Councillors have approved plans for a new visitor centre at Hastings Castle.

Hastings Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously approved applications to demolish the West Hill Café and build a new visitor centre.

The two applications had been put forward by Troika Projects Limited, which is the council’s partner in the Town Fund programme to improve tourism at Hastings Castle.

The committee heard from a representative of the West Hill Alliance — a group of local residents who had put forward a petition raising concerns about the plans.

An illustrative drawing showing what the final building could look like. Image: Troika Projects Limited/Poroban

placeholder image — An illustrative drawing showing what the final building could look like. Image: Troika Projects Limited/Poroban

Lead petitioner Jackie Wren said: “While we support the principle of maintaining and improving the facilities at the West Hill Café, we, the West Hill Alliance, object to the application in its current form, unless appropriate planning conditions and legal obligations are secured.

“These measures would help ensure that the public benefits of the development are realised for future generations.”

She said the West Hill Alliance wanted councillors to impose a requirement for Historic England to sign-off documentation prior to demolition work and ensure there would be funding to run and maintain the West Hill Lift.

The petition called for legal obligations, including an ‘active use clause’, which would seek to avoid long-term vacancy of the building should the venture fail.

Council officers told the committee the conditions could not be included as they would each go beyond what is permitted by planning rules.

Historic England was consulted on the proposals and had not raised any objections, councillors heard.

The committee agreed to approve both applications in line with the officers’ original recommendation which included requiring a programme of archaeological works.

The two applications covered the same development. One sought planning permission and the other listed building consent.

The new visitor centre would be expected to include a restaurant and kitchen space; information kiosk/gift shop; gallery spaces; and toilets. It would be surrounded by terraced seating; a boardwalk; cycle storage; and a rain garden and other landscaping.

The scheme also involves works associated with the Grade II listed West Hill Lift. This would involve the construction of a new lift at the funicular railway’s upper terminus, providing a more accessible connection to the proposed café building.

For further information see applications HS/FA/26/00093 and HS/LB/26/00127 on the Hastings Borough Council website.