Students back regeneration plans

The 17 young people met developer St Modwen and its architect, KSS Design, to discuss the 100m-plus redevelopment of the town centre.

The proposed ten pin bowling alley and expanded seafront caused by closing part of The Esplanade to traffic were enthusiastically welcomed.

The sessions formed part of St Modwen's ongoing community discussions between the January exhibition of its latest design concepts and its next display around May.

Jamie Greenhill (14), from Bognor Regis Community College, said: "It is really important that we get the chance to talk about our ideas as people say that we are the future.

"I don't think the opinions of young people are heard often enough.

"It's really exciting that there will be more things to do so we don't have to travel so far for good modern facilities."

Felpham Community College's Josh Clayton (15) stated: "It is great for us to be able to have our say and for the developer to get to know our ideas for the future of the town. Otherwise, it will just be older people making comments and we need things in the town for kids to do as well as adults."

Some of the students had a vocational interest in the proposals because they are taking young apprenticeship courses in construction and architecture.

James Budd, from KSS Design, commented that the students had plenty of creative and commercially aware ideas for Bognor.

"They all voiced their thoughts on the challenges facing their town. We got some great ideas and feedback from the lively session," he said.

In particular, they were excited by the entertainment centre and seafront proposals because they were seen as replacing aspects of the town seen as 'boring' or 'shabby'.

St Modwen will meet the students again when the next exhibition takes place. This should be followed by a planning application for the ambitious regeneration projects this autumn.

The Regis Centre site is set to feature a destination film and performance venue with a cinema and flexible performing space as well as the bowling alley. Potential operators are putting together their detailed plans. A building on the beach is set to be a high profile restaurant. Flats are controversially included.

The Hothamton location will feature a 30-storey tower block, a new store, and a possible new health centre. Building work could start in late 2009/early 2010 and take about four years.

More than 600 replies have been received by St Modwen regarding its latest regeneration plans for Bognor Regis.

The deadline for comments about the company's latest proposals for the Hothamton and Regis Centre sites closed on Monday, February 11.

The company has begun to analysis the feedback. It will issue a report about the issues raised in a few weeks.