Proposals for development of the old bathing pool site at West Marina are still awaited from West St Leonards Marina Limited (WSLML), the subsidiary of County Gate Properties which holds a lease for this purpose. 

The company has let it be known that its representatives have already been “discussing” its plans with members of the Hastings Borough Council Cabinet, and that a “public consultation” will ensue at the end of March. 

A spokesperson for the council indicated at the end of last week that Cllrs Julia Hilton and Glenn Haffenden, leader and deputy leader respectively, were due to meet with the County Gate team for a briefing “in the next couple of weeks”. 

As reported in HIP 269, the residents of West St Leonards have already embarked on their own consultation process by holding an exhibition and workshop of potential development ideas for the site. The feedback showed almost universal approval for earmarking the eastern end of the site as a leisure destination with low buildings (if any), play areas, gardens, retail and hospitality – ideally, in the opinion of some, with a reversion to a tidal pool or on-land lido. Others endorsed plans for a wide-ranging sports centre/outdoor gym and/or for a “village green” with space for yoga, music and drama events, and an amphitheatre or bandstand.

Although there was some support for “as many affordable homes as possible”, it was generally agreed that any housing should be confined to the west end of the site, probably high-rise – though, if so, “of an iconic design”.