Plans for Montague Gardens food kiosk recommended for approval despite opposition

Plans to install a food kiosk in Worthing town centre have been recommended for approval despite opposition from a heritage group and local residents.

Worthing Borough Council has applied to place a single storey timber kiosk in Montague Place as part of the Montague Gardens redevelopment, which is transforming the area into a green public space.

The proposal has been criticised by The Worthing Society, which described the structure as poor in design and warned it could undermine the original vision of restoring an open garden reflecting the site’s historic character.

Planning officers have recommended approval, stating the kiosk would be modest in scale and would help to animate the gardens without detracting from surrounding historic features. If approved, the unit would sell items such as food and ice cream, operate between 8am and 8pm, and be subject to restrictions preventing primary cooking on site. The application is due to be considered by the council’s planning committee on April 22.