200 homes plan for St Leonards convent blaze site
A plan for transforming the former St Leonards convent site into a new housing development following a devastating fire has been unveiled.
Hastings Borough Council has published its plans for the former Convent of the Holy Child Jesus on Magdalen Road within its draft Local Plan.
It said the Local Plan establishes the strategic planning framework for the borough until 2041, including policies and site allocations to address housing, employment, infrastructure, climate change, environmental protection and regeneration needs.
The 4.76ha site has been allocated within the Local Plan for a potential 200 homes.
A draft version of the town's 2041 Local Plan, published on the council's website ahead of a cabinet meeting on September 7 when it will be debated on, lays down a set of rules to restore the historic site and preserve its heritage.
The council's provisional blueprint states: “The former Convent of the Holy Child Jesus site is allocated as a comprehensive heritage, landscape and residential-led regeneration scheme. Development must secure the repair, restoration, active re-use and long-term management of the Grade II* listed chapel, Grade II listed buildings, curtilage listed structures and protection of the Nuns’ Cemetery, a non-designated heritage asset.”
The council said the Local Plan was prepared following extensive evidence gathering, ongoing engagement with stakeholders and neighbouring authorities, and two rounds of public consultation.
Following the most recent consultation, the council said it made changes to the draft Plan, which includes the masterplan for the former convent site.
It added site allocation criteria have been updated to address specific concerns raised regarding land adjacent to Sandrock Park, Tilekiln Farm and other proposed sites.
Cllr Mark Etherington, lead councillor for planning, infrastructure and regulatory services, said: “We had more than 2,300 comments from more than 540 individuals and organisations, and our planning policy team has carefully considered all of them.
“Many of you have also expressed concern about the former convent site on Magdalen Road. The development brief for the site seeks to balance the protection and long-term future of its important historic buildings with the need to provide much-needed homes and secure a positive future for the location. We are keen to work constructively with the site owners and any future development partners.
“This upcoming Regulation 19 consultation on the Plan is different from the earlier consultations. It asks whether the proposed Plan is legally compliant and sound. We will be updating our website and social media with details on how and when feedback can be made.
“This Local Plan remains absolutely vital, and among the most important documents we prepare, because it enables us to set out a clear framework for appropriate development across Hastings. Without an up-to-date Local Plan, local influence over future growth could be reduced and the Council could be more exposed to government intervention in planning matters.”
On July 9 a blaze broke out at the former convent site.
Large smoke plumes were seen billowing over the town as the fire took hold.
Two boys were arrested on suspicion of arson and released on conditional bail, police said.
A Sussex Police spokesperson said the investigation into the fire is still ongoing and the boys 'remain on bail as enquiries continue'.
The site features the Grade II* listed St Michael’s Chapel, designed by Edward Welby Pugin. His father, Augustus Pugin, was the legendary architect who designed the interior of the Houses of Parliament and the world-famous clock tower housing Big Ben.