Agenda item

This report reviews the status of the Pavilion Park scheme and sets out proposals to revisit the future of the Hothamton site in Bognor Regis.

The Chairman invited the Director of Services to present her report.  She confirmed that it had been requested by the new administration in response to their wish to review the status of the Pavilion Park scheme.  The report therefore reviewed this and it set out proposals for an alternative way forward. 

Before debate on this item commenced, Councillor Purchese confirmed that he wished to make an Open-Minded Declaration as he had acted as Councillor Stanley’s Election Agent during the 2 May District Council Elections.  Councillor Purchese stated that despite any views that he may have expressed at that time, he had an open mind regarding this item and would listen and consider all the relevant issues and would reach his decision on merit.  He asked for his full declaration to be recorded within the minutes of this meeting.

Councillor Purchese stated that he had listened very carefully to the concerns of the people in and around Bognor Regis who had expressed a very clear love for the Sunken Gardens and had very clearly stated that they wished to see them improved but also retained in some way.  The request to revisit the future of this site would be a positive step and the aim was to work up a project brief for the future in a democratic way providing the public with the opportunity to have their say and to show that the Council was taking on board their concerns.  The Sunken Gardens contained history and nostalgia and should be replaced by something that could significantly enhance the area.

These views were strongly supported and it was stated by Councillor Oppler that he had genuinely looked and researched into this issue for well over a year and that he had listened togethether with other Ward Councillors to verbal and written comments made by local people in greater Bognor Regis.  The very strong message being delivered was that the Sunken Gardens needed to be saved.  On 2 May 2019, electors had been given a distinct choice to make whether to vote for a party that promised to review this scheme or to vote for the old administration that would continue with the Linear Park proposals.  It was clear from the survey results seen that the majority of residents in the area wished to see the Sunken Gardens to be retained in some form.  The report before Members presented the best solution, which was that a new brief would be pulled together setting out three options for Cabinet to consider before being subject to public consultation.  The consultation exercise would allow the public to have direct input into what would be proposed for the future.  Looking at costs, the Council was reminded that it had spent £659k on regeneration plans to date, with very little to show for this money.  From now onwards, there would be a significant change of direction in that the Sunken Gardens would be kept for future generations to enjoy.

Councillor Stanley confirmed that he welcomed the recommendations and he stated that this was a positive moment for this Council.  There had been very clear options on the table for the community to consider.  The result being that the public had voted for a party that would save and enhance the Sunken Gardens and this was precisely what would now happen but in a very democratic way as well as retaining the health centre in the area.

The Cabinet

            RESOLVED – That

(1)          The Council revisits the future of Hothamton site in Bognor Regis and develop three alternative proposals for the areas previously designated for the Pavilion Park, which focus on the Sunken Gardens and Hothamton play areas only, which is to retain the split levels (Map at Appendix 2).  These proposals will not include any residential development and the health centre will not be affected by any of the plans put forward;

(2)          The previously approved option and consultant appointment be terminated; and

(3)          A brief for Cabinet to consider be drawn up prior to public consultation.

The Cabinet then confirmed its decision as per Decision Notice C/006/080719), a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.

The Chairman invited the Director of Services to present her report.  She confirmed that it had been requested by the new administration in response to their wish to review the status of the Pavilion Park scheme.  The report therefore reviewed this and it set out proposals for an alternative way forward. 

Before debate on this item commenced, Councillor Purchese confirmed that he wished to make an Open-Minded Declaration as he had acted as Councillor Stanley’s Election Agent during the 2 May District Council Elections.  Councillor Purchese stated that despite any views that he may have expressed at that time, he had an open mind regarding this item and would listen and consider all the relevant issues and would reach his decision on merit.  He asked for his full declaration to be recorded within the minutes of this meeting.

Councillor Purchese stated that he had listened very carefully to the concerns of the people in and around Bognor Regis who had expressed a very clear love for the Sunken Gardens and had very clearly stated that they wished to see them improved but also retained in some way.  The request to revisit the future of this site would be a positive step and the aim was to work up a project brief for the future in a democratic way providing the public with the opportunity to have their say and to show that the Council was taking on board their concerns.  The Sunken Gardens contained history and nostalgia and should be replaced by something that could significantly enhance the area.

These views were strongly supported and it was stated by Councillor Oppler that he had genuinely looked and researched into this issue for well over a year and that he had listened togethether with other Ward Councillors to verbal and written comments made by local people in greater Bognor Regis.  The very strong message being delivered was that the Sunken Gardens needed to be saved.  On 2 May 2019, electors had been given a distinct choice to make whether to vote for a party that promised to review this scheme or to vote for the old administration that would continue with the Linear Park proposals.  It was clear from the survey results seen that the majority of residents in the area wished to see the Sunken Gardens to be retained in some form.  The report before Members presented the best solution, which was that a new brief would be pulled together setting out three options for Cabinet to consider before being subject to public consultation.  The consultation exercise would allow the public to have direct input into what would be proposed for the future.  Looking at costs, the Council was reminded that it had spent £659k on regeneration plans to date, with very little to show for this money.  From now onwards, there would be a significant change of direction in that the Sunken Gardens would be kept for future generations to enjoy.

Councillor Stanley confirmed that he welcomed the recommendations and he stated that this was a positive moment for this Council.  There had been very clear options on the table for the community to consider.  The result being that the public had voted for a party that would save and enhance the Sunken Gardens and this was precisely what would now happen but in a very democratic way as well as retaining the health centre in the area.

The Cabinet

            RESOLVED – That

(1)          The Council revisits the future of Hothamton site in Bognor Regis and develop three alternative proposals for the areas previously designated for the Pavilion Park, which focus on the Sunken Gardens and Hothamton play areas only, which is to retain the split levels (Map at Appendix 2).  These proposals will not include any residential development and the health centre will not be affected by any of the plans put forward;

(2)          The previously approved option and consultant appointment be terminated; and

(3)          A brief for Cabinet to consider be drawn up prior to public consultation.

The Cabinet then confirmed its decision as per Decision Notice C/006/080719), a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.