Regeneration '“ last chance to have a say

So says Hugh Coster, the deputy chairman of the Civic Society, which has organised a special meeting to give residents the opportunity to have their say over what is proposed.

It comes before ADC and St Modwen sign the development agreement, possibly as early as next month, which will give the stamp of approval to St Modwen as its preferred developers for the towns' 100m regeneration proposals.

'Arun is on the verge of signing an agreement and there is doubt, suspicion and rumours surrounding the proposals,' said Mr Coster.

'Nobody knows what's going on the seafront site and we need to make it clear to Arun and St Modwen there are some very specific views about the proposals.

He declared that the plans could not go ahead 'without knowing what Bognor people want or don't want'.

Mr Coster called on as many residents, business people and private individuals as possible to support the meeting which takes place at the Royal Norfolk Hotel on Tuesday October 30, 7.30pm. It has also invited among many others Bognor town councillors, members of the town's chamber of commerce, Vision Group, Arun and representatives from St Modwen.

On Wednesday, many people, according to the Civic Society, already had made a pledge to attend including chief executive of Arun District Council Ian Sumnall.

'This could be the last chance for people to have a say before ADC and St Modwen between them decide to place whatever they choose on that site.'

'At the moment, they will produce the scheme and the public consultation will follow. But we want to tell them before they start designs,' continued Mr Coster.

'It is very, very important for people to attend, there's no charge and the whole idea is for Bognor to speak out and Arun and St Modwen to listen.'

Mr Coster poured scorn on the Arun sub committee which has been set up to debate the issues over regeneration.

'There is nobody from Bognor on it, apart from Cllr Paul Wells, and the public have ducked out because meetings are held in secret session.'