Go-ahead for first wave of seafront plan

Both the Rowing Club and the Colonnade will be overhauled in a multi-million pound venture forming part of Rother District Council's (RDC) Next Wave regeneration of Bexhill's seafront.

Graham Dawes, Bexhill Rowing club chairman, said: "We are over the moon. It's good for us and it is good news for the town.

"We will now have a great facility to get more young people into rowing. What we had was far too small and this will be so much better."

During yesterday's planning meeting (Thursday) councillors thanked the Rowing Club for "putting Bexhill on the map".

Last year a team from Bexhill, Row4Charity, won a place in history by being the first four, and the youngest ever crew, to row 3,500 miles across the Indian Ocean in a race lasting 68 days. Their feat raised over 10,000 for the Stroke Association.

Cllr Deirdre Williams spoke of a "debt of gratitude" owed to the club, saying: "They desperately need new premises and we're very supportive of this application."

The existing building which neighbours the Colonnade on Western Promenade will be replaced with a larger clubhouse, paid for by RDC, and much-needed training facilities.

The exact cost of these two projects was not revealed by RDC, who say they do not want to jeopardise the tendering process.

Almost no debate was held before RDC's planning committee approved more controversial plans to develop the Grade II listed Colonnade.

Major excavation behind the building will make room for a restaurant and caf to be fronted by a glass screen.

Timber-fronted shopping kiosks will replace the deck chair seating currently standing in the wings of the building.

Protestors have claimed these retail kiosks, which are being built without businesses having signed up occupy the space, are out of character with the De La Warr Pavilion and the Colonnade, a concern that was not brought up at yesterday's meeting.

And Cllr Deirdre Williams referred to another worry shared by protestors, saying: "It is very well used down there, but whether the retail units are going to be taken up or not is another matter."

Two other bones of contention '“ a spiral staircase leading down to the restaurant and a drum-shaped building on the lawn in front of the Pavilion '“ were dropped from plans last month.

Cllr Joanne Gadd said: "It's going to enhance the seafront and encourage more people down there."

Preliminary works on the seafront will start in Spring, with the bulk of development scheduled for Autumn.

Project sponsor Cllr Christopher Starnes said: "We are delighted these key features of the Next Wave scheme have been approved.

"We are now looking forward to starting work on these plans to make Bexhill a better place to live, visit and work."