West St Leonards Forum exhibition leads on to Neighbourhood Planning recognition

The recent West St Leonards Forum (WSLF) exhibition at Electro Studios in Seaside Road (7 – 16 April 2023) was a success. One of the organisers, Bryan Fisher, tells HOT what was involved, and of recognition by Hastings Borough Council (HBC) of the proposed Neighbourhood Plan area boundary and of the Forum under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Even before the exhibition ended, the Forum received the news that the application for recognition had been approved by the Council, for the Forum as the organising body for the Neighbourhood Plan, and also the designation of the proposed area (under Section 61G of the Act). Following consultation, the West St Leonards Neighbourhood Forum and the West St Leonards Neighbourhood Area were approved. A submission document has more details.

There is much hard work ahead, but membership has increased and local interest too. The Forum’s Annual General Meeting will be on Wednesday 17 May 2023 at the West St Leonards Community Centre (Bexhill Road, by the new medical centre) at 6:30pm. The AGM will elect the new committee and discuss future initiatives for the area.

Origin and aims of the exhibition

The Go West Exhibition set out to improve the recognition for that part of the borough, compared with (say) the Old Town or Burtons’ St Leonards. Relative to them it gets little investment and support. However, it does have a long and significant history (where the Conquest possible began, for instance) which shaped its modern activities and facilities. Members of the Forum therefore decided to show this. The past and some of the changes over centuries were detailed, for the pleasure of residents and visitors, and with the hope of triggering new ideas for shaping the future.

Organisation and material gathering

Exhibition space at the Electro Studios in Seaside Road was offered, opposite the site of the famous old Bathing Pool (now demolished), still a powerful memory in the area. A series of meetings was held with Forum members who offered to collect and collate materials on topics such as the sea shore, geography, architecture, pubs, churches, schools, employment, transport, sports and entertainments. These researches were gathered for display, and a booklet was produced to accompany the exhibition.

Displays and talks

The exhibition had 110 photographs, with 40 display boards of photographs and maps with explanatory texts, linked by a coloured time-line. There were also photograph albums and scrap books, on (for instance) family holidays and newspaper reports. At the end there was a display of existing buildings, asking visitors to identify them, and an area of ideas for the future, with some sample pictures and post-it notes for people to write their own ideas.

Two talks, one on local railway history (so important locally), and one on evidence of prehistoric remains, were arranged for Easter Weekend.

Participants and feedback

Despite some very bad weather, there were 295 visitors to the exhibition. Feedback and comments were all positive. The Leader, Deputy Leader and Mayor of Hastings all visited. By chance, Mayor Bacon and residents of Grosvenor House were there at the same time, and were delighted to have their photographs taken together.

Other councillors and the Labour prospective Parliamentary candidate for Hastings & Rye also attended, as did the local press. Several participants commented on their pleasure that the area was getting some attention. Sales of the brochure covered the printing costs. The exhibits have been kept for future use, or for loans to schools and other interested organisations.

West St Leonards Forum

The West St Leonards Forum was set up by local residents and others interested in the area, with the purpose of getting it designated as a local planning organisation. Designated Local Plans are legally recognised as having an important role in scrutinising and working with the local authority (HBC) to develop and improve the area for the benefit of its residents, businesses and people who work in the area. In rural areas, the plan area is often defined by the boundaries of a parish or a ward, but in larger towns the wishes of local people are a key factor.

The Forum undertook three surveys of local residents, contacted businesses and local organisations and canvassed in the area to try to find appropriate boundaries for it, before submitting the application to HBC. The now-approved designated area runs from both sides of West St Leonards up to Queensway:

Sources and supporters

WSLF are immensely grateful to the people and organisations who gave their time, lent materials (including precious heirlooms), and worked to produce the exhibits. The contributors were many, who gave advice, support, artifacts, maps, photographs, memories, talks and much else. 

Among them were: Judges (the local designers, printers and manufacturers), the Shipwreck Museum, the congregation of St Ethelburga’s, the Bull Inn, the Bo-Peep and the Marina Fountain public houses, Grosvenor House Care Home, St Leonards Bowls Club, Ken Brooks, Chris Dadswell, Eric Hardwick, Electro Studios and Hastings Museum & Art Gallery.

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