Another step forward for the Hastings Castle and West Hill Café project
The Hastings Castle and West Hill Café project has reached another important milestone following a decision by Hastings Borough Council’s Planning Committee on 12 August.
The committee agreed to authorise the making of an Order to stop up an approximately 20-metre section of Public Footpath HAS/288/1, which runs alongside the existing West Hill Café. This section of footpath conflicts with the footprint of the proposed new visitor centre and café and needs to be addressed to enable the approved redevelopment to proceed.
Image shows section of the Public Footpath that runs alongside the West Hill Cafe site
Image shows section of the Public Footpath that runs alongside the West Hill Cafe site
The decision follows the committee’s resolution to grant planning permission for the redevelopment in July. The project, being delivered by Troika Projects, the new operators of Hastings Castle, will replace the existing West Hill Café and toilets with a new visitor centre, café and improved visitor facilities, alongside new pathways, interpretation areas, landscaping and accessibility improvements. These are key elements of the wider West Hill Project. The footpath decision is an important step, but it does not mean that the footpath is immediately stopped up. The Council must now undertake the required statutory publicity and notification process, giving people the opportunity to make objections or representations. If there are no objections, or any objections are withdrawn, the Order can then be confirmed, subject to the relevant statutory requirements. View the Public Notice here.
What does this mean for your walk?
The change: A steep, uneven 20-metre section of Footpath HAS/288/1 along the south-west edge of the West Hill café will close to allow construction of the new visitor centre
Pedestrian access: The alternative side of the loop stays fully open, ensuring uninterrupted routes across West Hill to the Lift, Castle, and viewpoints. Once complete, the project will replace the closed section with a fully accessible route to the new café and visitor centre.
The new visitor centre and café will provide improved interpretation of Hastings Castle and the West Hill heritage landscape, enhance accessibility, including step-free access from the West Hill Lift, and provide a restaurant, café and visitor facilities.
We will continue to share updates as the remaining statutory processes progress and the project moves towards construction.
For the latest information on the project, see Planning permission granted for new Hastings Castle Visitor Centre — Hastings Town Deal.
You can also find out more about the wider West Hill Project atThe West Hill Project.