Regeneration scheme fear for Bognor

DEVELOPER Thomas Elliott fears his company’s £80m proposals to regenerate Bognor Regis could be killed.
An artist's impression of the Sir Richard Hotham Project schemeAn artist's impression of the Sir Richard Hotham Project scheme
An artist's impression of the Sir Richard Hotham Project scheme

Mr Elliott believes councillors will next Wednesday be asked to vote on ideas for the Regis Centre and Hothamton sites which will bury the plans.

As reported, the Sir Richard Hotham Project, which he leads, will create hundreds of jobs. It will feature branded shops, bars and restaurants and health and fitness spas at the Regis Centre site plus a theatre at Hothamton capable of hosting West End shows, headline bands and singers and conferences.

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It has submitted plans to enable the regeneration on the Arun District Council-owned sites to start.

But Arun’s director of planning and economic regeneration, Karl Roberts, has written a report to councillors in which he states Hothamton should be mainly used for student homes or for ‘staff accommodation’ for firms like Butlin’s.

He says the Regis Centre should be improved and a pub, hotel, restaurants and residential uses added. The current pub should become a landmark building with at least one visitor attraction, a restaurant and more housing.

Mr Elliott, however, said Arun’s proposals would only create redevelopment rather than regeneration.

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“The perception is that everyone wants regeneration because that is what will bring people in to the town who don’t normally come here.

“We want to create a mini-Gunwharf Quays at the Regis Centre site as well as a theatre capable of hosting national names as well as looking after the University of Chichester and Arun Arts, of the Regis Centre.

“There is 65,000sq ft of retail, including the hotel, in our plans. I can’t imagine why Arun wouldn’t want to go ahead with this. Student accommodation won’t regenerate Bognor. If this regeneration attempt fails, after St Modwen walked away, it will blight Bognor.

“We believe we are doing what the public wants - which is to create an economy for 365 days a year.”

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Mr Elliott said he was concerned the report referred to Arun’s 2003 masterplan for the sites when reports were compiled last year.

The report also says the Sir Richard Hotham Project ignored Arun’s requests to delay its planning application. But Mr Elliott said Arun made no requests when it knew in June and July 2014 formal plans were being compiled.

The decision Arun makes next Wednesday as the landowner is separate from debating planning approval.

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