Town swimming pool may move

The Littlehampton Vision, a "wish list" of how the town could be developed over the next two decades, has already been backed by Littlehampton Town and West Sussex County councils and is expected to win support from Arun next week.

Large-scale housing schemes, new business developments and regeneration of the west bank of the River Arun are among the major goals of the Vision, which has been drawn up after extensive consultation involving businesses, residents, organisations and community leaders.

Perhaps the most revolutionary idea is moving the swimming and sports centre from its current seafront site into the town centre.

This would also involve the redevelopment of the St Martin's car park, with a new multi-storey car park freeing up space, a new public square, and new shops and homes.

A report to Arun's cabinet, which will discuss the council's response to the Vision document next week, says: "The rationale for recreating an improved leisure facility in Littlehampton is based around a number of factors, not least that the current facilities do not meet the level of demand and it would be difficult to expand these on the existing site.

"Revised and more appropriate development could be created, along with the transfer of the current customer base of around 500,000 people into Littlehampton town centre."

The Travis Perkins site at Clifton Road is earmarked as a possible major housing site in the Vision, but Arun officers point out that the land is entirely within the high risk flood area, and recommend that advice should be sought from the Environment Agency at an early stage.

More shops could also be provided on this site, fronting Pier Road, together with new pedestrian routes and "green" spaces.

A mix of commercial and residential development is proposed at Railway Wharf, north of the footbridge over the River Arun.

Again, Arun officers warn the site would be in the high flood risk area, and the wharf is also covered by restrictions in the county minerals plan, but officers say these and other hurdles should not exclude it from the possibility of development.

Smaller, high quality business units on the wharf could help to bring higher quality, higher paid employment opportunities into the area, in line with Arun's priorities, the cabinet report adds.

High quality design would be especially important for such a prominent site, visible from road, railway and river, and serving as a gateway to the town.

The Vision's suggestions for the West Bank include an improved marina, marine/trade heritage centre, leisure facilities and housing.

The document stresses the need to provide viable jobs, retain boatbuilding and other marine businesses, respect the area's heritage, improve links with the town centre, boost public access to the river front and promote recreational activity.

Arun officers recommend the cabinet should endorse these key principles of developing the West Bank.

The Littlehampton Vision was commissioned originally by the Town Centre Action Group in 2003 and since then has been expanded to include the harbour and West Bank area, and to draw on contributions from the councils, Littlehampton Harbour Board and other interested parties.

It is seen as an important framework on which the future development of the town should be based.