Hastings Castle and West Hill Café project - Intention of Open Space Disposal Notification Update
The Hastings Castle and West Hill Café project is a major Town Deal investment in our town’s heritage and visitor facilities. The redevelopment will replace the old West Hill Café with a modern visitor centre and high-quality café, step free access from the West Hill Lift to the West Hill and enhance the interpretation of Hastings Castle, ensuring residents and visitors can enjoy this historic site for years to come.
The project team has undertaken extensive pre-application discussions with Hastings Borough Council Planning and Historic England, and in October hosted a community engagement event at the Observer Building to showcase the latest designs. This exhibition reflected earlier feedback from residents and stakeholders and allowed visitors to view updated plans for the visitor centre and café and view ideas for interpreting the Castle grounds. These discussions ensure the design respects the heritage significance of Hastings Castle, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, while balancing:
Heritage protection, maintaining the character and historic value of the site
Accessibility improvements, making the site easier to visit for everyone
Visitor experience, providing modern facilities, interpretation, and a welcoming café.
Through careful planning, the team now has a clear understanding of the area required for the new visitor centre and café. As the project progresses, a small part of West Hill designated Open Space (land south of and adjoining West Hill Café, Castle Hill Road) will need to be formally disposed of. This step is a legal requirement and is essential for the project to move forward. It applies only to this clearly defined area and does not affect the wider West Hill, which will remain open, green, and accessible.
Why formal open-space disposal is needed?
Before the planning application can be submitted, the council must carry out a statutory Intention of Open-Space Disposal. This standard legal process ensures the public are informed about the proposal, residents have an opportunity to comment or object, and all feedback is considered before a final decision is taken by Cabinet.
What this means for the West Hill
A small, clearly defined area of scrub southwest of the existing café is affected and marked for potential extension of the existing building - see site plan and images of the area below
The wider West Hill Open Space, including its grassed areas, paths, views, and public access, will remain unchanged and accessible.
Why this project matters
The new visitor centre and café will improve interpretation of Hastings Castle and West Hill heritage landscape, enhance accessibility including step-free access from the West Hill upper station, provide modern café and visitor facilities, and support local tourism and the wider Hastings economy, while ensuring the West Hill remains a protected and valued amenity space.
Following engagement with Natural England, the council also plans to designate the wider current Castle Hill area as a Local Nature Reserve in the future, recognising its ecological value and importance as a community green space. The proposed disposal affects only a small, defined area and would not prevent this designation, while the wider project supports long-term protection, education, and enjoyment of the site.
Next steps
A formal disposal notice will be published shortly, including maps showing the exact area and feedback will be considered before a final decision.
Updated plans and designs will accompany the planning application
We will continue to share updates on the blog and via Hastings Town Deal social media channels.
For more information on the latest consultation and designs, visit the West Hill Project community engagement page and the West Hill Project’s website.