Place St Maur plans ‘first tentative step towards regeneration of Bognor Regis seafront’

Public realm improvements to a key Bognor Regis site have been hailed as the ‘first tentative step’ towards regeneration of the town’s seafront.
Place St Maur in Bognor RegisPlace St Maur in Bognor Regis
Place St Maur in Bognor Regis

Arun district councillors have supported plans to give Place St Maur a makeover, with new seating, soft landscaping, water jets and a flexible venue for outdoor events proposed.

The idea is for an enhanced open space which not only creates a draw for visitors, but also provides a better link between the town centre and seafront.

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However at a meeting last week, several councillors categorised the project as refurbishment not regeneration.

Tony Dixon (Ind, Aldwick East) said: “Whilst I’m happy for this to go forward as a refurbishment project and welcome this investment in Bognor Regis, it’s quite clear Bognor Regis is lacking a meaningful project, one that will significantly improve the social and economic wellbeing of the town.”

He pointed towards the Littlehampton Wave leisure centre and asked how much longer Bognor Regis would have to wait for a regeneration project.

Other councillors went much further in their comments.

Paul English (Con, Felpham East) labelled the current approach ‘piecemeal’, while Paul Dendle (Con, Arundel and Walberton) thought the plans showed a ‘total lack of imagination’.

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Ricky Bower (Con, East Preston) suggested the Lib Dems were investing money in ‘frivolous ideas rather than a project that would actually earn good income for the Arun district’.

But for others the Place St Maur improvements were seen as the first step towards regenerating the town.

Hugh Coster (Ind, Aldwick East) said: “Regeneration will come, because this is just the start and we need to start somewhere.”

Deputy council leader Francis Oppler (LDem, Orchard) added: “This should be viewed as a first tentative step towards the regeneration of the seafront. It’s not an end in itself, but the start of much more.”

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Several speakers also suggested comparing what investment Littlehampton had received to money spent on Bognor Regis was ‘unhelpful’.

Emily Seex (LDem, River) said: “We do represent both places and it’s not a competition between the two, but doing what’s best for everybody across the district’.

The recommendations from March’s cabinet were approved by 25 votes to 12 with three abstentions.

The council will now procure consultants to draw up detailed plans for Place St Maur.

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