Residents turn out in their thousands

The astounding turnout at the three day-long exhibition staged by St Modwen saw it buzzing with interest.

Some 2,200 people went along to the event at the Bognor Regis Methodist Church Hall on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Their comments will be assessed by St Modwen. Particular attention will be paid to the concerns about the the 30-storey tower block and the promenade closure.

The company's senior development manager for the ambitious project,Gary Morris, said: "Over the next few months, we will be working closely with the district and county councils to find possible solutions to the highway-related matters and also testing the implications of a tower in the location proposed.

"This is a really exciting time for the town and it is vitally important that we consult the local community at this stage so that their ideas and input can help shape the form of the proposals."

The response to the exhibition delighted him.

"We are absolutely blown away with the interest. It's been fantastic," he stated.

"It tells us that people want to see the regeneration of Bognor and they have a real interest in their town.

"They had to make an effort to come to the display and we're pleased they did.

"We have had a real cross-section of the community. The two main issues that they have raised are the two we expected '“ the 30-storey tower block and the closure of The Esplanade."

Mr Morris said the development team had used the exhibition to explain why a 30-storey building of 180 flats was needed.

"We want to make a new landmark for Bognor rather than Fitzleet House, which people accept is not a very attractive building.

"Building a new block just a couple of storeys higher would not create a new landmark.

"The new landmark would be built to the highest architectural quality which people can be proud of."

He explained the seafront's closure had been based on extensive traffic flow modelling to show how the existing roads could cope with the increased number of vehicles.

St Modwen's aim is to create a year-round destination by providing a wide range of quality leisure, entertainment, residential and community facilities and attractive open spaces.

More details about the regeneration schemes will be made public at the company's next exhibition.

This is due to take place in June. The company intends to submit a planning application about four months later.

If Arun District Council approves the scheme, and also agrees as the sites' landowner, the redevelopment should begin in mid-2009. Hothamton is likely to be the first site to be tackled from late 2009.

The expected completion date for the entire project is 2013-14.

Bognor Regis Civic Society members maintained a constant presence outside the exhibition. They handed out leaflets informing the public of their concerns about the number of flats in the scheme and what benefits regeneration would bring to the town.