About the projects

Temporary accommodation flexible pot

£10.11m has been allocated to boost the council's accommodation programme.

The flexible capital pot will help to fund scaling up of the council's accommodation programme, including plans to acquire and develop a short-term emergency accommodation assessment centre and the development of existing private stock and houses with multiple occupancy (HMOs).

The funding will also enable the council to increase its property management and delivery capacity, as well as the acquisition of properties to use as move on accommodation.

Bexhill Road affordable housing development

£3.7m has been allocated to the Bexhill Road affordable housing development was granted planning approval in November 2023 and will provide 16 energy efficient affordable homes.

The wider ambition is that the £3.7m capital funding invested in this scheme will act as a springboard for the council to expand its direct delivery.  The funding is thereby intended to provide 16 homes in the short term but longer term to enable the council to develop a pipeline of new homes, which wouldn’t be possible without this funding, due to external borrowing requirements.

The council is progressing its proposal to build 16 affordable homes on land to the rear of 419-447 Bexhill Road. We plan to build a mix of 8 x two-bedroom family homes and 8 x one-bedroom homes that will meet local housing needs. All of the new homes will be sustainable, energy efficient and will have their own gardens. They will all be for affordable rent. 

You can read the latest update on the project here.

The rest of the funding will be used to support other projects in the town, which are outlined below:

Project Art Works

£818,800 has been allocated to Project Art Works to support the creation of a new centre of Art & Care. The centre at Trinity Hall and The Arches, will bring cultural institutions to Hastings to learn and develop collaborative approaches alongside disabled and neurodivergent artists and communities. 

The project aims to establish a new community centre, garden and gallery space and protect a historic building at risk, allowing it to be continued to be used by the local community. 

The centre will increase local participation in training and skills development for disabled adults and carers, and activities specific to children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND). Project Art Works will increase employment for local people and provide housing for those at risk of being placed in temporary accommodation. You can read more about Project Art Works here. 

Hastings Contemporary Mobile spaces for National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs)

£150,000 has been awarded to Hastings Contemporary mobile spaces for NPOs of Arts Council England. 

The fund will support the growing outreach programme through the creation of a mobile and flexible project space. This will allow the organisation to work with local partners to provide creative opportunities for under-represented communities in Hastings.

Hastings Contemporary has built a mobile creative space that champions everyday creativity, enabling local people to enjoy all kinds of art. Made in consultation with local organisations and communities, the shared space has been co-designed by artist Kieren Reed and Studio Hardie to be eye-catching and multifunctional. It will be a platform for local people to come together and be creative, to make art, to play and to have fun. 

The aim is to create a long-term asset that will increase opportunities for local people to enjoy culture. Working together with local communities (for example residents in Hollington, Tressell and Broomgrove, young people and the local fishing community) they will identify how best to animate this flexible space. They will then work with local partners to fundraise for an exciting programme of creative activities.

The project supports Hastings Contemporary’s mission to enrich lives by offering new experiences, supporting creativity and helping the town to thrive. The mobile creative space will hopefully improve the wellbeing of local people, giving rise to pride of place, by giving access to high quality arts and culture. It has the potential to introduce young people to career pathways in the creative industries; provide local children with creative play and promote good mental and physical health. It will enable local arts organisations to share their work with new audiences and promote greater access to the arts. 

You can read more about the NPOs project here.

Ore Health Centre

£100,000 has been allocated for the refurbishment and redevelopment of the Ore Clinic.

The project aim is to create a fit-for-purpose GP surgery for the patients of the Hill Surgery in Hastings. The new facility will provide suitable accommodation, with additional clinical rooms to improve patient experience and access, in a timely manner.

Love Hastings Ltd - Hastings Business Improvement District (BID)

£75,000 was allocated to the Business Improvement District (BID). The BID has confirmed the funding has been spent. Check the BID website for updates. 

Funding of £5.181m was allocated to East Sussex County Council to support other local projects listed below:

Hollington Youth Hub

£3.4m has been allocated to Hollington Youth Hub (formerly Hollington Youth Centre) for the transformation of the service. This will include improved youth facilities, enabling a range of positive activity and support services to be provided from the site.  The plans also include integration of a Family Hub provision, focusing on work with under 5 year olds and parenting support. 

The programme team is hoping to start consulting with young people and the wider community in  June 2024 and estimated project completion is in 2025.

Queensway Gateway project - Junction improvements 

The Queensway Gate project was awarded £2.5m government funding between Hastings Borough Council and Rother District Council to East Sussex County Council, to complete junction improvements to this road.

This has long been a priority for East Sussex County Council and Hastings Borough Council, and we are very pleased that government funding for this was approved. 

The finished Queensway Gateway road will improve connectivity, reduce congestion and help towards unlocking significant space for employment.

The latest project updates can be viewed here.