Arun urged to take another look at Sir Richard Hotham project

A planning application for the mixed use redevelopment of the Regis Centre and Hothamton car park sites was allowed on appeal by a planning inspector back in 2018.

But the scheme went no further because the then Tory-led Arun District Council was not on board with the scheme and was pressing ahead with its own regeneration plans for the town.

In recent weeks and months a number of district and town councillors have called on Arun to go back to SRH project team and at least host a seminar to hear from them directly before making any future regeneration decisions.

Responding to a public question in mid-July, Arun’s leader James Walsh described how his Lib Dem administration had made its opposition clear to any development on the Hothamton car park site and this land was a core part of SHRP’s proposals.

The issue was raised again at another meeting a week later.

Grant Roberts (Con, Arundel and Walberton) felt there was no harm in looking at all the options.

He said: “I’m not saying 100 per cent the Sir Richard Hotham project is the way to go, but we need to listen.”

He asked the Lib Dems why they were ‘so afraid to listen’.

Dr Walsh responded: “It’s a developer’s charter to develop seafront flats which time and time again the residents of Bognor Regis have said they do not want to see more of.”

Shaun Gunner (Con, Rustington East), leader of the Conservative group, felt the current administration did not have a strategy for regeneration and suggested it was ‘all a little bit random’.

Deputy leader Francis Oppler (LDem, Orchard) criticised successive previous Conservative administrations for achieving little in the town, adding: “We will look at what is best for Bognor and what is best for Arun.”

But Jacky Pendleton (Con, Middleton-on Sea) asked Cllr Oppler to ‘stop bitching about the past and start taking responsibility for the future’.

She added: “Present all the options and discuss them openly and without bias or prejudice.”

After prompting from the chairman she apologised for using the word ‘bitching’.

The council is currently bringing forward plans to improve both Place St Maur and the Sunken Gardens.

Meanwhile negotiations have resumed with Whitbread PLC over a possible a land swap, with the former fire station being redeveloped for a hotel and in return the council getting the lease back on the Regis Centre.

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