St Modwen, the developer behind the proposed £100m regeneration of Bognor Regis, West Sussex, has been granted permission to put the scheme on hold for three years due to the economic downturn.

Arun District Council approved a request from the company to delay the submission of a planning application for the project until the property market improves, although all other elements of the scheme will remain the same. Initial plans for the town's regeneration include a new entertainment centre on the Regis Centre site, which will be operated by Openwide International and is set to include space for live performance, film, music and conference facilities.

A bowling alley, restaurants, cafés and an expanded library are earmarked for the Regis Centre site, while the Hothamton site will see the creation of 25,000sq ft (2,323sq m) of office space. Residential and retail developments will also feature among the plans. However, Tim Seddon, London and South East regional director for St Modwen, said: "The situation in Bognor Regis remains positive as both Arun District Council and St Modwen seek to preserve their joint vision for the town centre, which was enshrined in the development agreement.

"At the end of last year, the Council called for a complete review of the proposed regeneration projects for the town and that has now been completed. They have subsequently agreed to defer the submission of a planning application for a period of up to three years. "Both parties expect that by this time, the property market and wider economy will be that much stronger than it is today to allow the scheme to be pushed forward. All other terms of the Agreement remain unaltered."