Shock move for Bognor library proposed

The idea is the preferred option of one of two Vision groups which are involved in the debate about the regeneration of the town centre.

Tom Frears, the chairman of the Bognor Regis regeneration vision group, said the timing of the campus redevelopment alongside the likely changes to the town centre provided a rare chance to include a modern and flexible library/resource centre among the other higher education facilities.

"The idea is that everyone from toddlers, young people, researchers, those in need of information, senior citizens, community groups and undergraduates will find what they want under one roof in a way which makes it enjoyable to use.

"Different areas will be created to 'zone' the activities which will be going on.

"But they will be visible and easy to find, so that nothing appears closed off or only designed for 'someone else'.

"There will be social spaces with lots of activity and quiet, reflective areas for those who wish to study or read."

The idea, however, has attracted a mass of criticism. The possible move would only be a few hundred metres to the north but opponents say it would isolate the library by placing it further away from the town centre on the northern side of the A259 Upper Bognor Road dual carriageway.

The present library was built in London Road in 1964. Three years ago, it received a 200,000 refit which extended the ground floor after the first floor was close to the public.

Users continue to pour through its doors. Last year saw 342,483 books, CDs and DVDs issued - or an average of 6,586 a week - as well as many people logging on with its computers.

The important role of the library has seen two previous suggestions for it to be moved. It was first mooted for the new-look Hothamton site as part of a civic hub of council offices and services. Next came the idea of developer St Modwen to place it on the revamped Regis Centre location to benefit from being placed next to leisure facilities.

But the relocation to the university campus has emerged in a paper just issued by the regeneration vision group. Its members include the University, which is committed to making its site an important feature of the regeneration of Bognor.

Mr Frears said the move to Bognor's higher education venue would recognise the library's increasing focus on electronic information. This was especially attractive to younger residents who expected long opening hours, which the university library provided, and in a setting sensitive to learning.

It was also important to ensure as much town centre space as possible was available for new goods or services to create jobs rather than being used for existing facilities. Planned changes to the university should enable the parking problems which plague the site to be overcome, the group added.

A spokeswoman for West Sussex County Council, which runs the library, stressed the move was only a possibility. "There is a proposal to move the library to the campus but that is not a confirmed option.

"We are waiting for more proposals to come forward before a final decision is made," she stated.

Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce is firmly against the proposal. Chairman and president Nick Stuart Nicolson said: "The chamber's view and opinion is that the status quo is preferred, with the library remaining where it is."

County and district cllr Francis Oppler, who has been involved trying to sort out the university's parking problems, said: "The library is in an ideal location. It is well used and well liked.

"In all the user satisfaction surveys, it is one of the best performing libraries in the county. Moving it to the university would take it away from the town centre and make it more difficult for most people to reach."

Hugh Coster, the chairman of the original Bognor Regis Regeneration Vision Group, said its members were against the idea.: "It would be an extremely retrogade step to move the library out of the town centre. We want to bring more people into the town not take them away from it," he stated.

These are the detailed reasons for and against potential locations for Bognor Regis library put forward by the regeneration vision group.

To remain on the present site: For -

1 - Reasonably close to the town's main shopping area;

2 - Close to the reasonably large and under-used London Road car park;

3 - Close to town centre bus stops;

4 - Potential to expand the ground and first floors to provide more space relatively cheaply;

5 - No pressing need to relocate;

6 - Staying put would leave room on the Hothamton and Regis Centre sites for uses which would benefit from economic regeneration;

7 - Feedback from St Modwen's public consultation in January showed that residents wanted the library to stay where it is and wanted new facilities rather than the existing ones renewed;

8 - Existing location next to a junior school and encourages use by parents and children.

Against -

1 - Expansion or reconfiguration would involve disruption for library users;

2 - Access by car and parking next to the library is difficult and limited;

3 - Expansion requires the installation of a lift to the first floor;

4 - Clearly limits to how much the building can be expanded;

5 - Existing building looks small and undistinguished for a town of Bognor's size and regeneration aspirations.

Re-locate to the Hothamton site:

For -

1 - This formed part of the scheme which led to St Modwen's public approval and selected as the preferred developer;

2 - Follows the principles of Arun District Council's masterplan for the town centre;

3 - St Modwen's submission to the council states that Hothamton is an appropriate location;

4 - Most residents would prefer Hothamton to the Regis Centre site;

5 - Location is close to an under-used multi-storey car park and reasonably close to a bus stop;

6 - Increase the footfall in a neglected part of the town and improve the prospects for shops proposed for the site.

Against -

1 - Contributes nothing to the town's regeneration because it is just a

relocation of an existing provision;

2 - Space could be better used to provide more shops;

3 - Alternatively, space could be better used for more flats to reduce the number on the Regis Centre site to create extra room for leisure uses in line with the public's wishes.

Move to the Regis Centre site:

For -

1 - Only argument put forward by St Modwen is to increase the footfall and usage of the site's other facilities.

Against -

1 - It was not part of the original St Modwen submission.

2 - Goes against the principles for site usage recommended by Arun's masterplan consultants whose view was included in the council's planning guidance for the town centre, which talks about using the Regis Centre site to attract visitors to the town;

3 - Does not follow the recommendations of the consultants hired by Arun to advise on the mix and location of lesiure activities;

4 - The marketing brief for the site talked about a family-led leisure, entertainment and cultural facility being the priority;

5 - St Modwen's original submission spoke about bringing vibrancy and amusement and entertainment facilities to the site;

6 - How will a library help to generate income for a theatre/cinema having to survive without any public subsidy?

Re-location to the university campus:

For -

1 - The timing of the planned redevelopment of the campus to develop facilities accessible for local residents as well as students provides a rare chance to include a modern and flexible library and resource centre alongside the planned sport and arts facilities;

2 - Leaves room for more regeneration-focused activities on the Regis Centre and Hothamton sites;

3 - Having a library on this site would enable users to enjoy the cultural and sport facilities on the campus. It also encourages them to consider further and higher education.

4 - A combined facility is likely to be cost-effective to build;

5 - These economies of scale are also likely to reduce the running cost of the library;

6 - There could be access to upgrades in IT through being linked to college and university systems;

7 - Extended opening hours would be possible, at little extra cost, as the community could benefit from the opening times of the university library;

8 - The library will be part of a suite of facilities open to residents

and, therefore, easily accessible;

9 - Convenient bus stops close to the campus;

10 - Location is at the heart of the wider Bognor community;

11 - Would link with the university's significant commitment to the town;

12 - Whatever the outcome, the university is planning to build a library on the campus within the next three to five years.

Against -

1 - No business case has been prepared for the proposal. The county council's contribution for capital and running costs needs to be considered against the amount needed for the Regis Centre and Hothamton sites;

2 - The current perception of the university among residents would need to change to enable all of them to feel comfortable about using services on the campus;

3 - Parking and access is currently a problem. But this will need to be resolved anyway as the university develops the campus.

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