Hastings Local Plan Pre-Submission Version 2023-2041 (Regulation 19) September 2026
Appendix 1: Key Evidence Base Items Comment
There are a number of key pieces of evidence that are referred to frequently throughout the plan. These include:
Biodiversity and Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy (2022): The Biodiversity and Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy identifies a robust GBI network across Hastings that reflects current GBI assets, and key priorities to increase their resilience.
Densification and Capacity Study (2026): This study puts forward evidence-based conclusions to where and how much densification is appropriate.
Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Needs Assessment (2022): This study provides a summary of accommodation need for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in respect of both their permanent and transit needs for pitches/plots over the study period.
Hastings and Rother Playing Pitch and Built Facilities Study (2023, Updated 2026): This joint strategy for Hastings and Rother was produced in line with Sport England’s latest guidance and is the follow-on document to the Rother and Hastings Playing Pitch Strategy 2016 and the Leisure Facilities Strategy 2009-2020.
Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA): The HEDNA (2024, Addendum 2026) has been prepared jointly with Rother District Council. Its purpose is to assess future development needs for housing (both market and affordable) and employment across the Hastings and Rother area, to inform the preparation of the two Authorities’ emerging Local Plans. The document does not set the housing target for local authorities but provides the evidence to inform its starting position. The HEDNA has been produced in line with national Planning Practice Guidance[28].
East Sussex and Brighton and Hove Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS): Local Nature Recovery Strategies are a new system of spatial plans for nature introduced by the Environment Act 2021. Local Nature Recovery Strategies aim to develop and agree the priorities for nature’s recovery in collaboration with local stakeholders including residents, farmers, community groups, organisations and businesses. They provide a set of practical actions that can deliver the priorities and map where actions to create or enhance habitats could be implemented to deliver the greatest benefit for nature and the wider environment.
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) (2024, Updated 2026): The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment provides information on all sources of flood risk in Hastings.
Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) (2025, Updated 2026): The SHELAA assesses the development potential of sites for housing and economic land across the borough and consider whether they are suitable, available and achievable for development.
Strategic Open Space and Play Assessment and Audit (2020): This document identifies current quantity and quality of open space and play spaces within the borough and sets quantity and quality standards for future provision.
