General support for Felpham recreation site upgrades

DOZENS of people went along to give their views about proposals to improve Felpham Recreation Ground.

The first two hours of a consultation exercise at the site saw some 15-20 children pick their favourite equipment for the playarea.

A similar number of adults had also gone along to the outdoor display.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Brooksmead resident Rex Knight, 85. He said: “This is an excellent idea. I have been using this area for 40-50 years and played cricket on it for many of them. I also used to run a colts team for years.

“The state of the outfield is absolutely awful. It would be a good thing to get that improved and I like the idea of the new orchard.”

A bid for £39,000 to help fund the £55,000 package of improvements by Arun District Council will be sent to the Veolia Environmental Trust by April 27. A decision is expected in mid-summer.

Among the works are upgrades to the playarea, seating, signage and access. The cricket outfield, used by Aldwick CC, will also be improved.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Support will be given as well to the community orchard which has been planted by the Greener Bognor Network.

The rest of the cost will be met by Arun along with partners such as Bognor Regis Town Council and the cricket club.

District council parks manager Oliver Handson said: “The response to the proposal has been generally supportive.

“I’m quite confident what we are trying to achieve will be successful in getting the money.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It is a range of improvements which will benefit all the people who live around the site or use it.

“It’s a nice site and well used but it’s a bit rough around the edges and needs some investment.

“We recognise that fact and are trying to do something of benefit to everyone in the community.”

The 4-5ha site is located between Hook Lane in Bognor and the A259 Felpham Way and bordered by two footpaths.