Town Centre Core project update
Urban Regeneration, Planning & Land Use; Local Transport
(please note this now forms part of the Hastings Town Centre Regeneration project)
Project Description
The original Town Centre Core project identified in the Town Investment Plan was proposed in 2019. Since then, we have had the Covid Pandemic, the economic crisis and financial challenges being faced by many local authorities.
This led to project changes and the re-allocation of funding that was originally envisaged under the Town Centre Core programme. Some of the funds were used to bring the former Debenhams building and the former New Look building back into use. All this was done with the approval of the Town Deal Board and the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities back in 2022.
Remaining funds unspent have been diverted towards delivering the Public Realm and Green Connections project.
Project Justification
Hastings Town Centre Regeneration project: Hastings town centre covers around 550 non-residential public and private premises including shops, offices, libraries, educational institutions and municipal buildings, all set within a square mile. It is the physical, economic and social ‘heart’ of Hastings, sustaining more than 20% of the town’s jobs (c. 6,000 jobs). It is home to our shopping centre, business and cultural quarter, residential, transport hub, hotels and the pier. These are all within walking distance of each other.
Hastings Town Centre Regeneration and work with Homes England
Over the past two years, Hastings Borough Council and Homes England have collaborated on regenerating the town centre, focusing on the area around Hastings Station. Two reports produced in 2023, "Hastings Station Gateway Key Findings" and "Hastings Station Gateway Market Review," assessed opportunities and outlined next steps, highlighting the need for public investment.
In 2024, baseline reports were produced to evaluate market conditions, engage with developers, identify opportunity sites, and address land assembly challenges. The reports aim to provide a comprehensive assessment, identify regeneration sites, and develop a strategic framework for investment. Following on from this assessment work, the council with funding support from Homes England, Hastings Borough Council has appointed a consultant team 31 Ten Consulting to support the council to develop plans to regenerate the town centre, focussing around the empty and underutilised buildings and spaces on Priory Street/Cornwallis Street.
The new phase specifically aims to:
· Assess the council’s priorities and strategic ambitions.
· Evaluate the financial viability of potential schemes.
· Gauge owner and developer interest through active negotiations.
· Identify any funding gaps.
· Explore implementation options and potential development and delivery models.
Importantly, this work will provide Hastings Borough Council with clear direction, recommendations, and next steps for the development of the site. This phase of the project is due to complete in Summer 2025.
Regular updates will be provided to the Town Deal Board and published with meeting minutes.