Key sites update in Hastings
Hastings Town Centre Regeneration
In December 2022, Homes England and Hastings Borough Council commissioned Lambert Smith Hampton and Tibbalds to review and advise on the market potential for regeneration of Hastings Town Centre, to understand the opportunities for delivering new homes, commercial leisure and cultural facilities. As part of this work, the consultants produced a report outlining their recommended next steps which is set out below:
This report grouped the next steps and actions into five broad themes:
Developing a Strategic Regeneration & Investment Framework (SRIF) that encompasses the whole of the Hastings town centre area
Establishing Leadership and Governance Structures – a ‘task force’
Community and stakeholder engagement
Capacity Support
Viability and Delivery
This work is being progressed at the moment and will encompass public consultation and various exercises and is due for completion in 2024.
Station Plaza – Station Yard
Situated at the corner of South Terrace and Devonshire Road, this area of the Station Plaza has been vacant since the construction of the college, healthcare centre and car park in 2010. Planning application for 3 residential blocks was granted in 2008. Hastings Borough Council has engaged with the new owners of the site, Purple Pepper Homes and work has started on the construction of 103 quality 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments, with associated amenity space, car parking and bicycle storage.
Completion is targeted for Spring 2025.
Image supplied by Purple Pepper Partnership Ltd
Former Brighton University Building, Priory Square Building
Located within the Priory Square Quarter, the former University of Brighton building was completed in 2013 and comprises the original 1930’s Post Office building fronting Cambridge Road, the building has been vacant since 2019. The building was sold to new owners, Stonegate Homes, in December 2023. A planning application has been submitted for Change of Use to 42 residential dwellings and commercial Space in May 2023 and can be viewed here.
Planning has been approved and we are awaiting further details regarding build-out of the units.
Priory Street Car Park
Early studies of the Priory Street Car Park showed the need for wider consideration of plans for the town centre. This work comes from progressing the Town Investment Plan Town Centre Core Projects. Some concept proposals were developed for the site but the development costs were significantly prohibitive leading to the funding for the project being re-allocated to the public realm and green connections project to boost investment. This is being considered as part of the Town Centre Regeneration plans.
Queensbury House
Situated opposite Hastings station, this vacant building was sold at auction to Dorchester Estates in 2023. Permitted development rights which were granted in 2021 for proposed change of use from office space to 89 self-contained one-bedroom studio flats with cycle spaces and use of basement as refuse area, has now expired. The current developers submitted a commencement notice and planning application to redesign the elevations in March 2024. Details can be viewed here.
We understand that developers are currently considering alternative design for the building.
Former Debenhams Building
A press release was issued by the owners of the building, Moxie Management Two in October 2024, providing an update on hopes for the future of the building Hastings Debenhams site owner reveals hopes for future of site. Moxie confirmed they are committed to staying in Hastings and are working hard to find a new use for the ground, first and second floors of the building.
The building is being advertised for let with a local agent and the council are working closely with Moxie with the intention to bring the vacated floors back into use. Further updates will be published when available.