Jobs not homes urged for Lec site

We want jobs, Bognor Regis residents demanded when the future of the town's biggest derelict site was put on display.

Nearly 300 people attended the two-day exhibition which outlined the options for the derelict Lec Refrigeration factory.

Chief among their comments was the need for more employment on the ten-acres to take the place of the fridge and freezer assembly line.

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Former Lec worker Mark Linberry (43), of Chestnut Grove, South Bersted, was among those who went along to the display at the Regis Centre. He worked as a forklift truck driver at the factory between 1990 and 2000.

"That place is just an eyesore now. We have got to get more jobs in this town on that site again.

"We have got enough residential sites, especially when you consider the number of houses going in north of Rowan Way and in Felpham.

"If we have houses on the Lec site, where are the people going to work? Even if we had a garden centre there, it would mean some new jobs."

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Colin Sutton (62), of Ellasdale Road, Bognor, said: "A business park and more employment is what we need on the Lec site. That would be the best plan.

Even leisure facilities would be good.

"But no more housing. We have got enough residential development in this town."

However, Shripney Road resident John Haddock (75), who has lived opposite Lec for 40 years, said his preferred use was housing.

"People want housing but people have to be able to afford it. There just isn't enough of that sort of property around."

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Any development of that site had to be accompanied by improvements to Shripney Road, he stated.

Would-be first-time buyer Emma Cruise (24) echoed his comments. "We want first-time residential accommodation here. No one can afford to buy the types of property there are around," she added.

"Something definitely needs to happen to the Lec site. It's a waste of space which could be used for better things."

The two-day public exhibition at the Regis Centre last Wednesday, February 6, and Thursday was followed by a workshop. This involved representatives of organisations such as Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce, the University of Chichester and various councils.

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The Lec site is owned by Sime Darby London Ltd. Director Raof Daud said after the exhibition: "We remain open-minded on suitable land uses for the Lec site and will take the feedback seriously in developing a masterplan for redevelopment.

"There is still time for comments to be made before the end of February for this consultation exercise."

These can be made on the www.simedarby.co.uk website.

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