Sunken Gardens

May 2023

The improvement works are almost complete and the gardens will soon be re-opened for the public to enjoy.  The recently laid wildflower turf is already starting to bloom, and new shrub planting is being laid out around the play area and main gardens. Temporary fencing will protect the planting while this establishes.  Planting for the central bed in memory of Kim Davis will be completed at a later date. Our officers are working with the Bognor Regis Community Gardeners and Kim’s family on plans for this.

The tarmac footpath works are complete and the final stage will see brightly coloured safety surfacing laid in the play area. The contractor is aiming to reopen the main gardens soon and  the opening of the play area will follow. The newly installed equipment needs to be checked by an external safety inspector before this can happen. 

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The contractor is working to co-ordinate the final phase of the project. Installation of the equipment in the play area is nearing completion and the laying of new colourful safety surfacing within the play area will take place, once the new play fence installation is complete. The refurbishment of the existing footpaths and wall repairs will then be finished off and the beds around the gardens are being prepared for planting. 

Wildflower turf has been laid on mounds on the eastern side, as part of the sensory gardens. The mounds have been formed from soil excavated from other parts of the site and low fertility topsoil has been used to help prevent the meadows being dominated by grasses and weeds. Spring flowering bulbs will be planted in the autumn to extend the period of interest and provide nectar for insects. The meadow will be cut down at the end of every summer so it can start afresh the following year. This helps reduce the fertility and keeps the meadow healthy.

Timber animal sculptures will be installed in the sensory gardens in the summer, as part of a trail for children.

Results of a public poll on Facebook to see which 5 sculptures people want to see created are listed below:

1. Fox
2. Rabbit
3. Seal
4. Badger
5. Star Fish

Simon Groves, local sculpture artist, has been asked to create the timber animals.

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January 2023

Blakedown Landscapes commenced their work at the Sunken Gardens on 9 January 2023. With the site completely secured with fencing their first focus has been on opening up the new southern entrance. 

In spite of the recent cold weather Blakedown have made great progress with forming the correct levels for the ramped footpaths and grading soil in the adjacent shrub beds. Two low sections of stone wall have been reconstructed as these were found to be sitting on top of steps identified for removal.

Benches from the lower section of the gardens have been removed for refurbishment and new benches have been ordered for the upper areas. The contractor has also undertaken clearance works in other parts of the site in preparation for the next stage of the project. As much material as possible is being reused on site to minimise waste.

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December 2022

Blakedown Landscapes SE Ltd. has been appointed as the contractor for the Sunken Gardens project and is due to commence the works week commencing 9 January 2023. Blakedown will generally be working between the hours of 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday, with the project expected to take approximately 4 months to complete.  

The contractors will be accessing the site from Hothamton car park and will have a small compound located north of the play area. The early works will require the whole site to be closed to the public but as different areas are completed, they will be reopened.

17 November 2022

Funding boost for Sunken Gardens renovation project

10 March 2022

Phase 1: Tree works March 2022

• routine maintenance of trees in poor condition
• encourage the better quality trees to flourish
• to manage existing trees, open up views and improve the sense of security
• embrace opportunities to establish new planting for the future

Next phase: main works summer 2022

11 February 2022

Sunken Gardens public consultation results revealed

The below PDF shows a concept design for the Sunken Gardens:

Sunken Gardens Concept Plan [pdf] 2MB

If you cannot open the PDF, you can view the image by selecting the thumbnail below. The text in the image has been written out below it.

Play area

1. Recessed entrance points with directional signage
2. 1m high railings with 2no. gates to replace existing wall
3. More accessible play equipment including roundabout, basket swing and in-ground trampoline
4. Existing play equipment retained
5. Existing play trail equipment re-located
6. Replacement toddler play equipment
7. Explorer area with boulders and tree stumps
8. Replacement benches
9. Areas of planting to break up hard surfacing
10. Striped safety surfacing based on beach theme
11. Tiled mosaics of coastal towns from original Pavilion Gardens

Sunken Gardens

12. Sand and re-paint railings
13. Replacement planting of poorer quality trees
14. Low-growing ornamental planting to centre with year-round interest. Potential for central sculpture feature in future
15. Low-growing clipped hedge to improve views through the Sunken Gardens
16. Replacement benches throughout
17. New access point

Sensory Gardens

18. Naturalised planting on mounded areas re-using soil excavated from southern entrance
19. Minor repairs to damaged wall
20. Small number of sensory play elements, accessible from main path

Southern Entrance

21. Allowance to remove sections of wall, improving visibility and sightlines
22. Remove small number of trees to open up views into the site from all sides
23. New southern entrance with ramped access and minor repairs to coping

You can read a summary of the consultation results here:

Sunken Gardens Summary of public consultation results [pdf] 2MB

[Sunken Gardens Summary of public consultation results HTML version]