Go for it, says Chamber

It has backed the controversial idea of a hotel on the putting green site.

And it has urged town leaders not to be deterred by "a vocal single-issue interest group" in determining the town's future.

The Chamber submitted its views of regeneration just ahead of Monday's consultation deadline.

The Chamber - representing a wide cross section of the business community - submitted a 1300-word statement to Rother District Council and Sea Space.

The following extracts are taken from the document, in which the Chamber regrets to see 'reduced commercial activity, less visitors and an unbalanced demographic profile' as the town declines...

"THE CHAMBER does not seek to deny the enormous contribution to the town's economic and civic life of the retired population, but fervently wishes the town to retain its successful businesses and its talented youth, both of which have in recent years been exported to other parts of the county and further afield.

The Chamber believes the town is in danger of becoming an unsatisfactory hybrid of two things: a dormitory town for those working in Eastbourne or Hastings and a retirement location.

There is nothing wrong with either of these characteristics in isolation, but the combination of two economically inactive groups (so far as the town is concerned) dominating the town means that neither achieves the lifestyle it desires: those who travel to work each day do not find the town an attractive proposition in which to spend their leisure time in the evenings and weekends, and those who have retired to Bexhill find that the quality of facilities is gradually '“ but steadily '“ deteriorating."

The group says a thriving environment for Bexhill's youth is vital.

"It is the retention of the town's young people that will lead to business growth, more economic activity and ultimately to a higher quality of life for all age groups within the town. The more economic activity can be retained within the town, whether earning or spending, the greater the benefit to all. We believe Bexhill's regeneration is inextricably linked to the creation of an environment which encourages the setting up of new business (particularly in the fields of new media, the arts and traditional crafts/small-scale manufacturing) thus providing opportunities for the town's brightest entrepreneurs, employment prospects for college leavers and a service sector which will also be to the benefit of the retired."

The report points to the economic diversity of Hastings and Eastbourne providing greater services, even disregarding their size.

It goes on to highlight the possible areas for regeneration:

*Link road

*De La Warr Pavilion

* Seafront Hotel

*Mixed commercial / residential development '“ Sackville Road

*Commercial / residential development '“ Seafront

*Residential development '“ Worsham

*North Bexhill Business Park

*Relocation of mainline railway station

*Railway halt at Glyne Gap

*Multi-storey car park

*Grand Hotel site

*Bexhill Sixth Form College

*Expansion of Ravenside Retail Park

*Shopping mall north of Devonshire Square.

"The Chamber's view is there are compelling arguments in favour of each of these projects, but it is not the place of the Chamber to prioritise, nor to suggest one particular project is central to the successful regeneration of the town.

"Rather, we believe that there is an inter-dependence between regeneration projects by which we mean to pick one, two or even three of these projects for implementation will have minimal positive effect upon the sustainability of the town. We accept the professional advice of SEEDA's consultants '“ which has not been challenged by anyone qualified by profession or experience '“ a critical mass of development is required to arrest the town's decline and propel it towards regaining its former prosperity, and high-impact iconic development is required."

The response says the town has never succeeded through the "path of least resistance" and the likes of the pavilion, Colonnade and motor racing - which doubtless had opponents - should provide a blue print for the future. The inclusion of Bexhill in a national worst town list should serve as a warning."

Each regeneration proposal, none of which are fully-formed will proceed only with three provisos:

*The required planning permissions (including, crucially, adequate provision of car parking);

* Support of locally elected decision makers; and

* Investment of private enterprise.

The Chamber believes each of these provides a complementary safeguard against ill-judged projects which may be; detrimental to the town's environment, objectively opposed by a 'significant proportion' of the town or commercially unsustainable.

The report says Bexhill is at the "crossroads" and faces problems such as fewer visitors, fear of crime, the decay of the infrastructure, the alienation of young people, a lack of employment, the constant threat to public amenities, the draining away of talent and wealth, that cannot be ignored.

"There are difficult decisions ahead if the town is to regenerate and we urge our civic leaders to have courage in the knowledge that their duty is not only to today's electorate but to future generations of Bexhillians. We are concerned that a vocal single-issue interest group should not be permitted to dictate the town's future and we call upon our civic leaders scrupulously to weigh the opinions of all sections of the community together with the best professional advice at their disposal."