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As 2003 draws to a close we can look back on one of the most exciting 12 months the town has ever seen. As ever About has kept everyone informed of the activity.
I believe 2003 will be followed by several more exciting years as the project to revive Hastings & St Leonards really gets under way.
2003 has seen this project move from the planning stage to the delivery stage. There is the delivery of the University Centre, the progress in the demolition of the old Hastings station and the start of work on the old Boots building in Robertson Street as the first part of the media centre for new small businesses.
The really big projects are now taking shape too. The development plan is being firmed up for the Station Plaza site and of course the design exhibition has been held for Pelham Square.
All this activity is to make a difference to local people. It's about creating more jobs, better paid jobs, improving skills and changing the whole image of the town.
It's also about buildings for people, especially for people to live in.
Our millennium community programme will provide 1,400 new homes as a national example of quality construction. Thirty per cent of them will be affordable homes. The plans for the Ore Valley millennium site have just been shared with local people and they include homes, community facilities, shops and better transport all to replace a derelict hospital and a disused power station.
A week before Christmas the Council will formally declare the whole of Central St Leonards a housing renewal area to tackle the worst accommodation in the town.
Transforming Hastings & St Leonards is about transforming the lives of the residents most in need.
And one thing is for sure - every year About will be letting us know how we are succeeding.
Happy New Year to everyone.
Councillor Jeremy Birch
Leader of Hastings Borough Council
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Pictures courtesy of Bob Mazzer
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This page last updated: 11/10/2006