Hastings Local Plan Draft Local Plan Preferred Options (Regulation 18)

Foreword

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, Leader of the Council

This draft Local Plan sets out how Hastings will grow and change over the next eighteen years. It addresses some of the most significant challenges facing our borough: the need for more homes, the urgency of tackling climate change, the importance of protecting our green spaces and historic character, and the need to strengthen our local economy.

Housing remains one of the most pressing issues for our community. Too many residents struggle to access secure and affordable homes. Through this Plan, and alongside our Housing Strategy, we are committed to increasing the supply of genuinely affordable, high-quality homes, including new council housing. Growth must deliver real benefits for local people — supporting families, improving wellbeing, and creating sustainable neighbourhoods.

As well as providing homes and jobs, the Plan makes sure that the right infrastructure is in place. This includes community facilities, schools, sports facilities and health centres. The Plan ensures that developers contribute towards the delivery of these and other types of infrastructure, such as parking improvements, open space, play spaces, public rights of way and public transport improvements.

At the same time, Hastings is a town with a unique identity and exceptional environmental assets. We are determined to protect and enhance our open spaces, sports facilities, heritage and landscape setting. Growth must be carefully managed so that it strengthens, rather than undermines, the character of our borough.

This draft Plan reflects difficult choices. We must respond to national requirements while ensuring that development happens in the right places and to the right standard. I encourage residents, businesses and community organisations to consider the proposals carefully and share their views. Your input is essential in shaping a Plan that supports a fairer, greener and more prosperous future for Hastings.

Cllr Mark Etherington, Lead Councillor for Strategic Planning and Climate Adaptation

National planning policy requires councils to plan positively for growth and to meet identified housing need. The Local Plan must demonstrate how this housing need can be met, alongside provision for employment land, infrastructure and community facilities.

Hastings faces significant constraints. The borough is tightly bounded with the sea to the south and areas of high environmental value to the north, east and west, including the High Weald National Landscape and Hastings Country Park. As a result, land availability is limited and new development must therefore make efficient use of suitable sites, starting with previously developed land.

This draft Plan sets out proposed site allocations and development management policies to guide the scale, location and quality of development. It includes policies to promote energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, support sustainable transport, protect areas of environmental sensitivity, and strengthen the local economy. It also identifies land for employment growth to support investment and job creation within the wider Hastings and Rother Functional Economic Market Area.

Before adoption, the Plan will be subject to independent examination to assess whether it is legally compliant and sound. This consultation represents an important stage in that process. Responses received will inform the refinement of the strategy and policies before submission for examination.

Careful, evidence-based planning is key to ensuring that Hastings grows sustainably. It is equally important to balance these development needs with climate resilience and environmental protection. Your views will help ensure that the final Plan is robust, sustainable and deliverable.