Heated debate sees Harrow Lane housing development plan turned down

By Tom McCann A controversial plan to build housing in the empty fields off Harrow Lane was the subject of heated debate during a three hour meeting of Hastings Borough Council’s (HBC) Planning Committee last week.  Approval has already been granted to build 50 homes on the site, however the developer has resubmitted their proposals […]

Will Martineau Lane mega-build be planning councillors’ ‘line in the sand’?

Councillor says planning committee has to draw ‘a line in the sand’. Tired of committee being branded ‘toothless‘ and ‘spineless’. Council’s planning officers may be unwilling or unable to support councillors’ decisions. It’s time to draw a line in the sand on planning matters within Hastings in an attempt to change the public’s perception of […]

Cash boost will kick-start life-changing housing plan

Building new homes at Bulverhythe gives Hastings Borough Council (HBC) a real chance to make a difference to local people’s lives according to Councillor Andy Batsford. Mr Batsford, HBC’s lead councillor for housing, was speaking after the announcement that HBC has been awarded up to £6.9m from Homes England to develop the council-owned land off […]

Council’s planning service gets thumbs up in advisory service review

Hastings Borough Council’s planners are performing to a high standard with a low number of appeals and a good success record according to the Planning Advisory Service. HBC’s planning service was recently reviewed by the Planning Advisory Service and they were very positive about the planning service HBC provides and considers it to be ‘running well’.  The […]

‘Gambling in the dark’ pier architect unhappy at entertainment centre plan

The man who designed Hastings pier has hit out at a decision by local planners to allow a ‘family entertainment centre’ to be developed right in the middle of the Stirling Prize winning structure. In the latest edition of Architects Journal dRMM co-founder and the man behind the design of the pier, Alex de Rijke, […]

Council receives complaint over planning chair’s running of meeting

A formal complaint about the way the chair of Hastings Borough Council’s Planning committee handled a recent meeting has been lodged with the authority this week. Confirming that they had received the complaint a spokesman for HBC said it would be dealt with by the council’s monitoring officer who will investigate the matter. While names and […]

Development must bring positive impact to area

‘Think again’ is the message that Councillor John Rankin hopes members of Hastings Borough Council’s planning committee will listen to on Wednesday night. Mr Rankin is concerned that if councillors agree an access plan for a site just off Harrow Lane it will not just lead to road safety issues but to increased levels of […]