October 2009

The much anticipated designs for Bexhill's 'Next Wave' seafront regeneration scheme have been released.

The plans have been drawn up using feedback from the public exhibition, work conducted through the 'Spaceshaper' workshop with seafront user groups and architect HTA's industry-leading expertise.

Next Wave aims to make the most of Bexhill's key asset – its seafront. The project will turn the seafront into a more attractive offer for residents and visitors.  The scheme forms part of a package of works initiated by the Council to regenerate the town and district – including the redevelopment of Sidley Goods Yard, the Bexhill to Hastings Link Road, the new-look Bexhill Museum and the new Bexhill High School.  It has received a £1million grant from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) - the highest amount available. 

Next Wave project sponsor Cllr Christopher Starnes said: "We are thrilled by the proposals. We think the designs are attractive to visitors and residents and will meet the key aim of improving Bexhill's seafront offer.  I believe these plans are not only exciting but also meet the requirements of our residents and will address any concerns they may have. It should be noted that these designs do not yet go into the technical details of the scheme like the levels and lengths of the different areas, but provide a complete overview of the project."

The scheme can be broken down into several key elements. More detailed images and specifications can be found here.

The Promenade

The West Parade promenade will cater for a range of users, ages and activities. The space will include planting, gardens, play features, exercise facilities, lawned areas and unloading areas for beach users.  The designs also increase the amount of seating provided along West Parade.  The activity areas will be evenly distributed along the promenade. Plants will be chosen to cope with the harsh seafront environment. Small play areas will allow children to jump, balance and walk on features located along the promenade. Features encouraging visitors and residents to take exercise will also be incorporated into the scheme.  The promenade will benefit from resurfacing and the railings will be replaced.

All of the design elements will be robust enough to deal with harsh weather and high levels of use.

The Metropole Lawn

The current lawns will be increased in size – allowing more people to enjoy the open space and sea views.  It is envisaged that the green areas will become a space to be used by all. Unlike now, residents and visitors will be able to use the green for a variety of different activities like picnics, sunbathing and games.  The terraced design makes the smaller areas suitable for quieter uses, with the large main terrace also suitable for organised activities and events.

The new paths across the Metropole green create better accessibility to the De La Warr Pavilion, Colonnade and seafront. The low wall surrounding the green will remain in place. Access to all areas of the lawn will comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. The amount of space for sitting and resting will be increased as requested by seafront user groups, with seating also built into the terraced design. The series of flat terraces will de-clutter the landscape and frame the De La Warr Pavilion.

Seating

There will be more seating on West Parade.

The plan provides a significantly increased number of places to sit and enjoy the sea views after residents said this would be an important part of the regeneration scheme.  The benches will be made of wood, although the final type of wood material is yet to be agreed.  No seafront bench memorial plaques will be lost. People who have donated seats will be given the option for their memorial plaque to be put on one of the new benches on West Parade, west of the kiosk, free of charge.

Signage

New signage will give clear directions to points of interest along the seafront. The consistent design will help to avoid confusion and get rid of the many different signs which currently clutter the promenade.  The signs will include clear visitor information and safety messages.

Lighting

The lighting scheme creates safe, comfortable spaces that can be used during the evening. The designs respect the heritage setting of the buildings, ensure the seafront is attractive at night, are very conscious of energy efficiency and reduce unnecessary light pollution. The lighting strategy features low level ambient lighting along the promenade, subtle feature lighting on the Metropole lawn and planting areas and feature lighting at the museum, clock tower, Colonnade and De la Warr Pavilion.

Planting

In order to improve the promenade landscape a planting scheme using salt tolerant coastal species will be chosen. Planting will be added along the promenade, the west boundary of the pavilion and the pavilion car park boundary. Plants will be chosen by horticulturists with experience of seafront environments so the flora offers seasonal interest as well as colour and shape.

People flock to Next Wave Exhibition

HUNDREDS of people attended an exhibition of designs for the regeneration of Bexhill seafront on Saturday (October 3).

The plans were the outcome of development work following a previous exhibition and a workshop to better understand the needs of seafront user groups.

The proposals for the refurbishment of West Parade have already attracted a £1 million grant by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) one of only two Authorities in the country to be awarded the maximum amount.  This clearly demonstrates the strength of Rother's application and CABE's recognition of its importance to ongoing programme of regeneration, which includes the Bexhill to Hastings link road, the Sidley Goods Yard project, money pledged to regenerate Egerton Park and the new-look £2million Bexhill Museum, in which the exhibition was held.

The exhibition proved so popular that some people had to queue to get in during the first hour.  Council officers opened up another room in the museum for the crowds of people eager to see the plans.

Residents and visitors could view pictures and leave comments, as well as speak to lead consultants HTA.

Some people even took the opportunity to walk the seafront with the architects to better visualise the designs.

Rother District Council chief executive Derek Stevens said:  "We were thrilled by the vast number of people who turned out to see the designs.

"The huge demand to see the plans and talk to the architects even meant there was some queuing in the first hour, for which we apologise, but this was resolved by opening another room in which people can see the plans.

"We were pleased so many people took the time to constructively comment on the proposals and speak with the architects."

Rother leader Cllr Carl Maynard said: "I was delighted to see so many residents took the opportunity to attend and let us have their views using our feedback forms. We want to positively engage with Rother residents in our regeneration proposals and we will of course listen to positive and constructive criticism; we will inform residents more fully once we have processed the feedback we received."

Visitors to the exhibition were given the opportunity to fill out comment forms in case any common themes emerged which would assist the architects.

Many left positive remarks about the scheme but requested answers on certain aspects.

Gill Clifton, of Hooe, said:  "I was happy that the designs for the West Parade included more seating as the seating now is sometimes full up. The new designs look clean and very appealing, and I don't always like change. The Colonnade has been in great need of redevelopment. My husband and I love to visit Bexhill, which I consider my home town, and go to the Café for a drink or snack, the new proposals will make it easier throughout the busy season and equally possible when the weather is bad."

"I think it's a great improvement on the last lot of plans I saw," said seafront resident Pat Clements.  "I thought the majority of it was fine and I really like the wooden seats."

She added:  "My only concern was about the wall around the play area – it needs to be the same height it is now because it is a dangerous road."

Ann Bevan, of Wannock Close, said:  "It's good – nothing to object to surely?  It's a more feasible proposal than the misconceived plans."

Others had mixed or more negative views on the proposals, often based on common themes.

Frequent questions either asked of the architects or written on the forms, and their answers, are provided below.

Are public toilets included?

In providing a restaurant at the Colonnade, a toilet that otherwise would not have been there will be created for patrons. A review of toilets in the district is likely to go before cabinet shortly with suggestions for refurbishments.

What is happening to the putting green?

The green space will be staying – in fact the lawns will be made larger under the plans. The new area can be used to carry out a variety of activities including picnics, sports, sunbathing and games.  It can also be used for organised events.  Currently the only people who can use the lawn are those who pay for putting.  The crazy golf, which figures show is poorly used, will be removed, but the new plans will allow families to do more things for free.

Make sure the new benches are comfortable

The plans will see lots more seating on the seafront.  Seats will come in a variety of designs – some without backs, some with low backs and some with backs at a standard height.  Importantly though, there will be plenty of benches to suit everyone and they will be made of wood.  No memorial plaques will be lost either, with donors given the option of having them placed on the new benches.

The Colonnade plans look good but are they commercially viable?

The Colonnade is a grade II listed building which is in a poor state of repair.  It needs work to preserve it.  The current proposals mean no great excavation will take place, but there will be a main restaurant, flanked by several small kiosks, as well as a restoration of the building.  The purpose of the Next Wave scheme is to improve the public realm for people to enjoy and make the seafront a more attractive offer for businesses – while we are expecting an income stream to the Council from these premises it is not the driving factor behind the designs.  There are many other examples of towns with thriving seafront restaurants. The Colonnade development is also assisting the Rowing Club to move forward.

Will there be a cycle lane?

Cycling is currently prohibited on Bexhill seafront by bylaws, therefore the architects were asked not to include this in their brief.  However East Sussex County Council is examining the possibility of including a cycle lane on the road and Rother will be conducting a review of bylaws, of which cycling is one, in the near future.

STATEMENT ENDS

Date 6 October 2009