VOTE: Call to plough Butlins' cash into improving Bognor

Making a request using the Freedom of Information Act, the Observer discovered the town's holiday centre paid Arun District Council 2.75m to confirm its stay on the site for 125 years.

Among the key points of its lease was Butlins' pledge to put 20m into developing its facilities, which it has largely accomplished through opening its highly-successful Ocean Hotel last year.

But according to the Civic Society, the money paid to Arun should be used towards improving Bognor and driving forward its regeneration process.

He said: "The money raised from the lease extension of Butlins should be put into Bognor itself, which is I'm sure a view a lot of people in the town will share.

"It could be used to fund the regeneration of the Regis Centre site and the regeneration of the town.

"The development brief that the council is working to is years old now and does not reflect the situation we are now in.

"As a society we are in the process of putting together alternative ideas for the seafront, which we believe should feature a landmark iconic building with shopping, theatre and bowling among its facilities."

A spokesman for Arun District Council said: "We granted the

125- year lease extension to Butlins in 2008 on the condition they invest 20m in the Bognor Regis site.

"With the opening of the Ocean Hotel in August last year, Butlins have moved close to fulfilling their part of this agreement.

"The new lease has enabled Butlins to secure an even greater investment programme for their Bognor Regis operation, and this will bring a range of additional benefits to the town.

"At the public meeting staged in November, Butlins, alongside other investors, confirmed that the wider regeneration programme taking place in Bognor Regis was a key reason for their investment in the town.

"The council has not given, or loaned, any money to Butlins, or any other company or individual associated with them.

"It is not council policy to ring-fence capital receipts funds

for any particular area of the district.

"The council has determined its priorities for the future, and in its annual budget the allocation of its financial resources to support these priorities.

"The council uses its revenue and capital budgets on delivering services and new development in Arun wherever it is needed."

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