Move could benefit both town and campus

That's the view of the University of Chichester's vice-chancellor, Dr Robin Baker.

He described the possibility as exciting. He was commenting after a proposal to move the town's library from London Road on to the university's revamped campus off Upper Bognor Road.

"The proposal is a very interesting one, certainly from our point of view because we see the university developing many more community facilities.

"Co-locating the civic and academic libraries would would achieve that and encourage more people of all ages to come on to the campus. We want to get away from being seen as an ivory tower to a site where the community feels at ease to come on to."

Dr Baker said fears about the library's presence worsening the parking problems around the campus were unfounded.

"Obviously, within the planning that will go on for the community development of the campus we will take the parking issue very much to heart. That will be a matter for Arun District Council's planners to consider when they look at our proposals.

"But the aim of the development is to improve the present situation and not to worsen it," he stressed.

He explained that joining the two libraries would be achieved through zoning the different sections. Such an approach had recently worked well in places such as Worcester.

He explained it would be five to seven years before the campus' 30m revival took place. Subjects such as sports, creative arts and catering will replace the present emphasis on teaching training.

"We will need to have a new library anyway. The current one is limited and, for the new range of subjects we will be offering in Bognor, we will need a new one as soon as there is a major development there."

The idea from a regeneration vision group has been criticised by councillors, community leaders and the town's chamber of commerce.

They fear the move will take the library too far away from the town centre.

But Dr Baker said siting the library on the campus would make access easier for Felpham and Middleton residents.

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