'Butlins in Pagham' fears at park plan

Last week they met Bognor MP Nick Gibb to voice their concerns over proposals to enlarge the 900-strong caravan park and family holiday centre which is owned by Bourne Leisure '“ owners of Butlins Resorts.

So far, more than 200 residents have written to Arun District Council objecting to the 5m scheme for Church Farm Holiday Park on Pagham Road.

Proposals include forming a new entrance to the park, a glazed walkway and a new flume to the swimming complex. It also wants to alter the shop within the park, which is a listed building.

Last week Mr Gibb met residents in Church Lane to discuss their concerns about the proposed development at Church Farm.

'I am concerned about any development that might be out of keeping in Pagham. This is an historic area close to a protected nature reserve and great care, therefore, needs to be taken when planning new projects."

Geoffrey Ide, a member of the Pagham Action Group which is fighting the plans spoke to the Bognor Observer about the fears of residents.

'In all the years I have been here, there have never been any consultations with residents about proposals for the site and that's what I object to,' he declared.

He said that residents had been angered by the lack of information about the plans. The first many of them knewing about the plans, was when they read an orange planning notice placed on the north boundary of the site.

'We haven't been informed by Arun District Council about the plans and there should have been more information given to residents,' he added

The biggest opposition is to proposals to erect a four-storey-high flume, similar to one on its Bognor site.

Mr Ide said: 'It will be an eyesore.'

Residents, he said, were also worried about the noise levels it would create.

And he said that there were great concerns over the late night noise from the dance hall on the caravan park.

This week Keith Wheway, principal planning officer at Arun District Council, said it had received amended plans for the scheme which is not likely to be debated by planners until the end of November.