Leisure

Arun District Council in its published priorities for 2005-2009, states that it will seek to achieve “redevelopment of the West Bank in Littlehampton and a vibrant harbour and its environs”.

With much of its commercial shipping gone, the harbour has to adapt quickly and focus on leisure and recreation use, building upon established facilities.

The harbour at Littlehampton is one of Arun’s best natural assets. It is now time to create new harbour related employment opportunities – associated with leisure rather than commercial/industrial activities.

A leisure marina at Littlehampton would stimulate higher spending tourism along with leisure based employment in the West Bank leisure area, with associated retail opportunities. restaurants, outlet stores, gift shops, chandleries etc. would all become viable by pooling the combined spending power of a new development at Ford, the existing settlement at Littlehampton and tourists.

This presents a unique opportunity for the Marina combined with the Golf Club, and the West Beach (one of the finest beaches along the south coast) to create a diverse leisure area on the edge of Littlehampton and close to a new development at Ford, with easy access to the East Bank development, adding balance to both sides of the river.

Proximity to the proposed South Downs AONB (proposed National Park), with river/towpath walks, footpaths, existing and potential cycleways and bridleways, along with FEH’s proposed link between South Downs and Coast all contribute to the viability of such a leisure area.

Other leisure facilities in Littlehampton, Bognor and Arundel – cinemas, theatres, swimming pools, bowling and skating facilities together with enhanced sports areas would support, and receive support from, the marina.

It is unlikely that a marina at Bognor can be delivered, whereas a leisure marina at Littlehampton is far more easily deliverable. It would be better to channel funding and effort into expansion of the existing river based Littlehampton marina.

Page last edited: 13/12/2007