An artist's impression of the redeveloped bathing Pool site near Seaside Road showing the design for a new public slipway This is the dynamic design for a boat slipway at West Marina, as shown at a public exhibition, in August this year.
The buildings surrounding the slipway are an artist's impression of what could surround the slipway if private development companies were interested in the site. Experts expect the slipway to attract around 2000 launches per year and it is initially likely to be managed by the Council and interested parties.
Residents at the public exhibition were able to ask the designers, Councillors and Council Officers more questions about the scheme.
Some concern was raised by residents and boat experts about the safety of a slipway and the consultants' final report will ensure that all appropriate safety issues have been looked at.
The exhibition followed extensive public consultation during the summer of 1999, which generated a huge response from local residents. There was local support for a slipway and the Council appointed consultants to come up with designs.
The consultation also resulted in a number of short term initiatives to kick start regeneration in the area. These included the installation of CCTV in Grosvenor Gardens, a grants scheme to improve shop fronts along Bexhill Road and improvements to play areas at Bexhill Road and Seaside Road.
Councillor Mike Bigg, Cabinet Member responsible for Regeneration, said:
"Regeneration of the West Marina area is one of our top priorities. Through the public consultation we were able to put in place a number of short term initiatives to benefit the area and we also found that there was support for a public leisure use of the area.
"Hastings & St Leonards prides itself on its uniqueness. There are a limited number of public slipways on this stretch of coast and therefore this slipway would be something else unique to the town.
"The views and the opinions of the local communities are of course vital, and we will continue to liaise and communicate with as many people as possible about the benefits of what we propose to do. We would want to emphasise the benefits of the slipway and how it could be the vehicle to begin the regeneration of West St Leonards.
"We are committed to setting up a foreshore users group which will include all aspects of safety of any slipway."
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This page last updated: 15/10/2001