£ 20million overhaul plan for Bognor and Littlehampton Brighton News

At a meeting of the economic committee on June 8, members authorized Karl Roberts, site manager, to finalize the application package, which must be submitted by June 18.

Nick Gibb, MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, has been asked to write a letter of support and Mr. Roberts will also be reaching out to neighboring MPs to do the same.

The Littlehampton project includes:

A lighting system around the Oyster Pond

New sanitary facilities, including a toilet for changing places

Outdoor showers

New concessions on Banjo Road

Four play areas including water jets

A redesign of the West Green car park

Improved public domain and extensive landscaping.

The Bognor Regis project includes:

New facade installations in the theater

More seats and other internal improvements

A new roof

Exhibition space

More meeting rooms

New toilets, including a toilet to change places.

The aim of the Leveling Up Fund is to provide investments for infrastructure in the most needy towns and villages, with coastal communities being one of the hot spots.

The first round of tendering focuses on three areas: regeneration, cultural investment and transport, with Arun’s offer covering the first two.

Being a competitive bidding process, however, there is no guarantee that the board will be successful – in fact, some advisers were sure it would not.

Others suggested that the Bognor Regis portion of the project should be put on hold for more work and a subsequent bid.

But it was stressed that the council would only get a bite of the icing – if Littlehampton’s offer was successful, it could not ask for more funding for Bognor.

Dr James Walsh (Lib Dem, Beach) said: ‘Let’s go with it with all our hearts. Let’s do our best to make sure we get it and that something really happens for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.

“Twenty million pounds is a lot of money and we really have to go full steam ahead.”

Andy Cooper (Con, Angmering & Findon) said the idea of ​​improved parking in Littlehampton was “a given”, but that he had concerns about the proposed changes to Banjo Road and how this would affect coach parking .

Calling Bognor’s plans a “good improvement,” he added: “I think this is just the tip of the iceberg for Bognor and all he will see in the next few years.”

Addressing the ‘nervousness’ shown by some towards Project Bognor, frontman Shaun Gunner (Con, Rustington East) said:’ This shows the ambition of the council that we want to make public money in order to attract people in our cities and show that we are investing and that the government, hopefully, is also investing in our cities. ”

He added: “What we hope is that this will be the catalyst for new investments, public and private, in the future and it is something that we should all be positive about.”

The board will know in September or October if his candidacy has been accepted.

If so, it will need to provide ten percent of the matching funding and will have until March 31, 2024 to spend the money.

When asked what would happen if the offer was not successful, a spokesperson said: ‘The council is committed to projects to rejuvenate and improve public spaces in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis and we are now making good progress and seeing both projects ramp up.

“We are confident in our offer for the Leveling Up Fund, but if this is unsuccessful, we will seek other sources of funding and explain why our cities would benefit from an investment.”

Mr Gunner added: “Bognor Regis and Littlehampton have enormous potential and the offers we have made are aimed at helping both towns – and the entire Arun district – realize that potential.

“We believe this £ 20million investment will achieve a value of £ 190million. This will boost tourism, economic growth and jobs in our region.

“It’s a good thing and I hope residents of both cities can see it.

“I am speaking to Members of Parliament, the Greater Brighton Economic Council and others to advocate for this investment.

“And if we don’t succeed, my passion for change remains intact.”