Bognor regeneration plans moving forward

At the same time, it has emerged concerns over vital redevelopment plans for Bognor Regis seafront and town centre are to be addressed at a key meeting.

Richard McMann, head of the regeneration task force, expressed optimism developers would continue to invest in the town despite projects being hit by the recession.

Speaking ahead of a question and answer public regeneration meeting taking place on November 9, he said considerable progress on redeveloping the town had already been made.

He confirmed that at a council sub-committee this week, developers St Modwen Properties were looking at the 100m scheme again after the project stalled last year.

Mr McMann said: "I think the people of Bognor have a good number of reasons to be optimistic about the town's redevelopment.

"There are already a number of tangible signs of this with Butlins' 200m hotel and its plans for a watersports centre on the seafront, the University of Chichester's investment in its Bognor Regis campus and the regeneration of the Lec site with Sainsbury's.

"We are now working with St Modwen at options for taking its plans forward '“ these have been delayed, but that is not anyone's fault, it has been a part of the global recession.

"Not everyone has agreed with the plans, which is why the main part of the public meeting will be a question and answer session."

Key partners involved in the programme will attend the November meeting to give a full and frank progress report of their projects within the town, including Sime Darby and Sainsbury's, the University of Chichester, Berkeley Homes and Butlins.

The meeting will take place on Monday, November 9 at Butlins' Shoreline Conference Centre starting at 7pm.

It follows a similar event held last year which attracted more than 400 people and was announced by Arun District Council's leader, Cllr Gillian Brown, at Monday evening's Bognor Regis regeneration sub-committee.

Cllr Mrs Brown said: "I said at last year's meeting that we would hold another public meeting and I am delighted to honour that promise.

"Significant progress has been made in the past 12 months and we really hope the people of Bognor Regis will attend this meeting to hear directly from the people involved how the exciting plans for their town are progressing."

She added: "The meeting will allow for comments, opinions and questions, but in a way that ensures fairness, courtesy and respect for differing opinions.

"All of our development and investor partners involved in the regeneration programme have been invited and most have already confirmed that they will attend to reaffirm their position and commitment to the plans."

Together with the council, these partners will form the panel to which people can address their questions and comments about the regeneration programme.Cllr Norman Dingemans, Arun's cabinet member for economic regeneration, added: "Despite the economic downturn there's a lot of good news in Bognor Regis with many regeneration projects at a vital stage of development.

"This meeting will be important to demonstrate how plans for the town's regeneration are still moving positively forward. People have every reason to be excited and optimistic."

Jeremy Pardey, resort director of Butlins, said: "We were delighted to be able to show our plans last year and we are more than delighted to show how they have moved on since then."

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