Consultation is an overwhelming success | Latest news

Arun District Council has had an overwhelming response to its recent public consultation on the regeneration of Bognor Regis, which was published on Tuesday 7 July, which threw open the debate to residents on how the Hothampton Car Park and Regis Centre Sites could be developed, including ideas submitted by local groups and organisations. 

The Council took every opportunity to reach as many residents as possible in the district, including the ‘hard to reach’ groups such as young people and the elderly, through hosting consultation events and setting up information displays in key locations across the district, visiting schools, colleges and universities and via an on-line feedback survey on their website. 

Says Cllr Mrs Gillian Brown, Leader of Arun District Council:  “We promised that we would ask, and we promised that we would listen to what our residents would like to see in Bognor Regis. We put a great amount of effort into planning this consultation process so that we could gain as much feedback from as many residents as possible, and it has really paid off – the outcome has been a huge success.  It is clear to us that a development is very much wanted by people living both within and outside of Bognor Regis, and sooner rather than later.

“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the feedback we have received. Collectively, it is the most vital part of the equation that will help us create the Bognor Regis that we all want.”

Restaurants, cafes, theatre & arts, public spaces, gardens and water features gained the most positive feedback from those who took part in the consultation exercise, although one of the most significant findings was the lack of support for a new multiplex cinema, so it is proposed not to include this in the scheme.  There was also considerable support for the very popular ‘Beach on the Beach’ project and for a new free-to-play children’s playground on the central promenade, as well as making improvements to the Alexandra Theatre, all of which are included in short term proposals, whilst the overall regeneration scheme is developed.

Arun District Councillors will be deciding on how to take forward the proposals for the regeneration of Bognor Regis at next week’s Full Council Meeting on 15 July 2015. To read the consultation reports, visit our website at: www.arun.gov.uk.