Town Vision - Views Sought

And the authors of the blueprint, dubbed Littlehampton's 2020 Vision, have a simple message for residents: "Tell us what you think '” whether you love it or hate it!"

A new bridge over the Arun, at the river's mouth, relocation of the swimming and sports centre to the town centre, and housing development as part of major changes on the west bank of the harbour are likely to be among the big talking points when a series of public exhibitions starts on Monday.

The draft Littlehampton Vision has been drawn up following workshop sessions attended by a wide spectrum of town organisations and led by consultants Donaldsons. The brief was that nothing should be ruled out '” and so some of the suggestions are bound to stir up strong feelings.

The study was commissioned by the Town Centre Action Group,

whose chairman, town mayor Malcolm Belchamber, described the proposals as "exciting and sometimes radical".

He added: "It is vital that residents take this opportunity to see for themselves some of the ideas on the table and decide which ones, or indeed which others, they would like to see turned into reality."

Mr Belchamber said he hoped the Vision project would "build on the enthusiasm and opportunities which already exist among local people to create a shared vision for the town".

The draft sets out "areas of opportunity", sites with the

potential for major housing and/or business development in the future. These include:

* Railway Wharf, which could become available if the harbour's commercial trade dries up;

* the Travis Perkins' builders merchants at Clifton Road, where a "residential quarter, with retail and restaurant uses at ground floor" and public open spaces/squares;

* the west bank, where proposals include an enhanced marina, "leisure destination" and an element of residential development to support the business and marina projects;

* St Martin's car park, where a new multi-storey car park is suggested as part of a package of measures to improve the environment and boost retail businesses, with the further possibility of re-locating the swimming and sports centre into the heart of the town;

* the indoor market and the Depository, either side of Surrey Street;

* The Green, Oyster Pond and Harbour Park, which could include a new hotel, retail and food and drink development, as part of an overall scheme to provide improved visitor and entertainment facilities, with a new pedestrian bridge over the river month as an "iconic landmark scheme".