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Plenty has happened in the last year, but one of the most significant updates is that the former Lec site is going to be redeveloped by Sainsbury’s into a fantastic mixed use site, bringing jobs into the area and returning the retail giant into the town after a gap of almost 20 years.
This development has come after nearly two years of consultation, planning and public feedback sessions, and it’s the views and opinions of the local residents which have really helped this development come to life. Through many different public consultations – which will continue into the future and probably until the first foundations are laid – Bognor Regis residents have expressed exactly what they need to see on the site.
Much of this provision will centre around the employment opportunities inherent in the redevelopment as it won’t just be Sainsbury’s locating here – there’s the scope for other business units to come in as well. This might include the relocation of existing businesses or the delivery of an enterprise centre, helping the area’s small and growing businesses to find firm footings.
Away from the Lec site, the University of Chichester Campus is going to have a whole new look as well. In addition to more than doubling the number of students hosted on the campus by 2016, it is hoped that sporting facilities will be in place in time for the 2012 Olympics to help the students, local residents and shining sporting stars make the most of the historic events.
As part of the major overhaul, the revamped University site will focus on four main subject areas: graphic design, music studies (and popular music performances), sports science and a new school of enterprise, management and leadership. There can’t be any doubt that such a focused, redeveloped and forward looking site can only be of benefit to the Bognor Regis community, and the residents and businesses of the surrounding areas.
Many will have heard much talk about the ‘Leisure Heart’, which can be defined as the Regis site, next to Bognor Regis’ Town Hall. Key to the redevelopment of this area will be a reconnection of the town to the seafront, a rejuvenated promenade and plenty of open, public, space. The grand vision, although set in a contemporary context, may be likened to revisiting the resort’s original purpose – somewhere civilised to get away from the hustle and bustle, enjoy the record levels of sunshine and generally improve heath and well-being.
From entertainment provision to new housing, cinemas to restaurants, the redevelopment of the ‘Leisure Heart’ will forever change the way that Bognor Regis is appreciated.
So wide-ranging is the programme for Bognor Regis that it’s been recognised as an example of good practice in the South East by South East Excellence (SEE), part of SEEDA (the South East England Development Agency).
SEE said: “Although the construction phase of the regeneration has yet to begin, the Bognor Regis programme has carefully laid the ground work for revitalisation. It has established a vision for the regeneration, brought community members on board, and engaged stakeholders as partners in the development process.” (Follow the link from www.arun.gov.uk/bognorregis for the full story)
Being held up as an example of best practice is testament to the hard work put in by the Bognor Regis Regeneration Task Force, based in the Town Hall and headed up by Richard McMann – who many of you will have met at Business Partnership meetings. The Task Force have been driving the process forward, negotiating with the established and emerging players in the town’s regeneration, as well as keeping local residents and businesses abreast of the latest news. It’s a tough job – but somebody’s got to do it!
With so much going on in the town, there’s been the need for a single point of contact for all news and events to do with the regeneration. This portal has been established by Arun District Council and resides at www.arun.gov.uk/bognorregis. From Lec to Bersted Green Court, it’s all on the website as well as the latest planning applications. Don’t forget to keep checking for the latest updates!
Somewhere in the region of £500million is going to be pumped into Bognor Regis in the coming years and, despite the current economic climate, optimism for the town’s future is running higher than ever. The town is looking forward to a future that does its past justice, buoyed by the belief of the District Council and the private sector working together.
Keep checking the website and the local media for all of the updates as they happen – and make sure you take part in the forthcoming consultations to make sure that Bognor Regis is built into the town that you want to see.
