The West Hill Project Team Hosts Community Engagement Event to Showcase New Designs

Photos courtesy of Euan Baker

On Saturday, 18 October, the team behind The West Hill Project, Troika Projects, hosted a well-attended community engagement event at the Observer Building to share the latest updates on plans for Hastings Castle and the West Hill Café.

The exhibition showcased the design teams’ latest proposals and vision for transforming the Hastings Castle site and West Hill Café into a visitor centre and restaurant – part of the Town Deal funded programme.

Following the previous engagement event held in March this year, the updated designs reflect feedback from Hastings Borough Council’s Planning Department, Historic England, and the local community, gathered during the pre-application stage.  

The team also showcased emerging ideas around interpretation within the Castle grounds, the new visitor centre and the wider site, aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and celebrating the site’s historic significance.  

You can view the latest designs below and also find more details including the project timeline, on the West Hill Project website.

Also in attendance were Marks Barfield Architects, who presented their plans for assessing the current infrastructure of the West Hill Lift and pedestrian route known locally as the “100 steps”. Marks Barfield, along with Castria, LECS and Gardiner & Theobold, have been appointed by the council to carry out an initial feasibility study, supported by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. More details on the West Hill Lift Project can be viewed here.

Cllr Hilton, Deputy Leader of Hastings Borough Council and lead councillor for shaping places and local government reorganisation, said: “It was great to see so many members of our local community observing and offering feedback on the latest designs. Marks Barfield Architects shared an engaging plan for the feasibility study aimed at preserving the heritage of the West Hill Lift and I’m excited to see the next phase.”

The redevelopment of the Castle and West Hill Café site is poised to be a cornerstone of Hastings’ Town Fund Programme, blending history with modern amenities to create a vibrant, engaging space for all with an immersive interpretation centre that celebrates the rich history of Hastings Castle.

For more details on the Hastings Castle and West Hill Café project, visit the project page and for updates on The West Hill Project visit The West Hill Project website and sign up to their newsletter.