£30m revamp for University of Chichester's campus at Bognor

But they have appealed for the university to make sure it gets its parking and student accommodation plans right.

The university has received 8m for the first stage of its ten-year plan, which will include refurbishing the interior of The Dome '“ built in 1780 '“ and turning it into a business centre.

Stan Jonas, chairman of Brighter Bognor, said: "We are pleased to see it because there had been detractors around the town who said it wouldn't happen.

"We welcome co-operation between the university and businesses because it will increase educational opportunities and provide jobs for graduates in new business units.

"Despite the economic situation at the moment, we see this as being very positive and good for Bognor Regis, and it will help the regeneration that has long been needed."

Hugh Coster, deputy chairman of the Bognor Regis Civic Society, said: "The creation of more courses, an influx of more students and upgraded accommodation is good for the town, and will bring in more people and money.

"It's a terrifically positive step to get this funding, and we look forward to seeing further details of what is going to go there."

Mr Coster said he had heard some complaints from residents of Mead Lane, Hook Lane and Madeira Avenue about parking congestion caused by students at the Bognor Regis campus.

He added: "The view of the civic society is it is the responsibility of the university to provide adequate parking so it won't have a negative effect on adjacent residents.

"It needs to make parking close, easy and cheap for students, otherwise they will just park in the roads."

He was also interested to see the fine detail of the student homes, and said: "We want to be sure the new student accommodation is not detrimental to the town and that it is provided in a sympathetic manner."

Sandra Jowett, pro vice-chancellor of the University of Chichester, said: "Having this funding is a very big step forward and an important part of what we want to achieve for the local economy, and for students to have the best possible chance to succeed.

"Linking with employers is very important to us. A key part of what we want to achieve is to establish ourselves as a base for employers.

"An increase in students is just a very small part of it. We want to introduce a culture of enterprise. The university is seen as a key partner in enterprise and regeneration."

She added: "We would want to increase the number of students undertaking business courses, but most of the growth is with people in work, working with employers to develop and enhance their skills.

"We are working in partnership to increase employment opportunities and are looking for development managers to drive that forward.

"This investment in business will help enrich students' enjoyment, success and employment prospects, and make this a very vibrant and outward-facing institution, even more than it is today."

On the issue of parking, she said: "Like all organisations, we have a green transport policy and have appointed an environmental officer to deal with that sort of thing. It's a challenge that all organisations are facing.

"But a lot of what this project involves is taking education to employers' premises, and evening work, so there will not be a massive increase in full-time day work."

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