The Bognor Heritage Hub
A proposal by Bognorians for Bognorians to create a unique and lasting legacy.
The Bognor Heritage Boards project is a vibrant, community-led initiative creating a "lasting legacy" for the town through an accessible open-air museum. Guided by the ethos of "Many voices, one town," the project transforms the local landscape with high-quality, modern boards that blend community-sourced artwork with deep historical research—spanning from prehistoric and Roman remains to the town's first recorded Saxon settlement in 680 AD, through to modern youth culture and our shared future.
While originally conceived as a cornerstone of the wider Wayfinding Scheme, the project has evolved into a resilient, grassroots movement. By partnering directly with local businesses and community groups, the initiative is delivering these interactive cultural assets "one by one," ensuring Bognor’s rich story is celebrated and preserved for residents and visitors alike.
LATEST NEWS
Tue 28 Apr 26
BRIEFING: Bognor Heritage Boards Project – Update
1. Executive Summary
This briefing provides an update on the Bognor Heritage Boards initiative following recent correspondence between Creative Bognor and Arun District Council (ADC) leadership. While the directional "Wayfinding" infrastructure is complete, the interpretive heritage component is transitioning from a Council-led project to a community-independent delivery model.
2. Recent Developments (April 2026)
On Sunday, 26 April, the Project Community Co-ordinator submitted a formal request to the Chief Executive for a resolution meeting. The intent was to find a "clean slate" solution to the administrative impasse that has affected the project since July 2025.
Key points from the proposal:
- Alternative Delivery: A suggestion to explore new locations for the boards to bypass previous local objections.
- Partnership Focus: A proposal to work in conjunction with the Bognor Regis Heritage Trails Partnership.
- Administrative Impasse: The co-ordinator noted that Section 40 redactions in formal correspondence have made it difficult to resolve specific objections through standard administrative channels.
3. Formal Council Response
As of 27 April 2026, the Council, via the Director of Growth, has declined the request for a resolution meeting. The Council's position is defined by:
- Capacity Constraints: A stated lack of current administrative capacity to oversee further heritage projects until existing work programmes are finalised.
- Recognition of Success: Acknowledgment that the associated arts project on the Waterloo Square hoardings has been well-received by the public, though the Council views this as a completed phase of work.
4. Revised Implementation Strategy
In light of the Council’s current focus on existing programmes, Creative Bognor has announced a revised delivery strategy to ensure the town does not lose these cultural assets:
- "One by One" Rollout: The project will move forward by partnering directly with local businesses and community organisations.
- Private Sector Collaboration: By securing private sites and funding, the boards will be installed independently of the Council’s administrative framework.
- Commitment to Transparency: All correspondence regarding the project's evolution has been made public to keep the community informed of the project’s transition.
5. Conclusion
The Bognor Heritage Boards project remains active but has shifted its operational model. While the Council is not currently in a position to provide administrative support, the initiative continues to move forward as a community-led endeavour. This ensures that Bognor’s history remains accessible to the public through alternative local partnerships.
Mon 27 Apr 26
Statement: The Bognor Heritage Boards Project – An Update on Progress
“Many voices, one town”
Creative Bognor is committed to delivering high-quality cultural assets that celebrate our town’s unique history. For the past year, we have been working to bring a series of Heritage Boards to Bognor Regis—a project previously supported by the Arun District Council (ADC) Economic Development team.
Despite the merits of and support for the initiative, the project has not made as much headway as we would’ve hoped.
We believe Bognor’s history belongs to the people.
The Current Situation
Despite initial momentum and a clear Method Statement (July 2025), the project has reached a standstill. This deadlock follows a "letter of objection" from a local organisation.
While we respect the right to feedback, our efforts to understand and resolve these objections have been hampered by administrative redactions.
Our Attempt at Resolution
In an effort to move past paperwork and find a "clean slate" solution, we recently reached out to the Chief Executive of Arun District Council, as well as the Leader of the Council and the Chair of the Economy Committee.
Our goal was simple: To request a brief meeting to find a constructive way forward—potentially involving alternative locations or new partnerships—to ensure the town is not deprived of this cultural asset.
The Response
The Council’s formal response (provided via the Director of Growth) has declined the request for a meeting, citing a lack of current administrative capacity to pursue further projects until existing programmes are completed.
While we understand the pressures of local government, we believe it is important for the community to see the correspondence regarding this public project. Transparency is vital when a supported initiative that celebrates our local heritage is halted behind closed doors.
Correspondence Record
We believe the record speaks for itself. You can view the formal request for a resolution and the Council’s response below.
What’s Next?
Creative Bognor remains ready and willing to collaborate. We have offered a "path that allows the heritage board initiative to be pursued positively for the public and the District Council. We hope that, in time, the Council will revisit this opportunity to celebrate Bognor’s history in a way that serves the entire community.
While we await the Council’s capacity to re-engage, Creative Bognor will not allow this project to remain in deadlock. We are moving forward by partnering directly with local businesses and community groups to deliver these boards one by one. We believe Bognor’s history belongs to the people, and we are going to ensure it is told.
Please contact us if you would like to collaborate on this project
John Parsons Project Community Co-ordinator, Creative Bognor
Mon 27 April 26
Dear Mr Parsons,
Thank you for email to Dawn Hudd, CEO re the above. She has asked me to respond on her behalf.
As you will be aware the Waterloo Square project was a specific response to a particular problem, namely the appearance of this vacant site.
At the time of writing we don't have any specific sites where we are definitely going to be taking the same approach and we are not looking to develop any further new projects until we have completed or substantially completed a number of the projects we already have on the go.
Should that position change then we will consider what opportunities exist to supplement any new projects.
Regards
Karl Roberts
Director of Growth
Arun District Council
Sun 26 Apr 26
Email to: Dawn Hudd, Chief Executive, Arun District Council
cc cllr.roger.nash@arun.gov.uk ;cllr.martin.lury@arun.gov.uk
Subject: Resolution Request – Bognor Heritage Boards Project
Dear Ms. Hudd,
I am writing to you regarding the Bognor Heritage Boards, a project that was previously supported by the Council’s Economic Development team (as per the Method Statement dated July 11, 2025).
As you are aware, this project has stalled following a "letter of objection." While I have attempted to resolve this through the formal complaint and SAR processes, the use of Section 40 redactions has prevented me from addressing the specific substance of these objections.
I do realise that the arts project on the hoardings at Waterloo Square has now been completed for some time – and has gone down very well in the town.
However, this work does not fully encapsulate the broader scope of the heritage boards project, which still remains relevant and I believe still has much support locally.
It might be worth considering alternative locations for the broader project, maybe in conjunction with the Bognor Regis Heritage Trails Partnership.
I am concerned that the current deadlock, caused by the communications of a few individuals, is depriving the town of a significant cultural asset. I am writing to ask for a short face-to-face meeting with you and/or Councillors Nash and Lury to discuss a constructive way forward.
My goal is not to re-litigate past correspondence, but to find a path that allows the heritage board initiative to be pursued positively for the public and the District Council.
I believe a direct conversation would be more productive than continuing down a path of formal administrative or legal processes, which would only further delay the project.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
John Parsons Project Community Co-ordinator,
Link to Method-statement of July 11, 2025
Note: Section 40 refers to Data Protection exemptions used to hide names/identities in FOI/SAR requests.
Sun 20 Jul 25
Update
I have been notified by Arun District Council that they are not able to continue supporting this initiative because they have received a letter of objection.
I have written to the Chief Executive asking for clarification.
I will keep you informed of any updates.
In the meantime, thank you for your continued interest in the project.
John Parsons
Response from Arun District Council 25 August 2025
Bognor Regis Heritage Boards
Dear Mr Parsons
Thank you for your email to the Council’s Chief Executive following your recent DSAR request. She has asked me to respond.
As your email expresses your dissatisfaction about the actions of the Council, this has been considered as a stage 1 complaint under the Council’s feedback and complaints policy.
In very simple terms the Council was working to a relatively tight timetable with the Heritage Board project and did not have the time or resources to explore the matters that were being raised, neither did it wish to become embroiled in any dispute that may (or may not) exist between other parties. As previously explained to you the Council has no desire to become involved in any local tensions regarding the legitimacy to operate under such a banner. Hence why we have decided to step away and pursue our own course for the moment.
The Council has not expressed any view on what has been said by any third party in email correspondence, instead the Council has taken up the option to develop this project with a different third party which is its right.
The Council will not be changing this position and going forward there is no desire from the Council’s perspective to become involved in local disputes and our decisions will be informed in part by that objective.
If you are not satisfied with my response, then you have the right to take your complaint through to stage 2 of our feedback and complaints policy. You have 28 days from the date of the stage 1 response to request an escalation to infomanagement@arun.gov.uk.
Finally, with regard to your other emails to me directly I have noted the changes you have made to your proposals which are helpful. If the opportunity arises in the future to consider how we might make positive use of your project then we will be in contact.
Yours sincerely
Karl Roberts
Director of Growth
Contact us
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