VOTE: Axe could fall on £8m campus regeneration

It is not known if the 8m scheme will survive the drastic axing of many public sector projects.

The South East England Development Agency had agreed to provide 2m of the funding but it has been ordered to immediately slash its spending.

It had been estimated turning the University of Chichester campus into a regeneration centre and increasing students by 250 to 1,250 would give Bognor's economy an extra 30m of spending a year.

Ian Child, who is chief operating officer of the university, said:

"This project is vital for the town of Bognor.

"We remain committed to the redevelopment plans for our Bognor Regis campus as we take seriously our role in the regeneration of the town as a whole.

"Like many other organisations, we have received a letter from Seeda advising us that they are going to have to claw back money already allocated to projects across the region. But we have had no indication whether our project funding is likely to be cut completely or reduced, or whether it is safe.

"We are in contact with Seeda to establish the current position. This is not just a project for the university. It is for the benefit of the wider community.

"The Seeda funding will be used to refurbish the Dome building, which will become a centre for business, housing the University's School of Enterprise, Management and Leadership, and be accessible to the community and local businesses."

A spokeswoman for the regional agency declined to say if the university's funding was secure.

"Seeda has already contributed 1m to a 30m redevelopment programme for the University of Chichester's Bognor Regis Campus, which will provide facilities and support for students and staff to develop and launch business ideas.

"As required by government, Seeda is making in-year budget cuts and is in discussion with partners about how these cuts will affect their programmes and projects," she said.

"As an economic development agency, our only interest is in the growth and competitiveness of the south east economy. We are committed to working with government and stakeholders to make the necessary changes in a way that minimises disruption to businesses."

Proposals to expand the campus have been developed during the past three years. The scheme is seen as a way of harnessing the town's past, in the shape of its most historic buildings, with a brighter economic future. Various planning permissions have been obtained by the university to enable the improvements to take place at the Upper Bognor Road site.

As well as the business school, they will result in a new learning resource centre and premises for eight high-value businesses.

New student residences will also be built.

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