Stunning new plans for a Media Centre in Robertson Street could put Hastings & St Leonards at the cutting edge of architecture & design as well as nurturing our creative industries within its unique walls.
The plans set out how three Victorian town houses, next to the United Reform Church, could be merged into one. If the plans go ahead, there will be a minimum of 12,000 square feet of office space and meeting rooms with access to broadband facilities so that design, media, film and video industries can be supported and nurtured.
Three options have been put forward for consultation – one involving a total rebuild, one just refurbishment and the other a combination of both.
The proposals include a glass front leaning out at an angle, giving panoramic views of the historic America Ground area as well making the building light and airy.
Lewes based architects BBM Sustainable Design have proposed that a walkway, linking Robertson Street with Cambridge Road, should be included in the design of the building. They also recommend putting solar ‘shades’ over the glass front. In the Summer this will provide cooling from direct sunlight and excitingly could be used as a screen on which to project images or films in the evening.
The Media Centre will be energy efficient and built from sustainable materials, including sweet chestnut from local coppices. Solar panels will allow the building to create and provide 80% of its own heat, 25% of all the energy it needs to run and all the hot water required.
Architect Duncan Baker-Brown believes that the design values the history of the site, while moving it into the 21st Century.
Creative Industries such as film, design, video and music are one of the fastest growing areas of the economy. Their output is 10% higher than average and employment growth is twice the national average.
Attracting these types of businesses to Hastings & St Leonards could lead to better employment opportunities for people in the town. Approximately 25% of unemployed people in the town are aged 24 or under and jobs in new media, arts, design and music industries can offer exciting employment opportunities for this age group.
Creative industries also attract other kinds of businesses such as cafes, bars and shops which would be beneficial to the regeneration of the town centre. They also provide valuable services to other businesses such as advertising and design and provide cultural events and services for the community.
Councillor Mike Bigg, Cabinet Member responsible for Regeneration, said:
"Hastings & St Leonards has the potential to make itself a centre of excellence in media and creative industries. The town already has around 200 creative firms and 200 artists working in it.
"We hope that the Media Centre will help to raise the profile of this important part of our local economy, and will undoubtedly help build on our culture to create a thriving, cosmopolitan town.
"Consultation with the creative industries already in the town and neighbouring businesses has already started and we hope that plans can go through the planning board in Spring 2003.
This project is being developed by SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) on behalf of the Hastings and Bexhill Taskforce in partnership with local organisations.
For more information please contact Creative Industries Officer Sarah Elderkin on 781775 or email creativeindustries@hastings.gov.uk
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This page last updated: 09/04/2003