Councillors who support demolition of Sunken Gardens will pay 'heaviest price'

Councillors were warned they would pay the 'heaviest price' at the next elections by backing proposals to replace Bognor Regis' Sunken Gardens.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Nov 2018, 10:27 BST
Updated 7th Nov 2018, 02:47 BST
ks180245-4 Bog Sunken Garden phot kate'From left:: District councillors Martin Smith,Francis Oppler, and Matt Stanley discuss the campaign to save the sunken gardens.ks180245-4 SUS-180522-151720008ks180245-4 Bog Sunken Garden phot kate'From left:: District councillors Martin Smith,Francis Oppler, and Matt Stanley discuss the campaign to save the sunken gardens.ks180245-4 SUS-180522-151720008
ks180245-4 Bog Sunken Garden phot kate'From left:: District councillors Martin Smith,Francis Oppler, and Matt Stanley discuss the campaign to save the sunken gardens.ks180245-4 SUS-180522-151720008

At Bognor Regis' Town Council meeting last night (Monday 6) members of the public said their views were being ignored on the controversial plans from Tory led Arun District Council to regenerate the Sunken Gardens.

Mo Cook, a member of the public who attended the meeting said: “For a lot of years the residents of Bognor have been having a really hard deal from, not just the Bognor Regis Town Council, but Arun District Council in particular.

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"Our town is worth more than this, and the people of Bognor are as well. So could you please not always say yes to them and say yes to us. That’s what we have to say.”

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Another member of the public, Tania Wreford, said: “The role of the Town council is to listen to what the residents of Bognor Regis are telling them and then to act on that information for the good of the town and its people.

“Their role is not to listen to what Arun District Council wants and then try and force ADC’s will upon the residents of Bognor Regis. Once again, the voice of the people is being ignored by Arun District Council’s continued attempt to foist its linear park on a population which has already voiced an overwhelming no.

“The latest planning application including signs explaining how wonderful this linear utopia will be is not only gross mismanagement of taxpayers hard earned cash also it is another attempt to push through a project that people do not want.

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“This latest development must surely be unethical to the people of Bognor Regis.”

Lid Dem Arun District Councillor, Francis Oppler said he supported the speakers and added that previous losses to the town had 'broken the hearts' of residents.

He said: “Some people in this chamber do have the opportunity of influencing decisions at Arun, more than perhaps myself or Matt [Stanley]. Those councillors know who they are and I really beseech you listen to the ladies that have just spoken and don’t let it happen.

“This is isn’t a threat, but any councillors who support the demolition of the sunken gardens, I have no doubt whatsoever, will pay the heaviest price next May because they would have absolutely betrayed the hearts and soul of the people of Bognor Regis.

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Related topics:CouncillorsArun District CouncilTown Council