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There is a lot going on in 2013 with Arun and the
District, The Arun local Plan will be
finalised and put to an independent examiner for agreement, (the local plan is a template for development
until 2026 involving Housing, workspace, Economic activity , Roads and
transportation) Housing numbers to be
built per year will be a key element to the plan and thanks to representations
by Worthing Borough Council and Chichester District Council the pressure is for
Arun to increase annual numbers from our preference of 400 houses per year
to the 565 that was in the South East
Plan.
In fact the evidence is pressuring
us to go even higher, something the residents of Arun do not want and something
I am currently minded to resist.
The leisure Strategy is being debated by Full Council on the
20th of March and this will decide the future of Leisure sports and
culture in the District, we commissioned the strategy to give Leisure in the
District a sustainable future for the next 50 years, but this will involve
difficult decisions after wide spread consultation. Key issues are the future of the Windmill
Theatre, The Littlehampton Swimming & Sports Centre, A possible new leisure
centre in Littlehampton, Investment in The Arun Leisure Centre, The Swansea
Bowling green in Bognor, New Community Facilities and the streetscape in
Arundel.
Bognor Regis regeneration will be decided this year with the
possible £40 million pound regeneration of the town centre by St Modwin's, with
new shops, restaurants, a hotel and a mini-plex, cinema. this has been out to
extensive public consultation which has resulted polarised views. I believe this is a one in a generation opportunity
for Bognor Regis and if the local community fails to grasp it they will subject
the town to 10 years economic malaise.
The North Bognor relief road started construction on the 15th
of January and this will speed journey times on the A259 and give a viable
alternative to the A27 at times of stress.
The road is being financed by the house builders developing Felpham and
North Bersted and will cross the A29 north of Bognor. This has been in the offering for a number of
years, but has only recently been triggered by house building passing the
required number within the development agreement, this is a sure sign that the
economy is starting to motor. A positive
note for a year of change. Until next
month I wish you a prosperous February. email: Pauldendle@aol.com
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