New mews transforms former drug hotspot

A former drugs hotspot in Bognor Regis is being turned into a new community.

Builder Tom Elliott is bringing new life to an area behind one of the town's most famous buildings.

His company is close to completing a courtyard scheme at the rear of the Royal Norfolk Hotel.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said he was convinced of the benefit of the development in spite of the current dire economic conditions.

The Observer has reported complaints from neighbours of the site, off West Street, about its overgrown and dirty condition.

"We found over 150 syringes in the area as well as a lot of mattresses and plenty of rats," explained Mr Elliott.

"The development is lifting the whole area. We are getting so many positive comments from the neighbours about what we are doing. We are adding to their quality of life now this is being developed. The hotel is delighted about our scheme."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Royal Norfolk Mews will consist of 13 homes. They will be nine cottages, two one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments. Some of the properties are new build.

Others have taken the place of the hotel's former stable block and the rest have been formed from the hotel's one-time staff accommodation, which is a grade two listed historic building.

Approval for the development was given by Arun District Council after at least two previous attempts were rejected by councillors and the government.

This linked homes at the rear of the hotel with some on the hotel's former tennis courts along its West Street frontage. But these proved unacceptable because of their impact on the hotel's setting.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The timing of the current scheme could not appear to be worse for Mr Elliott's Herongate Land and Development of which he is the managing director.

But he said his confidence about the success of his first scheme in Bognor Regis was undimmed.

"We are building a place which is a community. So many developers just build flats, flats and more flats. But our homes are being built around a courtyard. Most of the cottages will have front and rear gardens," he stated.

He is willing to offer shared equity schemes to allow prospective purchasers to get round the mortgage drought which has decimated the housing market.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The work on the mews has taken 12 months so far and we are looking to be finished in early April. We haven't put the homes on the market yet but we have already had plenty of interest.

"Four people want to buy them and there's been some inquiries from Germany because the level of the pound against the euro makes it a good buy for them.

Mr Elliott (48), who began his company in Surrey in 1999 after working as an estate agent, said prices were likely to be 160,000 to 315,000. His wife, Mandy (46), plays a key role in the creation of new homes.

Previous homes to be built by Herongate include some in Lake Lane and Downview Road, Barnham, as well as Walberton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

What do you think? Click here to send a letter 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

Related topics: