Ground probe for Pelham beach conditions

The open space square with a new hotel and office block on each side, plus an underground car park, form the plans being put forward by the Hastings task force which is working on the town's regeneration.

But before they get started they wanted to check out whether the site is viable for such a development.

Hence the preliminary site investigation which is being carried out by Structural Soils Ltd at a cost of around 15,000.

They needed to find out what the structure of the soil was first and it was to make sure nothing had been overlooked, said a spokeswoman.

The design teams for the Pelham Square development are to present their visions for the area in the middle of October.

Old Towners and conservationists have already staged a protest on the site over the hotel plans.