New Build Developments in Bognor Regis
New housing and development sites across the area
New build housing developments have been a feature of the Bognor Regis area in recent years, with several sites bringing new homes to the edges of the town and in the surrounding villages. The Arun District Local Plan identifies land for housing development to meet projected needs, and the area north and west of Bognor has seen significant building activity.
The developments range in scale from small infill sites of a dozen or so homes to larger schemes of several hundred properties. The larger developments typically include a mix of house types, from two-bedroom starter homes and terraced houses to larger detached family homes. Some also include apartments and affordable housing units, as required by planning conditions.
The area around Bersted, to the north of Bognor town centre, has seen substantial development in recent years. New estates have extended the built-up area into what was previously farmland, bringing new houses, roads and associated infrastructure. These developments provide modern, energy-efficient homes with contemporary layouts and specifications, but they also change the character of the area and increase pressure on roads, schools and health services.
Further new build sites have been developed or are planned in the villages along the A29 corridor, including Westergate and Eastergate. These sites are controversial locally, as development in previously rural areas is rarely welcomed by existing residents, regardless of the acknowledged need for new housing. The tension between housing need and community character is a constant theme in the planning process.
The prices of new build properties reflect the modern specifications, including energy-efficient construction, modern kitchens and bathrooms, and compliance with current building regulations. New builds typically command a premium over equivalent older properties, though the premium narrows as the properties age. Government schemes such as Help to Buy, where available, have helped some first-time buyers access new build properties that would otherwise be beyond their reach.
For buyers considering a new build, the advantages include modern construction, energy efficiency, builder warranties and the absence of a chain. The disadvantages include the premium pricing, the typically smaller room sizes compared with older properties, the sometimes sparse landscaping of new estates and the ongoing construction that can affect early residents of a phased development.
The quality of new build construction has been a national concern, with reports of snagging issues, poor finishes and structural problems affecting some developments. Buyers should research the developer's reputation, check the NHBC or equivalent warranty arrangements and be prepared to create a thorough snagging list on completion.
The broader question of how much new housing the Bognor area should accommodate is a political and planning issue that generates strong feelings. The area needs new homes to house its growing population and to provide affordable options for younger residents. But development on greenfield land changes the landscape, increases traffic and puts pressure on infrastructure. Finding the right balance is the challenge that the planning system is designed, imperfectly, to address.
For buyers weighing a new build against an older property, the decision often comes down to priorities. The new build offers certainty, efficiency and modern standards. The older property offers character, larger rooms and an established setting. Both have their merits, and the Bognor area offers enough of both to give buyers a genuine choice based on their own preferences and budget.