Watersports centre focus for Bognor's new seafront strategy

The world-class facility is seen as one of the key features of the improvement of the promenade during the next 25 years.

The strategy was backed by members of Arun District Council's Bognor Regis sub-committee on Monday.

It is likely to be ratified by all Arun councillors in the next few weeks.

Alex Herbert, from consultants EDAW which compiled the strategy, said attention should be switched to the centre from any lingering hopes of a marina.

"It is a lot more deliverable and, bearing in mind issues such as land ownership, it is a lot easier to make it happen.

"It is a very different initiative but it will serve some of the same purpose in attracting people to come and make the most of the seafront," he commented.

His proposals involve siting the centre on the car parks at Gloucester Road and creating an iconic and environmentally friendly building.

It could stretch over the promenade to provide stunning views of the sea for a first-floor restaurant.

Sports such as kitesurfing, jetskiing and scuba diving could take place in the centre, he suggested.

Arun has already begun a study with Butlins and the University of Chichester into the likely success of such a centre based on the university's world-class sports reputation.

Paula Welland, the council's Bognor regeneration task force project and programme manager, said it had been anticipated that the centre could take a decade to deliver.

But she stated: "It may well be that the centre, because there is so much interest, will come forward much faster than we expected."

But the strategy '“ which would cost 20m to implement in all '“ is as much about smaller touches as the bigger gestures.

It features a cycling and fitness trail, concessions, public art, street furniture, public toilets and coastal defence.

It looks at the seafront between West Park to the last of the beach huts in Felpham.

Work began on the strategy last July and included a public exhibition last November.

Some 400 people attended and more than 190 comments were received.

Interviews with 120-plus people were also carried out on the seafront.

THE strategy divides the seafront into five areas:

Aldwick: relaxation '“ pedestrian priority area at Silverston Avenue and easier crossing points from Marine Park Gardens, perhaps opening up the seafront through buying and removing some beach huts;

Victoria Drive to the pier: creating character '“ an improved children's play area at Rock Gardens, pedestrian priority area outside the Royal Norfolk Hotel, keep the skate park, more landscaping opposite The Steyne, public art installed next to the pier.

Pier to Butlins: traditional/modern holiday entertainment '“ tidy up the fishermen's area, extend the promenade's width with decking, build a jetty to create a pool and small section of sandy beach in response to public demand;

These changes could take place whether or not the St Modwen's regeneration scheme went ahead.

Butlins: active beach zone '“ the watersports centre;

Felpham: relaxation '“ a landmark piece of art but otherwise unchanged.

Call for ideas on public art on Bognor's seafront

Elephants are unlikely to feature in the new-look Bognor Regis seafront.

Life-sized fibre glass models of the large mammals were one of the main talking points of last year's consultation.

But consultant Alex Herbert said: "We need further ideas on the public art. It needs to be a fresh idea rather than anchors or mermaids, but not necessarily elephants."

Sub-committee member David Biss (Lib Dem) said he had seen images of elephants at various places where they had stopped while travelling with circuses.

"It's not something that is unique to Bognor. It's something that happened around the country."

Ricky Bower (Con) said: "The public art along the seafront has to be of a very high standard. Anything that is not high standard would only reinforce the perception people outside Bognor have of the town."

The idea of improved access to the beach along Marine Drive West was generally welcomed by councillors.

But Cllr Bower stated he was concerned too much traffic could be diverted along the already busy Aldwick Road.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP