Funding under fire for Bognor watersports centre study

One of the town's councillors, Jim Brooks, said he did not believe the funding was the best use of public money.

Cllr Brooks, who represents Marine ward on the town and district councils, said Arun should have allowed just the University of Chichester and Butlins to put in 20,000 each into the research.

The centre would be run commercially and the study should be funded on that basis as well.

"I am very surprised the council is spending this money when we have got so much to spend money on," he stated at Tuesday's meeting of Bognor Regis Civic Society.

It was announced last month (March) that Arun, the University and Butlins had put 20,000 apiece into the year-long investigation to see if a watersports centre would be a success along Bognor seafront. Its most likely location is Clarence Road.

Felpham resident David Davies complained the proposals were too vague. He said: "We need more padding about it, such as what watersports would take place and who would run it."

Richard McMann, Arun's regeneration leader in Bognor, said becoming a backer showed the council's commitment to the project. "It's right that we put the resources in if we are going to get a return out of it in the form of kickstarting investment in the town."

Arun chief executive Ian Sumnall said the council was looking to make use of the university's worldwide reputation in watersports in a way which would benefit Bognor.

"The idea may be a bit nebulous but three organisations are saying let's put some money in and see if it's a viable proposal.

"We don't have the expertise within the council ... nor do Butlins ... to look at the commercial market in terms of watersports."

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