Restaurant on the sea

St Modwen Properties has been given a further four months to complete preparations for its regeneration schemes.

The development company was due to have finalised all the details by last week.

But the complexity and scale of the work involved meant the firm was unable to sign the development agreement and lease for the sites at Regis Centre and Hothampton sites with Arun District Council in keeping with the original 12-month timescale.

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Councillors instead voted to extend St Modwen's exclusivity deal until November 30 to enable matters to be completed.

St Modwen has informed the council of 14 matters crucial to starting the 100m redevelopment of the sites:

n Theatre closure '“ St Modwen will welcome talks with Hotham Arts about temporary locations for the entertainment centre while the new provision is being built.

n County council offices/health centre/library '“ St Modwen is keen to incorporate a new health centre and county council offices within the Hothampton developments. Talks have taken place with the county council and NHS. Preliminary discussions as well about the library.

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n Whitbread/Arun Arts '“ Detailed talks going on with Whitbread, which leases the Hotham Arts Centre from the district council.

n Design '“ more work and public consultation is required.

n Road closure order/ compulsory purchase order '“ St Modwen's has established a procedure to follow if required.

n Secured by Design '“ A meeting has been held with Sussex Police and the crime prevention officer to get responses to the scheme.

n Sustainability '“ Work is under way to achieve standards for sustainability in the development.

n Employment and training '“ St Modwen supports providing a framework for work experience, training and local supply chains to ensure the community benefits from the building work.