CiViC call for new debate on Bognor regeneration

The town's CiViC Society wants the session to enable public opinion about the important subject to be fully reflected.

It says the session is vital after it called into question the results of a major survey about the plans to revamp and revitalise the central area.

Hugh Coster, the society's deputy chairman, said: "We will be calling on Arun District Council and St Modwen to hold a genuine open public debate in the town where they can answer everybody's questions and take proper account of public opinion.

"They haven't done this since 2004 and it's not good enough just to leave it to others and then ignore the results.

Mr Coster said CiViC remained positive about the principle of regeneration but said it was not good enough just to say something should be done in Bognor.

"This issue is so vitally important for the town and for our children," he stated. "And it will be a 100 year disaster if we get it wrong."

His comments came as the society questioned the results of a major survey into the regeneration proposals.

The society's officers stated the analysis by developer St Modwen of the public's response to an exhibition in January was out of line with its knowledge of residents' opinions.

In particular, they said the survey's result, published in last week's Observer,was completely at odds with public opposition to putting flats on the Regis Centre site.

A 10,158 strong petition was collected a few years ago from people opposed to residential accommodation on the key location.

This was backed by some 250 people at a civic society meeting in January.

Mr Coster said: "We want to know why the consultation failed so conspicuously to show the real level of what informed opinion in the town knows to be the truth and why other results, such as the Esplanade closure, are way out of line with public opinion.

"It could be, for example, that the wrong questions were asked, or even simple miscounting of the responses as evidenced by the fact that some of their numbers don't add up."