Protest over bathing pool site plans called for early Saturday

Copy of the letter sent by West Marina Group to the parliamentary candidates on 20 November

Dear General Election Candidate

The development of the old bathing pool site

On behalf of the West Marina Group I am writing to you – and our other parliamentary candidates – to ask for your support in our opposition to the Council’s plans for the old bathing pool site in West St Leonards.

You are probably aware that the Council has announced that a transfer of this land to a developer is imminent, heads of terms having been agreed, and that the proposal is to allow up to 152 housing units to be built on the site.

While the proposed sale has been confirmed the precise details of the developer’s scheme have yet to be released. The Council has received draft plans but at the request of the developer has stated that it is not prepared to disclose them until the sale of the land has been completed.

The interest of the developer is being allowed to take precedence over that of the local community.

We recognise the need to build more housing but believe this prime seafront location should be principally earmarked for leisure and recreation.

The town’s economy relies heavily on tourism. Taking into account the impact of climate change on our weather patterns and the imperative to reduce carbon emissions, it is predicted that more and more people will choose to holiday in the UK in the future, and it is vital that the town positions itself to be a become one of the favoured holiday destinations. As the recent House of Lords report starkly warned , coastal towns must either get creative or they will die.

A report on the coastal regeneration in English resorts published in 2010 highlighted the need to address the lack of innovation to overcome the adverse aspects of the legacy of the past, noting that Hastings , which has difficult metropolitan access, does not reap discernable benefits from regional prosperity. It said the key is to regenerate the democratic excitement that made the seaside an exciting destination for earlier generations.

What has happened since 2002, when “Making “Waves,” a regeneration strategy for Hastings and St Leonards was published by the Council? It was said then that planning work that had been commissioned which would produce a new vision of “the seaside” and what it can offer, and that the town would become one of the most forward thinking seaside towns in England.

Unfortunately there has been a marked lack of leadership and vision since then.

The bathing pool site has been sadly neglected over the past thirty years but we believe with leadership and vision it can be transformed into a destination worthy of the name, a vibrant space for the local community, visitors and business owners alike. Instead of a housing estate, let there be a swimming pool, flower gardens, a sculpture park, an iconic building or other such amenity that will give pleasure and inspire, and help with the much needed regeneration of the town.

As a potential champion of the of the town we hope you will agree with us and lend us your support.

We look forward to hearing from you, with any comments you may have.

Yours sincerely

Virginia Vilela

Chairperson,

West Marina Group