Alternative vision for the development for the Regis Centre site

I've received this from Kim Davies, a valued Town Councillor, and publish it in the spirit she asks for, that of getting good ideas out there so we can all consider them.  

It fits the bill in many ways, as it has a landmark new theatre, although in my opinion the Museum of Comedy rates as a real crowd-puller unique in attractions in coastal resort towns.  Also it addresses a key issue, the centrality of that sea front site in a resort town, which is what Bognor Regis is and we forget that at our and its disadvantage.  Add the idea of the lido just in front over the road and we have a crowd puller scenario.

Bognor is suffering a commercial battering - although "I'm hatin' " the food and the Ronald Macdonald ethos complete with being shite towards staff etc, it has to be true that the loss of their fast-food outlet is a bad sign.

Early in 2013 my son, Luke Davis (who had recently passed his degree in Architecture) drew up an alternative vision for the development for the Regis Centre site which was sent to both councillors and officers of ADC; the St Modwen deal was still on the table then and, whilst it did receive a few positive comments from ADC, it was not seriously considered at the time.

I am sending it to you after reading the invitation from Gillian Brown for "complimentary and commercially viable alternatives" to the original scheme. My sons vision does keep some of the core elements of the original scheme. He does assert that without some flats (for example) the scheme would not have financial feasibility; the 80 room hotel remains also, the lack of adequate parking that hampered the original scheme is addressed. In many ways, though, it is radically different and hopefully this difference addresses the main objections to the original plans which were that the "clone town" package deal of multiplex with cluster of multinational restaurants was unimaginative and posed an unnecessary threat to our beloved Art Deco Picturedrome. 

We feel this alternative scheme responds to the message that comes continually from the collective wisdom of the community to celebrate the sea. 

Here it is below with a script and the detail. We hope you will publish it and that the residents of Bognor Regis will like it or at least be inspired to come forward with other alternative visions for the regeneration of the town we love.  

Kind Regards

Ms Kim Davis 

Chichester Road 

Bognor Regis 

         

                                                      The Script: 

The original concept was local architect Nick Hopper's, and the idea is to bring the identity of Bognor Regis as a Seaside Resort back into focus by creating a beach scene within the development.

The main feature of the site remains the Alexandra Theatre (rebuilt in the plans). The plan has scope for increasing the seating to up to 750 but below it is a lower figure as there are differing opinions with regards to the matter of seating capacity. Certainly if a less imaginative development went ahead it is hard to see the Theatre attracting high numbers, but with a bolder and more architecturally stunning development and adequate parking it seems possible to put the matter of the size of the Theatre back on the agenda.

The plan includes a water feature (paddling pool/lido or a large pavement fountain), a row of pretty beach huts sweeping all along one outside edge of the site towards the town centre, wooden boardwalks, zip wires, sandy areas with sports courts, a roof garden with sea views, a climbing wall and (after submitting the idea to Bognor Regis town councillors)  a suggestion of having an outdoor screen for a drive-in cinema has been made. 

With an eclectic approach to making the site a place of interest for tourists the detail of the features can be flexible. For example after speaking to Mr Lynne we accepted that a pool may be considered too expensive to maintain and we suggested the alternative of a pavement fountain area which would be cheaper to install and maintain but create the same effect as a pool. People love water and pavement fountains are an excellent cost effective alternative to the often suggested lido, in fact with good use of lighting pavement fountains are a stunning but affordable alternative.

The connectedness to the beach that a row of beach huts, boardwalks and water fountains creates is both imagined and real. The beach huts, for example, could be sold individually or be a facade encasing small cafés which used and interior space of three units whilst appearing to be individual huts from outside; the main boardwalk could take you straight to the sand.

There is increased parking created by closing the section of The Esplanade off along the whole width of the site; doing this also increases the feeling of connection to the beach; the boardwalk crosses the Esplanade car parking area and could sweep round to create a platform over the shingle with a ramp to the sand. 

                                                    The Detail:

Car Parking
150 spaces in the car park
200 spaces chevron parking in Esplanade parking area.

Hotel
80 Hotel rooms
The Hotel is part of the residential 'block'. They are not on the ground floor plans as there are 5 stories (80 hotel rooms) starting from the first floor (the hotel is in the checked line above the parked cars)

Residential
There are a proposed 87 residential flats (6 stories) which are mostly south facing and encase the car park away from proposed beach area. Some of the building hovers like a large cantilever above the old fire station (which could be used as a car parking facilitation building or Tourist Information Centre).

The 'Roundabout'
The circular building is a proposed restaurant with panoramic views and a bar on the first floor which overlooks the restaurant. A roof garden sits above the structure and circulates routes from the high street to the promenade as well as offering a raised view (this because the sea cannot be seen from ground level). The 'arms' of the roundabout service the space around them. For example the north arm could support spectator seating staggering towards the beach soccer and volleyball courts. The left selling ice creams, hats etc and the south arm becoming an enclosed breakfast bar.  A pavement fountain sits next the restaurant epicentre.

The Cultural Block
This consists of a double height north facing gallery with 4-6 work studios on the first floor for artists to rent; a new 540 seat theatre enclosed between the gallery and retail shops with a first floor bar.

Retail
5 proposed retail units as well a 3 first floor south facing restaurants and 1 restaurant on ground floor and a bar on the first floor of the theatre. Watersports hire building sitting on the promenade with a ramp down to the beach.

Activity
Rather than having a cinema on such a prime location in Bognor Regis, there are a range of activities to utilise the space and get people moving and involved in seaside resort activities. This approach may give Bognor Regis back the niche of being a tourist destination which is what a regeneration development seeks to achieve.

Proposed activities include:

-A Climbing Wall
-A large and small Zip Wire
-A volley Ball court
-A large interactive water fountain or paddling pool/lido
-A soccer court
-A raised roof garden which promotes movement and connects beach and town.
-A gallery with its own work studios
-A new theatre
-Flat outside garden (in the area where the east mounds are now)
-Watersports hire. Jet skis, kayakes canoes, wind surfing, boats, pedalo's, etc.
-Beach huts