Bognor Residents to cast vote on regeneration debate

The voters will get the chance to have their say about the important subject in a town poll between 4pm and 9pm on June 4.

Some 16,000 people living in Orchard, Pevensey, Marine and Hotham wards will be able to take part in the referendum.

They will be asked to answer yes or no to four questions. Voting will be by attending polling stations only.

The poll was formally called by 18 residents at an electors' meeting on Monday.

The actions of Philip Lee, Simon Holland, Douglas Glossop, Michael Phillips, Anthony Jones, Claire Jones, Tudor Watson, Stephen Emck, Jerry Tomlinson, Roger Tyrrell, Julian Morgan, Pauline Nash, Mary Stanley, David Jones, John Stanley, Jan Cosgrove, Gillian Farina and Roger Nash in standing up for the poll came after a show of hands at Monday's electors' meeting easily exceeded the legal minimum for the vote to take place.

The vote followed a two-hour debate among some 60 people who crowded into the town hall's council chamber. Passions ran high during the meeting. The need for regenerating Bognor town centre was never in doubt. Support for a poll was also widespread.

But the need for one at this stage of the consultation process was hotly disputed as the argument raged back and forth among those who stated their case to hold a poll soon or delay it until the autumn.

St Modwen is compiling more detailed plans for its 100m-plus scheme for the Regis Centre and Hothamton sites.

The initial proposals, seen at an exhibition last January, featured an entertainment centre on the seafront with a ten-pin bowling alley and a live show/cinema venue topped by some 168 flats.

A restaurant would be on the beach opposite and The Esplanade in the area would be closed.

For the Hothamton site, the scheme so far involves a 180-flat tower block of some 30 storeys with a food store, offices for some 250 workers and a possible new health centre. A library could also be included in the redevelopment.

St Modwen is committed to preparing detailed plans for a display in the summer or autumn before planning permission is sought at the end of this year.

n An extraordinary meeting of Bognor Regis Town Council is being held next weekto ratify the staging of the town poll.

Councillors will be asked to discuss matters such as whether polling cards should be issued.

The meeting takes place at 7pm on Tuesday, May 6, in the town hall's council chamber.