Bognor Scouts receive permission for their new headquarters

The planning approval was given for the building off Central Drive at the second attempt by the 11th Bognor Scout Group.

The latest design’s pitched roof with timber clad gables – which replaced the proposed flat roof – overcame Arun District Council’s planning officers’ objections.

Senior planning officer Katherine Rawlins said: “The replacement pitched-roof modular building is of a more appropriate design that is in keeping with the character and appearance of the main Scout hut building on the site.

“The previous application was refused on design grounds as the replacement flat-roof modular building was considered to be of poor-quality design that would adversely affect the character and appearance of the area.”

Bognor Scouts’ district commissioner Vicky Hennessy said the £35,000 project would become a focal point for Scouting around the town.

“It will make a big difference to us when we get this building,” she said.

“We will be looking to start work as soon as we get the building regulations for the new hut sorted out and the rest of the money.

“We have got £10,000 so far thanks to Bognor Regis and Bersted councils and we will now be going out to other people and doing some fundraising.

“I leave this role next March and this building will be my gift to the new commissioner if it can be installed in time.”

The new portable building will be sited in the grounds of the 11th Bognor Scout Group’s premises.

It will replace the collapsing remains of the town’s first Scout hut built nearly 100 years ago.

Costing £35,000 to buy and install, it will be used as the Scout’s Bognor district HQ and, for two hours a week, as a shop.

It is slightly smaller – 9.6m long, 2.8m high and 6m wide – than the existing building.