Review of the Cumulative Impact Assessment

This consultation has now closed.

Hastings Borough Council was reviewing its Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) and was inviting residents, businesses, and stakeholders to share their views.

What is the CIA?

The CIA is a policy that helps manage the number of licensed premises (such as pubs, bars, nightclubs, and off-licences) in areas where too many could lead to problems like:

• alcohol led public place violent crime;
• public nuisance;
• increased pressure upon emergency services.

It creates a presumption against granting new alcohol licences or changes to existing ones in certain areas - unless the applicant can clearly show their plans won’t add to existing issues.

What’s changing?

Based on updated evidence from Sussex Police and East Sussex Public Health, the council is proposing:

• removing the High Street (Area 2B) in Hastings Old Town from the CIA zone;
• reducing the size of the CIA zone in Hastings Town Centre, particularly around Cambridge Road (Area 1A).

These changes reflect a decrease in alcohol-related crime and hospital admissions in those areas.

Where can I find more information?

The Special Policy, including maps and affected streets, is available in our Statement of Licensing Policy:

• Appendix 5 (maps of CIA areas)
• Section 2.18 (list of affected streets)

You can view the proposed updated policy or request a copy from the Licensing Team.

Deadline for responses

Please make sure your comments are submitted by 5pm on Monday 15 September 2025.

All relevant comments will be considered when deciding the final content of the Assessment, although we shall not be able to respond individually to all those making comments. Any comments you send should clearly state your name, any organisation or persons you may be responding on behalf of and your address.

It should be noted that the demand for licensing premises and morality issues are not considerations under this legislation. Therefore, the authority will not able to consider any comments of this nature.
This is your opportunity to help shape how alcohol licensing is managed in Hastings and St Leonards.

We welcome your feedback.