Old Bathing Pool Site – West Marina
Meeting at Royal Victoria Hotel
26th January 2016
A number of questions were asked by the people present at the meeting. These were answered by the consultant Carter Jonas and the Council.
Q Why does the development site stop at the beach? Make it a destination. Why not a marina? Or a slipway?
Marina’s are very complicated, a number of marina locations have been looked at along the south coast – many are not viable. Locally, we are affected by drifting beach & shingle movement. There isn’t a natural cove to help create a natural marina.
A study has been previously undertaken for a slipway – which showed this was also not viable at the time.
Needs looking at again – it’s cheaper to moor in Eastbourne Marina than it is to pull up on the beach in Hastings.
Q is the scheme being developed to make money for the Council?
Any development will be cost neural but if at all possible, create a revenue from the site for the Council
Q If the Council isn’t looking to make money then why not turn it into a park rather than building more housing?
This could be considered but it would still cost money.
Q What is the objective of developing the site? Draw people along the seafront? Draw people to Hastings? Or develop a housing estate?
Looking for regeneration of the site – draw people to this part of the town.
Q Are there not restrictions on the site – didn’t the vendor stipulate the site should be kept for recreational use?
The Council is not aware of any restrictions on the site.
Q I am aware of most of the plans that have been put forward for the site over the last 20 years. Why now? Why not the Stamco site?
The Local Plan has been approved which includes this site. There have been a number of proposals over time, which have failed due to the low land values; this has now changed as land values are going up. But, if it proves not to be the case now then the site doesn’t have to be developed now.
Q Why not extend the recreational use of the site now- provide more huts, landscaping? Why not look to other brownfield sites for development?
Q the time specified to walk from stations is not accurate. We want to attract people along the seafront – need more public transport – hop on/hop off bus?
Q Isn’t Seaside Road Crown land below the bathing pool site?
No the Council owns the land.
Q If the Council owns the land why does it not deal with caravans that park up and campervans ion the area?
ESCC – manage and deal with the highway issues including illegal parking. HBC is looking at parking restrictions to help stop long term/ overnight parking of caravans/campervans.
Q With regard to the ideas for the land and the economics of the site - how much money will be raised from housing and how will that be spent in terms of leisure?
It will depend on what comes forward. In 2009 – the scheme proposal was backed by millions in public funding – since then costs for developing the site have gone up – flooding issues have increased – creating additional costs, residential land values are about 5% higher in Hastings then before the crash in 2008.
Q What’s being considered about parking and access? Bexhill Road residents already park on Seaside Road - where is the parking going to be – in the height of the summer and events there is no parking?
We will look at underground parking possibilities but will need to consider flooding issues.
Q Where will existing leisure users go to and the residents of the area if the site is developed?
Q Why not develop the Stamco site and TA area?
The Council does not own the land in these areas – we can only develop on what we own. Land banking is a problem in parts of the town where developers have bought land and then don’t develop it straight away.
Can’t you CPO the land? Make the land owners develop it?
Q I am against the development of the site as suggested – I have visited the site every day for an hour this week – is fully utilised by the community now. Need a compromise – a smaller development and recreational – with all year round site use, jobs for local people - balance housing and recreation.
Q At Rock a Nore – we have Hastings Yacht Club – developed and built by volunteers. Couldn’t we develop a dry marina in this area – sailing and boats etc. – would be an attraction.
Q If only have one developer on the site – is there a risk - going along with one developers agenda – delivering 120 units as part of the Local Plan. If the Council has fiscal responsibility to develop the site – won’t it insist on 120 units? Will there be any consultation?
We want a developer partner for the site,to retain control of the site and to emphasise that there doesn’t have to be 120 units on the site. There are currently no plans for the site beyond testing the market viability of the site. Doing nothing is also an option.
Q Will you put the site out to competition with architects and then find the best developers?
That could be a possibility. The Council will first look to soft test the market to understand developers’ appetite and idea for the site.
Q Offering a bus that travels from the old town to West St Leonards would help to make it a destination. Encourage visitors to get off the train at West St Leonards & warrior Square Station.
Q Transport is an issue – there used to be West Marina Station – bus links are very poor between the town and West St Leonards – there are no buses after 7pm. (NB West Marina station was closed in 1967)
West St Leonards area is already very well used – nice beach, open space, parking, families come and spend the whole day – not under pressure to spend money, wind surfers all year round – would housing attract visitors to the area? It’s attractive now.
Q Counter balance to the Stade – similar site to the Stade – could we have a heritage based development e.g. museum – and large open space – leverage in funding – EU/Lottery finding?
Leisure development is a good idea – if someone wanted to do this. HBC would like to see a multifunctional leisure facility – but how would it be funded?
Q is there an alternative site for housing development – e.g. Eversfield?
HBC doesn’t own this site – so can’t develop it.
HBC not enforcing the housing numbers and would like to see leisure facility – if an idea came forward that was not housing and worked – it will be considered.