Bognor Regis regeneration scheme rebrands as ‘Project Sunrise’

A private regeneration scheme for Bognor Regis has rebranded as ‘Project Sunrise’.
Project Sunrise logoProject Sunrise logo
Project Sunrise logo

Formerly the Sir Richard Hotham Project, developers have been promoting plans for both the Regis Centre and Hothamton car park sites for several years.

Although Arun District Council rejected a planning application for the scheme, it was allowed on appeal by an inspector.

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However, the project never went any further because the then Tory-led Arun District Council was not on board and was pressing ahead with its own regeneration plans for the town.

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Since the Lib Dems took over at Arun last May, the subject has been raised time and time again at various meetings.

A motion from the Conservative group, asking the council to extend an invitation to the project team and any other prospective developer to present the merits of their scheme in a presentation, is due to be discussed on Wednesday (September 16).

Meanwhile the SRHP has rebranded itself as ‘Project Sunrise’, with a new logo and brochure.

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In it Thomas Elliott, project director, wrote: “We are at an important crossroads and we ask you to be both bold and courageous in having the vision and faith in supporting Bognor Regis to become one of the finest seaside towns along the south coast of England.

ks1500451-2 Bog Regeneration phot kate  Director of the Sir Richard Hotham project, Thomas Elliott.ks1500451-2 SUS-150915-183624008ks1500451-2 Bog Regeneration phot kate  Director of the Sir Richard Hotham project, Thomas Elliott.ks1500451-2 SUS-150915-183624008
ks1500451-2 Bog Regeneration phot kate Director of the Sir Richard Hotham project, Thomas Elliott.ks1500451-2 SUS-150915-183624008

“Transforming Bognor Regis into a nationally recognised holiday and day trip destination through the reintroduction of genuine and sustainable arts, culture and tourism venues will, in turn, create jobs, permanently boost the local economy and become an important source of revenue to the local authority and community for generations to come.”

The £90m scheme would involve a mixture of retail, hospitality, health, lifestyle and leisure space on the Regis Centre site.

This would include a 64-bedroom hotel and 192 new apartments.

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Meanwhile the Hothamton site would be redeveloped to create a multi-functional arts and leisure venue with an in house bar and restaurant, alongside another hotel and conference centre.

The third part of the scheme would be a separate 200-cover restaurant on the seafront.

The pamphlet concludes by arguing the regeneration scheme ‘respectfully nods to the history of the town, whilst encouraging a step into a new beginning’.

The project faces a number of significant obstacles.

The Lib Dems have already ruled out development on the Hothampton car park site and have committed to retaining and improving the Sunken Gardens.

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They are also bringing forward public realm enhancements for Place St Maur on the seafront.

Meanwhile negotiations are ongoing between the council and Whitbread PLC over a potential land swap.

Under the deal, the council would gain control over the Regis Centre site and the former fire station site would be sold so a hotel could be built.

Former town mayor Jan Cosgrove suggested too much public funding would be needed to drive forward a council-led regeneration scheme and called on Arun to engage with Project Sunrise.

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He said: “Arun is at risk of abandoning regeneration for piecemeal redevelopment with no public benefit. The 2003 masterplan has a core element of no cost to Arun and cross-subsidy between the two sites, the planning inspector says Project Sunrise ticks the boxes.”