Back to drawing board for Observer building plans

Proposals to revamp the former Observer offices in town look set to be changed.
The iconic Observer buildingThe iconic Observer building
The iconic Observer building

In December last year, Flint Development Group unveiled plans to provide accommodation for 230 students, an art-house cinema and a shop/restaurant at the Cambridge Road site.

But the recent decision by the University of Brighton to close its Hastings campus has forced developers to revisit their proposals.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jeff Kirby, Flint’s chief executive officer, said he and his colleagues were currently exploring alternative schemes for the building.

He added: “The Observer building is an extremely challenging site to develop and expensive to refurbish so the only way to make it viable is to have housing there.”

One of the options available is to have a schene providing more than 40 new residential apartments.

Mr Kirby said: “Due to the University of Brighton planning to close its Hastings campus, having student housing is no longer viable.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are trying to work out an economically viable solution to develop the site.”

Last December, Flint Development Group was given the go-ahead to use the old Observer building in the town centre as an arts space.

Hastings Borough Council granted the temporary use for two years.

The original plans for the former printing works, which have been empty for more than 20 years, were first unveiled last summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At the time, people’s main concerns were over the addition of a seven-storey building on top of the existing structure, saying it would cause overshadowing.

Flint Development Group has since submitted revised plans, including dropping the height by two floors.

The company is expected to submit its latest application in due course, which will then be discussed by the council’s planning committee.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.