Chichester University's Grade II building to be campus's learning hub in Bognor Regis

The leading expert was joined by fellow designer John McFaul in the visit to the town's campus of the University of Chichester.

They looked around Mordington, a grade two listed building, which is the west wing of The Dome house. This was the cornerstone of Sir Richard Hotham's vision in the 1780s to turn Bognor into a seaside resort fit for royalty.

Its new role will see it taking on another pivatol role in the town's future as it becomes the centrepiece of a 21st century academic hub nurturing creativity.

Wayne Hemingway and John McFaul's role is to recommend how that could be achieved ready for the first degree course in graphic design to start at the Upper Bognor Road site next September.

By then, the students on the university's musical studies foundation degree will have completed their first 12 months of studying.

More than 40 of them enrolled on the ground-breaking course this week which is being run with the help of Butlins.

The Alexandra Theatre is also involved in providing real experiences for the students as opposed to purely academic studies.

Rox music and arts organisation will gain a permanent presence on the campus in the next months as part of the university's work in broadening the appeal of its location.

Sports facilities are also being planned. These are moving to Bognor from Chichester, though it is likely to be after the 2012 Olympics.

But the prize for the wait could be sports facilities of a regional standard to turn Bognor into a centre for the south east.

A study is being carried out for the University to back its case for funding to boost the already planned facilities to put Bognor on the map as a centre of excellence for elite athletes throughout the region.

Dr Robin Baker, the university's vice-chancellor, said: "We will know in the next few months how successful we are in getting the funding.

"Sport is definitely coming to Bognor but to develop the facilities to a regional standard will make it difficult for us to afford on our own."

The study is gathering views from the bodies such as the South East England Development Agency and West Sussex County Council.

The bid for money, when the amount is known, will go to the Higher Education Funding Council.

Completing the revamp of the campus will be a school of enterprise, leadership and management.

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