that could be anywhere on any seafront.”

Coun John Rogers, deputy leader of the council, who is one of the judges, said: “They are all exciting applications, and I am looking forward to hearing the public's views.

“I think there will be quite a good reaction to some of them. I can certainly picture at least one of the designs there, but I don't want to pre-judge anything.”

Worthing Arts Council has been granted £10,000 to draw up a programme of cultural events to be staged at Splash Point in the future.

Some have called for an open air amphitheatre where plays and concerts can be staged.

The area was formerly known as the town's Speakers' Corner but it has been decades since anybody stood up and delivered a sermon or lecture there.

The council recently scrapped plans for a £70,000 sculpture at Splash Point called Suncloud, featuring lights on poles, after technical difficulties with a test pole.

It is now urging sculptors to submit a fresh set of designs.

What do you think of the plans?

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4552236.Star_Trek_style_plan_for_Worthing_seafront/