Details of projects and plans for the regeneration of Hastings & St Leonards were enthusiastically received by 200 representatives from local organisations, groups and businesses in the town, at a Town Conference held during April.
The Town Conference was held at St Mary in the Castle and provided local businesses, organisations and volunteers with a report back on the huge consultation held during November. The New Dawn consultation focused on the long-term physical regeneration and masterplan for the town as well as individual targets outlined in the Community Strategy. The conference also outlined details of regeneration projects that have been guided by the consultation.
Speakers included Chair of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) James Brathwaite, Michael Foster MP, Head of Hastings Borough Council's Community Services Simon Hubbard, Hastings & Bexhill Taskforce Director John Shaw and Development Worker Joy Collins. Council Leader Jeremy Birch chaired the conference.
James Brathwaite outlined the importance of Hastings in the regeneration of the whole of the southeast. The South East is a world class region and SEEDA hopes to enable Hastings & St Leonards to participate in the region's economic success, and aid the town's long-term regeneration. He was pleased that take up of broadband in Hastings & St Leonards is one of the highest in the country and was clear that there is a need to enhance the skills of people here so that we can become a more productive town.
He said:
"SEEDA is not here to concrete over the south east, it's here to create a sustainable community."
He ended by stressing to delegates the importance of working together to find the best solutions to regeneration, but warned:
"Do not take a long time and argue about how we are going to spend the money, because if we don't spend it within four years, we could lose it."
Michael Foster MP then spoke about the changes that the town has seen over the past century, and said that a combination of bad decisions and bad luck had affected the town's prosperity. However, he said that since the mid 1990s there has been a new energy in the town.
"This is the opportunity for a hand up, not a hand down. None of this will happen overnight. I want us to have 2020 vision - by that time we will no longer have a town that is looking for regeneration, but is regenerated."
Hastings & Bexhill Taskforce Director John Shaw, talked to delegates about 'putting the heart back into the community'. Having visited a range of regeneration projects across the country he was able to warn how many of them begin to look very similar, following uninspiring formats and failing to maximise potential.
"Hastings is different", he said, "and we've got a fantastic opportunity to make a long lasting impact."
He spoke about how the key projects proposed for Hastings have evolved from the masterplan to focus on three town centre sites:
the Station Plaza, Campus Core, Pelham Square and the Millennium Community Project.
Consultation feedback clearly showed that the community has a high appreciation and knowledge of design and architecture, and John said this was a huge benefit that would really help all the organisations work together to put vibrancy back into the town and be a leading example of successful coastal regeneration.
The Council's Head of Community Services Simon Hubbard, spoke to delegates about the Community Strategy. This was put together in full consultation with organisations and individuals across the town. Over 10 years the Community Strategy sets out actions and targets which will improve the town's economy, housing, community safety, health, education, community facilities and transport, all of which support the physical regeneration package.
"There are no concrete measures for it's success - it's just about increasing the sum of human happiness. It's all for the benefit of everyone who lives here."
Development Worker Joy Collins took to the floor and gave delegates an inspiring talk about her perspective as a resident on how neighbourhood renewal is affecting her and to tell people how important their role in regeneration is:
"We're not expecting them to do it - we're expecting us to do it." She said that in the local wards there are people who know exactly what the problems are that are being faced in their patch, and have a pretty good idea of how to cure it.
Neighbourhood Renewal is based on local people working with all local service providers such as health, police and education to tackle problems around crime and facilities and so create safer and happier neighbourhoods for local people. Gensing & Central St Leonards, Hollington, Castle and Ore Valley are the five wards, which are part of the Neighbourhood Renewal process.
"Neighbourhood renewal should bring the end to postcode deprivation. No-one should be penalised because of where they live - the street, the house, the ward."
She said that it was great to have people on the street working alongside the suits and the service providers.
Joy said that things are really beginning to change and that now the usual suspects, are being joined by new, fresh faces. She outlined key qualities, which would be welcomed if people want to become active in their area: patient, practical, persistent, pushy, purposeful and passionate.
"Hastings is infuriating and enchanting in almost equal measures. We are going to create happier places. Places where businesses and communities can flourish. It is time to set aside cynicism, join us and bring your passion and work with us at street level."
Summing up, Council Leader Jeremy Birch, said:
"This is the most exciting time to be active in Hastings & St Leonards. There is no town of our size with as much going on or with the amount of national and regional attention we are getting. But it is also the most demanding time for everyone. To succeed with the revival of Hastings and St Leonards will take the united efforts of us all- the potential for our town is massive."
To find out more about what was said at the Town Conference click here
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This page last updated: 03/07/2003