Consultation call for park

An artist's view of the linear park

A REQUEST to shelve spending on a proposed park for Bognor Regis has been rejected.

Cllr Matt Stanley called on the leader of Arun District Council to put the £300,000 due to be spent on the next stage of planning the Hothamton linear park on hold for further consultation to be held.

But Cllr Gillian Brown, who heads the Tory-run council, said the decision about the park had already been made.

The council was committed to going ahead with a planning application for the £3m scheme to transform the Hothamton car park off Queensway.

Cllr Stanley (LD, Marine) told last week's full meeting of the council he wanted more time to be taken before Arun committed itself to spending residents' money on the proposal.

Only 19 people had backed the idea during a consultation attended by 120 residents last October.

He said: "I respectfully ask the leader to delay spending £300,000 to progress the linear park project to the next stage before the following two points can be evidenced.

"Firstly, that the £3.5m due to be spent on the linear park will provide value for money for the taxpayers who will have to pay the bill. Secondly, that the linear park is widely supported by the majority of Bognor Regis residents."

He said a lot of concern existed about the proposals from residents who had spoken to him about them.

"Unfortunately, the council's officers are unable to attend a public meeting to answer questions about the consultation.

"Would Cllr Brown be able to attend a meeting to discuss her views of the linear park with Bognor Regis residents?"

But Cllr Mrs Brown (C, Aldwick E) said adequate consultation had been carried out since 2015.

"We have had consultation on whether the local plan takes place. That is done.

"Any resident, and all the residents of the area, will be able to comment on the planning application.

"What's the point in holding a public meeting when the decision has already been made?

"We asked residents what they would like to see these two sites (Regis Centre and Hothamton) used for. It was very clear this was wanted by residents both inside and outside Bognor Regis."

For Hothamton, the idea is to create a park that has a variety of uses for children and adults with a new play area, adult gym, cafes and a potential petanque pitch.

There could also be water features, cycle routes and public seating. Two blocks of flats are also planned.

"These proposals are unashamedly ambitious and will be transformational for Bognor Regis but this is what is needed to change the perception of the town," she said.

"We have public support for this. Timing is everything and the community is tired of waiting for things to happen," added Cllr Mrs Brown.

For the Regis Centre site, the council wants to create a winter garden around a bigger Alexandra Theatre. But this scheme is not so far advanced.