Currently, this large area is used by only a few vehicles.

Sussex Police Authority (SPA) is negotiating with a specialist company which would manage the parking and pay a percentage of the takings to the authority.

Worthing Borough Council has received a planning application to allow public use of the car park until May 31, 2010.

A Sussex Police spokesman told the Herald: "A developer has an option to purchase the site at an agreed price, and this option is scheduled for completion early next spring.

"However, until then, we are seeking to gain income from the site to reduce the ongoing cost of local authority council tax."

The spokeswoman said no parking costs had been discussed or agreed with the company, the name of which she said could not be released as no formal contract had been signed.

But Herald enquiries at Worthing's planning department revealed the applicant was East Sussex County Council, with the agent named as Karspace Management, of Paddock Wood, Kent.

NCP might have seemed a front runner to be the specialist company.

Since April, 2004, it has managed most of the borough's 10 off-street car parks.

If Sussex Police chooses a company other than NCP, it might represent a sharp difference of opinion between the SPA and West Sussex and Worthing councils over the best choice of management — perhaps in view of the criticism of parking charges in Worthing.

The application will be considered by Worthing's development control committee at its September 30, or October 21 meeting.

Worthing has the most-expensive parking charges in West Sussex, click here to read more and join the vote.


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