Hastings Neighbourhood Board submits ten-year regeneration plan to government

Hastings Neighbourhood Board has today formally submitted its regeneration plan to government for approval, setting out a bold ten-year vision to transform Hastings’ streets and neighbourhoods.

Supported by £20 million in government funding through the national Pride in Place programme, the plan will be overseen by the Hastings Neighbourhood Board and will see up to £2 million a year invested in the things that really matter to people and in projects that build pride and connection.

Developed with extensive input from residents, businesses, and community organisations, the plan seeks to reflect what matters most to local people: cleaner, greener and safer streets, revitalised community spaces, restored heritage assets and modern sports, leisure and play facilities.

In its meeting on Monday 24 November, Hastings Neighbourhood Board committed to invest up to £250,000 a year to increase pride in our streets, up to £500,000 a year to increase pride in our neighbourhoods, and up to £1 million a year to increase pride in our town. This should ensure that small, medium and large schemes across the town will start to make a real difference to where people live.

Kevin Boorman, the independent chair of the Hastings Neighbourhood Board, said: “This plan is called ‘a Hastings for everyone’, and that’s exactly what we want. We had an incredible 4,000 responses to our consultation, an amazing figure, with responses ranging from improved sports and leisure facilities and play areas through to more litter bins and better bus shelters.

“We are committed to making improvements across the town, to benefit as many people as possible. Once we have heard back from the government, hopefully early in the New Year, the real work starts, as we put these words into action.”

Cllr Julia Hilton, deputy leader of Hastings Borough Council and lead councillor for shaping places and local government reorganisation, said: “This plan is built on what people told us matters most. It reflects Hastings’ creativity, resilience, and ambition for a better future. It’s essential that these improvements are shaped with imagination and in collaboration with local people and we look forward using this funding to deliver lasting change that people will see and feel in their everyday lives.”

Helena Dollimore MP, Member of Parliament for Hastings, Rye and the villages, said: “Local people know our area better than anyone else and that is why the Government has decided to do things differently. Whilst previous schemes saw taxpayers’ money wasted on the short-lived Owens, this time, we have the chance to improve our town by making the big decisions for ourselves, not letting other people make decisions for us.

"It is a pot of money intended to make our area and even better place to live. Getting an EXTRA £20 million is a massive investment in Hastings and I will keep pushing for as many residents as possible to have their say on how to spend it.”

You can find out more about the plan at Pride in Place.

Notes for editors:
Hastings has been selected by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to receive up to £20m of funding to revitalise local areas and fight deprivation at root cause by focusing on three goals: thriving places, stronger communities, and taking back control.