Talks have taken place between The Crown Estate, which manages the land on behalf of the Queen, owns the coastal seabed off the shores of the UK to a distance of 12 nautical miles and the Council to enter into a 'natural capital seabed lease' which would allow the authority and their partners to create a 'kelp blue carbon investment product'. Coastal kelp beds also help combat climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reduce coastal erosion by absorbing wave energy and provide a haven for wildlife. If fully restored a kelp forest off the Sussex Coast could capture the carbon emissions equivalent to 66 million miles driven in a family diesel or the carbon emissions of 7,235 homes. Once established, the ecosystem is expected to support sustainable inshore fishing with species such as bass, sole, black seabream, lobsters and cuttlefish, thriving in the conditions.

Ms Pow said " I was very keen to come to Worthing having read about the exciting Sussex Bay Kelp project and the EPIC restoration scheme in Sompting. There is clearly some fantastic environmentally friendly work being pioneered by Worthing Council that could have wider applications around the UK and I congratulate Cllr Kevin Jenkins and his colleagues for taking these bold initiatives."

The minister's visit included Brooklands Park where the council has just commenced phase 2 of the regeneration work. Phase 1 was completed just as the Covid pandemic hit and saw the lake and stream subject of extensive restoration work with silt removed, free-flowing water channels created and windmill oxygenators installed so wildlife could thrive. Phase 2 will see the installation of an adventure play area, outdoor space for events such as football and frisbee complete with seating, contemplative garden with sensory plants, pathways, fitness trails, as well as space to hold community and environmental activities. In addition there will be a new lakeside cafe constructed with sustainable wooden materials, modern kitchen facilities, indoor seating and outdoor meeting spaces for visitors, plus a new Changing Places accessible toilet. The park's £3million pound regeneration has been designed around three key principles of Learning, Inclusivity and Wellbeing. Celebrating and learning from planting types, ecology and sustainability as the way of integrating the science elements. In addition, the choice of play equipment will reinforce a number of technological, engineering and mathematical concepts.

Ms Pow said  "It is good to see important public green spaces being improved in sympathy with environmental considerations for all generations to enjoy. I look forward to a return trip when all this important and exciting work has progressed."

Cllr Kevin Jenkins said "It was a real pleasure to see the minister here in Worthing. It shows that the work we are doing with the Sussex Bay project is forward thinking and out there ahead of many others. But it is also the things that touch people in their daily lives that matter as well. Bringing Brooklands Park up to date for the 21st Century at a time when we are all very conscious about the impact of our behaviours on the environment, the work done to restore the wildlife habitat and now to create a park where people can not only enjoy but also learn about nature and sustainability is so important." 

MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, who accompanied Ms Pow on her visit said, "It's a real testament to the work in Adur & Worthing that we have been able to welcome the minister here to show off these exciting environmental projects. Like the minister I look forward to seeing these progress and Sussex Bay becoming a recognised bench mark and model of environmental innovation."