Seafront operator wins longer hours

Mr Pharo received planning permission to vary the operating conditions for his site opposite Lennox Street.

The decision by Arun District Council's development control committee last week means he can open between 10am and 9pm every day of the week.

He can also put up a bouncy castle, slide or other activity up to a maximum 7.2m tall and operate between March 1 and October 31 in future years

The previous conditions were imposed when permission for the amusement rides was granted by the council in May 1996. They limited Mr Pharo to closing at 6pm each night, having low attractions and being unable to open for the tourism season until April 1 to mean missing out on early Easters.

Cllr ian Harding (Bognor Marine) said the site's opening hours were shorter than any other seafront concession. This caused confusion and misunderstanding among visitors.

"The facility is well run and always kept clean and presentable," he stated.

Cllr Martin Lury welcomed the changes. "To have parity of hours along the seafront makes a lot of sense, though if we had 50/60 objections to it we would have a lot of problems.

"That particular area of the seafront is quite vibrant. We might have some difficulty if the opening was to be extended to 11pm but 9pm is all right because it is almost light until then now," he explained.

Cllr Sylvia Olliver (Bersted) stated: "I know the operator does speak to the people in the flats opposite before he does anything like this. He is very responsible. Therefore, I support this."

One letter of protest to Mr Pharo's application was received objecting to the dodgem cars he operated in the area last year. The individual also wanted the maximum height of the ride to be lowered. Another individual was generally happy with the proposal but wanted the height to be 5m at most.

Council planning officer Keith Wheway said the bouncy castle, at 7.2m tall, was the only structure which would be over 4m.

"It is not considered that this one piece of equipment at this height would have an adverse impact on the visual amenities of the area," he told the committee.