Revised seafront development plans ‘have not quite hit the mark’

Last year, developers submitted an application for a seven-storey block of 49 flats and retail units on the corner of Waterloo Square and The Esplanade.

Although there was some support to redevelop the empty plots of land, several objectors raised concerns about the height and scale of the proposed building.

Developers have now come back with revised plans to Arun District Council. These include a reduction in the height of the scheme with the building split into two separate blocks, parking at street level replacing spaces in the basement and amendments to the design.

The number of flats has been reduced from 49 to 35, while there are now three retail units.

Bognor Regis Town Council objected to the original application back in January, and on Wednesday planning committee members voted by 4-3 to continue objecting to the revised plans.

Alison Sharples (Lab, Marine) said: “I want to see this site developed but not at the cost of our seaside town. We need something more in keeping with this area.”

She also raised the ‘inadequate’ parking and low level of affordable housing in the scheme.

Wayne Smith (Ind, Hotham) added: “They [the developers] have worked with us and Arun to try and make them better but for me there’s still other stuff to do.”

Meanwhile John Erskine (LDem, Pevensey) added: “They have moved in the right direction but it has to be closer. It’s not quite hit the mark.”

However the revised plans did win some backing with several councillors voting in favour of not objecting.

They argued for the need to redevelop the currently empty plot of land after both buildings were separately demolished.

John Barrett (LDem, Hotham) said he was minded not to object ‘just to get the project going’, while committee chairman Steve Goodheart (Ind, Hotham) said he was ‘excited’ about seeing redevelopment in Waterloo Square and wanted to see building work on the vacant site progress.

But by a vote of four to three the committee decided to continue objecting to the planning application.

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