Eyesore on George Street
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN
There is mounting frustration from local traders and residents over the developers’ failure to transform the site of a burnt-out nightclub at the entrance to George Street. In response, Hastings Borough Council now appears poised to take action to address the state of this eyesore.
Oasis Developments Hastings Ltd were granted planning permission to build 14 apartments, six holiday lets and four shops on the 39-41 George Street site last year. However, despite repeated assurances, construction work has still not started.
At an informal meeting before Christmas, the council made it clear to the developer that the prolonged delay in progressing the planning permission and associated legal agreement was “unacceptable”. The leader of the council, senior officers, and the borough solicitor secured a commitment to improve the appearance of the site immediately, including the removal of vegetation and graffiti, and to upgrade the hoardings with visualisations of the proposed development.
No such work has been undertaken, however, and the entrance to George Street remains an eyesore.
The lack of progress on the site has united the council leadership, local traders, and residents in their frustration over the developer’s failure to deliver on its commitments. The Council Leader, Cllr Glenn Haffenden, said residents and businesses are “right to be frustrated by how long this has dragged on”. This view was echoed by Cllr Julia Hilton, the Deputy Leader of the Council and ward councillor for Old Hastings.
The frustration has now boiled over, and the council is preparing to take a much harder line with the developer to require that the improvements are made. Unlike in December, when the council wrote to the owner requesting that necessary works be carried out voluntarily, the council has now begun the formal planning enforcement process by issuing a Section 215 notice requiring the owner to address the condition of the site.
Under the terms of the formal notice issued under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the owner has ten working days to respond and a minimum of 28 days to clean up the site. Failure to do so is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution and fines.
Cllr Julia Hilton acknowledged that the lack of visible progress is “understandably disappointing” for residents. However, she stressed that the council must follow the correct legal processes.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply