Cash injection for Bognor

The company, along with landowners Sime Darby London Ltd (SDLL) announced yesterday that the money would be forthcoming, after it was reported in last week's Observer that the funding had been ommitted from the plans.

The secretary of state confirmed in his decision letter that the contributions for town centre improvements and business enterprise did not contribute towards his reasons for granting planning permission.

"He came to the conclusion that planning permission should be granted on the merits of the proposal, regardless of such contributions.

But Sainbury's said that a legal agreement signed by Sainsbury's, SDLL, Arun District Council and West Sussex County Council still stands and that the payments will be made in full.

These include: a 260,000 payment towards transport contributions and facilities 500,000 for town centre management and initiatives and 125,000 towards enterprise provision.

Sainsbury's regional development executive Max Whitehand said: "Sainsbury's is, and always has been, fully committed to delivering a scheme which will have widespread regenerative benefits for Bognor Regis as a whole. That is why we maintain our pledge to invest in local initiatives through a formal agreement with ADC and WSCC."

SDLL dicrector Raof Daud said: "The sum of money that was agreed with ADC and WSCC is intended to help deliver local aspirations and objectives for Bognor Regis as part of the ongoing regeneration drive in the town.

"All parties involved are in full agreement that the funds will bring invaluable and tangible benefits that would not otherwise be coming forward in the near future."

Head of Bognor Regis Task Force Richard McMann added: "We have worked hard with Sime Darby and Sainsbury's to ensure the town as a whole sees the dividend and benefits from the development of the former LEC site.

"The investment of 50 million, the creation of400 new jobs, training and qualification programmes, the creation of an attractive gateway into the town are all great news in their own right, but theagreementto provide 500,000 to support the regeneration of the town centre, and funding to support business units and enterprise development takes the Sainsbury's and Sime Darby proposals far beyond simply the development of a derelict and contaminated site.

"I am delighted that the commitment to the town is still as strong as ever."

What do you think? Click here to send a letter to [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP