SEEDA - Mixed-Use Development - Hastings & Bexhill

Date: 25 Mar 2002

Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, Lord Falconer of Thoroton QC, has given the go-ahead to a major regeneration package for the Hastings and Bexhill area. The Hastings & Bexhill Task Force met the Minister in his London office to hear the good news.

The Task Force, led by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) alongside three local authorities - Hastings Borough Council, Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council - has been working up its five-point regeneration package since last Autumn.

The firm Government financial commitment follows two previous meetings and a visit to the area by Lord Falconer. The promise of funds will help to transform the lives of local people - Hastings contains almost 10% of the South East's 119 most deprived wards (as measured by the Multiple Index of Deprivation) - and more than a quarter of the people of Hastings live in
these wards.

Lord Falconer said: "The Five-Point Plan is a real opportunity for the successful regeneration of Hastings and Bexhill.

"It promises to be an important example of best practice making a real difference to people's lives in seaside across the country. The Plan provides the prospect of new jobs for local people and a dramatic
improvement in the quality of life.
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"It also shows how SEEDA can integrate support from within Whitehall with the public and private sectors to enable a £400 million development package of complementary initiatives."

The resources promised by Lord Falconer are initially for the first three years, which will allow the Task Force programme to get underway. Over the next eight to ten years, a total of public money of more than £125 million has been committed. This involves 'joining up' Government assistance and funding from six Departments:

* Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR)
* Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
* Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
* Department of Education and Skills (DfES)
* Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
* Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

"Today marks the successful conclusion of six months of great activity," said SEEDA Chief Executive, Anthony Dunnett.

"The support of Ministers heralds the start of a new era for Hastings and Bexhill. We have passed a
key milestone, but now the real work starts, turning our aspirations into reality. SEEDA is committed to rolling up its sleeves and working with local partners. Over the next few weeks, residents will see signs of progress already underway, but people should appreciate that some of the changes will take time to be seen on the ground."

"SEEDA staff are working closely alongside local authority staff, councillors and other local organisations from an office in Hastings to ensure the delivery of this work can happen quickly and appropriately," he continued. "I would like to personally pay tribute to the leaders of the three councils involved for their leadership and the commitment they have shown. The success of the project so far is due to the close working relationship they have established and the personal time and resources they have committed."
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The Task Force's Five Point Plan identified key areas of change that would stimulate the area. Within these areas, local residents can expect to see the following change:

* First university centre buildings bought and redevelopment and refurbishment started before September 2002
* New students at the university from September 2003. The university centre, which will be under the wing of the University of Brighton, will specialise in art and design, IT and business courses - helping to build on the already existing skills in the towns. This will provide education for 2,000 students within three to five years
* New business centre bought, with refurbishment starting in July 2002
* Enterprise Gateway to opened early 2003 - designed to support new and small businesses in the local area
* 'Incubator' facilities for new companies up and running by September 2003
* Task Group of all key local stakeholders established in April to determine a delivery plan to roll out broadband - identifying local needs and local opportunities. The intention is that every business, every school and
resident will be able to have broadband access, either directly or near to their homes or places of work - making Hastings and Bexhill the country's first E-Community
* New Learn Direct Centre and e-learning courses from September 2002
* 'Shop Front' centre opened in Hastings town centre to showcase benefits of broadband before the end of 2002
* 50 satellite linkages to key businesses and community locations across
Hastings and Rother by September 2002 for those areas that which can not be accessed by ADSL or fibre connections
* Three key sites in Hastings and Bexhill bought and redevelopment plans started in Summer 2002
* Work will start on site by the late Summer on a new £500,000 community centre in the Ore Valley
* Refurbishment will commence on a £2million plus programme of housing improvements in the Ore Valley by Spring 2003
* Seafront environmental improvements to start Autumn 2002
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* Results issued of detailed review of transport solutions between Bexhill and Hastings from South Coast Multi Modal Study in October 2002

International master planners MBM are working on a master plan for Hastings and Bexhill, fleshing out the concepts within the Five-Point Plan and indicating where best to locate key developments. When completed, the master plan will be taken to the residents of Hastings and Bexhill for their
comments to enable them to input into the new vision for the towns.

Environmental consultants ENTEC have conducted initial 'stakeholder' workshops and consultation and are currently preparing a report to advise on how best to include the local people in the ongoing work and developments.
ENTEC's recommendations will be in addition to consultation already planned for and to be conducted by Councils on key projects.

Michael Foster, M.P. for Hastings said: "Many of us there were disappointed by the by pass decision but what's now on offer will do so much more. And
it's not just about the long term future - many of the proposals are for the 'here and now'."

Gregory Barker, M.P. for Battle and Bexhill said: "This package is a major step towards a prosperous, sustainable future for our area. I am confident that Bexhill and Rother can rise to the challenge."

Cllr. Jeremy Birch, Leader of Hastings Council, added: "This package is regeneration in a different way, for the 21st century. Education and learning is at the heart of it; it's about re-utilising our unused buildings and land; and its about sustainable transport options. I want a revitalised Hastings to be an example of how a town can run differently, for the benefit of everyone."

Cllr. Graham Gubby, Leader of Rother District Council said: "I am delighted with the response Lord Falconer has given to our representations. However, this is only the start of a programme of work to regenerate Rother and Hastings. Much needs to be done to improve the transport infrastructure, provide for business regeneration, and improve the quality of life for all
our residents."

Cllr. Peter Jones, Leader for East Sussex County Council, said: "I am very pleased with the outcome of the partnership's work and the support it is receiving from Government. The establishment of a new university is a key objective of the new Administration at East Sussex and I'm delighted that funding should be available for its delivery in the early part of the Hastings & Bexhill partnership plans."

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