Latest news from Eastbourne Borough Council

The latest update from Eastbourne Borough Council is here with information on affordable homes, The Beacon and an innovative sewage scheme.

 

 

New affordable homes development is unveiled

The first development of new council properties completed through Aspiration Homes has been unveiled in Northbourne Road.

Aspiration Homes is a partnership between Eastbourne Borough Council and Lewes District Council, and the properties will be known as ‘The Addison’ to mark 100 years since Dr Christopher Addison introduced social housing.

Following the end of the first world war, housing was a priority in the UK. The government and then minister of health, Dr Addison, stepped in to create The Housing and Town Planning Act of 1919, known to many as The Addison Act.

Aspiration Homes has built 12 one and two-bedroom affordable homes following the demolition of four council properties on the site which had been blighted by subsidence. The scheme provides much-needed accommodation at affordable rents for local residents.

Councillor Alan Shuttleworth, Cabinet Member for Direct Assistant Services, said: “It is fantastic to see the realisation of our joint vision with Lewes to increase the supply of affordable homes, starting with these 12 new homes.

“This partnership enables the delivery of high-quality homes for those who need them most, from young people to older people, families and those with disabled access housing needs.”

By coincidence, the great, great niece of Dr Addison, Christine Matthews, works for Eastbourne and Lewes councils as a caseworker and was invited to officially open the new homes named after him.

The ambition is to deliver 215 new homes through Aspiration Homes across Eastbourne and Lewes by 2021/22.

 

‘Innovative’ sewage scheme could power Sovereign Centre

Councillors have approved feasibility work for a low-carbon scheme to heat the Sovereign Leisure Centre by extracting energy from the local sewer system.

The proposal is for a standalone energy centre on the seafront site to meet the centre’s heat requirements and help achieve the council’s vision to deliver a carbon neutral town by 2030.

Councillor Jonathan Dow, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “This highly innovative scheme provides the opportunity to take a significant step towards reducing the town’s carbon footprint, which is a key facet of council projects and services.

“The energy centre would be built to cope with extra demand in the future and could be developed to provide heat for other types of development, giving the scheme flexibility and the potential for significantly reduced running costs.”

The system would comprise two heat pumps which together will be able to meet the varying demands of the leisure centre.

The proposal would be to obtain heat by taking the liquid sewage from the nearby underground main sewer and passing it over a heat exchanger which extracts this heat and transfers it to where it is needed.

Following Cabinet’s approval, feasibility and design work will now be carried out.

The feasibility work will be delivered through Clear Sustainable Futures (CSF), a procurement and delivery framework between Eastbourne Borough Council, Lewes District Council, AECOM and Robertson.

 

Three new stores at The Beacon

Three new stores have signed up for the £85 million extension to The Beacon.

The new names for the 170,000 sq ft extension are recently-opened footwear brand Skechers, stationery and lifestyle brand Neon Sheep and British clothing group Quiz.

Andrew Rice, fund manager of centre owners Legal & General, said: “These are all quality brands that reflect the high level of confidence in Eastbourne as a shopping destination and expand the already significant offer for our customers.”

These latest names join H & M, Next, FatFace, Schuh, Jack Wills, New Look, Flying Tiger, Paperchase, JoJo Maman Bébé and Lovisa’s on the ground floor of the extension. Nando’s is trading on the first floor with new restaurants Taylor’s Restaurant and Sports Bar and The Bok Shop due to open in the autumn.

The centre’s eight-screen Cineworld opened in the summer on the second floor and announcements of further signings are expected soon.

 

New 96 home-development to help combat housing shortage

Councillors have welcomed plans for a development of 96 homes along with commercial and community space at the old Pump House site in Bedfordwell Road.

Eastbourne Borough Council bought the site two years ago and has been carrying out remedial and environmental work to prepare it for development.

Cabinet councillors have agreed to move the project along to the next stage which will lead to a planning application being submitted in the early part of next year.

Out of the 96 homes, 55 would be affordable.

During this next stage, the most cost-effective design will be found and sustainable benefits such as carbon neutral energy sourcing options and modular housing will be assessed for potential inclusion.

It is estimated the homes will be completed in 2023.

 

New landmark restaurant opens on seafront next month

The eagerly-anticipated new Bistrot Pierre restaurant on the landmark Wish Tower site is set to open in November.

With unrivalled panoramic views across the seafront and towards the Downs, the stylish eatery will sit up to 150 people and boasts an additional cafe bar on the outdoor terrace for light bites and drinks.

The Bistrot Pierre brand is known for good value provincial French cooking served in relaxed bistrots.

The venue, which is set to be a superb addition to the town’s evening economy, is now taking bookings for Christmas. Visit www.bistrotpierre.co.uk/christmas

 

Council takes decisive action to combat climate change

Eastbourne Borough Council is tackling the climate emergency decisively with Cabinet’s approval of a set of measures to deliver a carbon neutral town by 2030.

This includes £36,000 a year towards the cost of a new dedicated post, shared with Lewes District Council, to develop and support the delivery of a Climate Change Strategy.

The move comes after the council declared a Climate Emergency in July.

Looking ahead, the council will now set up an officer working group to make sure all its services and departments are fully engaged in the delivery of the Climate Change Strategy.

A Climate Change Strategic Panel is also being established, comprising five councillors, to oversee the strategy’s development and make recommendations regarding carbon reduction and climate adaptation.

In addition, a new community partnership has been launched, bringing together key campaigning and action groups with the council to develop its plans in this area.

 

Access audit of council buildings and facilities in Eastbourne

An audit of council-owned building and facilities will be carried out to determine the current levels of accessibility for disabled people.

The access audit is to focus on the full range of disabilities covered by the Equality Act 2010 including physical disability, visual impairment, being deaf or hard of hearing, having mental health conditions, a learning disability, an acquired brain injury or autism spectrum disorder.

Councillor Rebecca Whippy, Cabinet Member for Disabilities and Community Safety, said: “This administration is fully committed to the inclusion of all disabled people, mindful that a disability is not always visible.

“This audit will build on the access work already carried out at the council and we hope it further raises the profile of this issue, leading to further improvements in accessibility across the town.”

An initial programme over four years would cover: council offices at 1 Grove Road, Eastbourne Town Hall, 54 children’s play areas, 22 public toilets, leisure centres, the Tourist Information Centre, Ocklynge Cemetery, Langney Cemetery and Crematorium.

Cllr Whippy added: “It is crucial that we lead by example. This audit programme uses our existing resources and will allow us time to act on its recommendations so that we are confident we are doing all we can to give the disabled community the access they need and deserve.”

 

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