Community and business leaders have signed up to plans to double the size of a shopping centre and regenerate a seaside town.

The multi-million pound agreement with the owners of the Arndale Centre in Eastbourne and Eastbourne Borough Council will create a new shopping mall with 40 outlets.

The wide-ranging regeneration proposals, unveiled by the Tory-run council last year, could also bring new jobs, housing and leisure facilities.

The regeneration the biggest in Eastbourne's history aims to lure back shoppers who have drifted to Brighton and Tunbridge Wells in the past ten years.

David Waterworth, of Arndale owners the Performance Shopping Centre Ltd, hoped expanding the shopping centre would benefit every aspect of Eastbourne.

He said: "During the coming months we will be working closely with the council to develop a scheme which will not only put Eastbourne back on the region's retail map but offer great economic, social and community benefits to the area."

Eight weeks of public consultation, involving a touring exhibition, public meetings and leaflets, resulted in 285 individual representations and almost 900 comments.

Fifty-seven per cent of respondents supported the plans and slightly more than four per cent objected outright. The remainder raised general concerns or sought clarification on how the changes would take place or affect them.

Transport and the need to improve the road infrastructure and parking were the key concerns, followed by the need for new retailers within the development, with specific shops nominated as particularly desirable.

Council leader Ian Lucas said: "The council is delighted to have made a signficant step towards delivering our vision for the regeneration of our town centre.

"It will generate a signficant number of new jobs and be a major boost for the local economy."

However, news of the agreement has provoked concern from environmentalists who believe the Arndale Centre should be demolished, not expanded.

Clive Green, of the Eastbourne Green Party, said: "This is the worst possible news for the future of retailing in our town.

"It is a huge backwards step in building a sustainable longterm economy which will attract new visitors and create meaningful new jobs."

Monday, 20 June, 2005