Plans

The project will aim to distribute heat through a network in Worthing from three industrial-scale air-source heat pumps, or ‘heat absorbers’, on the roof of the High Street multi storey car park, supplemented by gas boilers during busy periods.

The plans also show the two-storey energy centre building and a single-storey substation on the verges in front the car park, along with a cylindrical ‘thermal store’ – an insulated tank of hot water required by the centre function. The heat pumps will be connected to the centre by a flue vent.

A 2.4-metre high perimeter fence encompassing the centre and substation will be erected, with acoustic panels lining the edge of the car park roof to reduce the overall noise of the fans.

To view plans visit https://planning.adur-worthing.gov.uk/online-applications/ and search AWDM/1439/23.

The Worthing Heat Network was agreed by Worthing Borough Council in April at a full council meeting, and will see about £7.5million invested in the scheme, which is hoped to be up and running by 2025.

The goal is to help the council become carbon-neutral by 2030, by appointing ‘heat network specialists’ Hemiko Power, previously Pinnacle Power, to design, build and maintain a network of air source heat pumps to generate renewable energy.

Architects for Hemiko Power, NORR, said the building would be in place for the next 50 years, after which it should be replaced by better renewable technology, but there was ‘potential’ for the building to be removed in the ‘nearer term’ if the car park is redeveloped.