Object

Representation ID: 1676

Received: 07/07/2008

Priorities currently aren't right and we feel there is a need to ensure the following elements of the vision statement are incorporated into policy and backed up by clear objectives.

Safe and thriving place - mixed-use; high employment; distinctiveness/destination; community cohesion; youth facilities; civic pride; clean attractive streets/public realm; quality housing; improved steps and twittens; safe pedestrian routes; managing drinking culture - provide alternative leisure activity; making the town centre safe for pedestrians/cyclists.

High Quality of Life - place where people want to live; good facilities; cultural and leisure activity for all ages; accessibility and affordability; town centre toilets; integrating youth culture into town centre; fantastic beach and promenade; clean water;

Strong economy - more on tourism to attract high yield eco/environmental/cultural tourism; more events; sustainable/year round/working for locals; good transport links; language schools; too much emphasis on office economy; more home working so need good ICT links; developing small businesses esp creative micro-business; need to include vision of MBM live/work style communities; being different and distinctive; diversification important - currently too much focus on office jobs

Sustainable Future - improved rail links and all public transport within and external to the town; integrated mixed-use development; maximise brownfield development; avoid all green field development, in particular Breadsell Lane; harness wind/wave/tidal/solar power for local energy; all employers with more than 5 employees to adopt green travel plans; ensure developers pay for sustainable transport especially in Millennium Communities; discourage car usage and ensure sustainable alternatives.

Unique Heritage - protect and enhance the Castle, the Pier, Objective 13 need to remove the focus on economic regeneration and value cultural and social regeneration ; cultural events, music and arts as heritage need support in planning policy backed up by sufficient floorspace at least equivalent to retail; physical provision for cultural, artistic and community events; Hastings needs to focus on its uniqueness and diversity - not try to be like anywhere else - support local talent not just outside big names; need to protect and enhance existing heritage and conservation areas; focus on appealing to a niche market.

Seaside Location - need to be more visionary as Sea Avenue in MBM masterplan; seaside should drive the economic, housing, cultural and heritage policies; seafront physical activity to engage all ages and link Hastings, Old Town and St Leonards; refresh entire seafront and address issues of urban decay; more franchises along the length of the seafront; regenerate the pier and White Rock Gardens; develop the whole of central seafront as a revitalised area of the town.

Social Regeneration - not enough focus in the objectives on social policies other than education and housing. Need stronger policies on public realm, public transport, health and leisure activity, strong sustainable communities and mixed-use neighbourhoods, creative and cultural activity.

Economic Regeneration - need to include policy support for local businesses and development of existing small business space eg: Britannia Enterprises to achieve its full potential. Need policies that recognise the ability of environmental regeneration to stimulate economic strength eg: clean attractive streetscape and frontages. Economic regeneration is not just about quantum of office and retail floor space. Lacking in policy support for sustainable visitor economy.

Cultural Regeneration - Hastings has the potential to build on its current creative and cultural activity to help stimulate both social and economic regeneration. There is a lack of strong policies in support of cultural activity and the success factors for Objective 10 are insufficient with no community, arts, cultural, or seafront success factors.

Environmental Regeneration - the seafront is the most important part of the town's public realm and it will require more than development of the White Rock Baths and the Pier to keep the whole length of the seafront as lively and active as some of the best south coast seaside towns.