Plans submitted for new Bexhill artists' studios built from recycled shipping containers
A bid has been made to use recycled shipping containers to create an artists' studios.
Cathedral Group Limited has submitted plans to Rother District Council for the erection of 12 recycled shipping containers at the Old Ambulance Station in Beeching Road, Bexhill.
The structures would be one and two storeys high, complete with stairs, access walkways, and an outdoor terrace.
They would house new studios, a covered exhibition space, and a community event area protected by a stretched tent.
A design statement by Stagg Architects Limited on behalf of Cathedral Group Limited said: “The Old Ambulance Station occupies a 0.2-hectare site comprising the former ambulance building and adjacent car park.
“In recent years, the site has evolved into a vibrant creative hub, offering some of the most affordable studio spaces for artists in East Sussex.
“It currently houses eight studios and a communal kitchen, with resident artists contributing to the community through volunteering in local schools, care homes, and social projects.
“A distinctive feature of the site is its recently re-purposed train carriage, now transformed into a community café.
“The proposal introduces 1,800 sqft of new workspace through 12 modular shipping container units. These are conceived as simple, robust volumes offering natural light and industrial-level servicing for diverse creative practices, including ceramics. The containers will be painted in a refined colour palette, providing both durability and a cohesive visual identity.
“A new rooftop terrace links the modular cluster with the existing building, creating an elevated outdoor space for informal gatherings, exhibitions, and collaboration between artists.
“At the heart of the proposal is a light-filled, adaptable exhibition space.
“A seasonal stretch-tent structure provides a sheltered, multipurpose space for outdoor workshops, youth engagement, and cultural programming.
“The proposals will deliver new jobs and enterprise opportunities, strengthen connections between Beeching Road and the town centre, forming a vibrant cultural corridor, provide inclusive creative and cultural programmes for all residents, and generate pride, identity, and vibrancy for Bexhill’s community and visitors alike.”
Members of the public may view the full details of this application and submit comments via the Rother District Council planning portal at www.rother.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control and search under the reference number RR/2025/2087.