Good news as English Heritage rejects cupola

English Heritage's decision to reject a blueprint to build a cylindrical cupola and staircase at the Colonnade is the latest victory for those fighting to see Next Wave retain sympathy with the spirit of the town.

The withdrawn design for the cupola is somewhat out of kilter and would have jarred against that beautiful sweeping view out to sea from the De La Warr Pavilion.

It's unnerving to think that up until recently, English Heritage would never have got a say.

It was only in 2008 that the Colonnade gained Grade II Listed Building status, thanks to the efforts of Bexhill resident Jack Seabrook who foresaw something like this happening.

The Colonnade is a very individual, elegant structure typical of its time.

It does need work carrying out on it, so let's hope any new ideas Rother District Council put forward have a lighter and more delicate touch.

Sidley Goods Yard will benefit Hastings too

IT'S a bit churlish of Hastings MP Michael Foster to ask Rother District Council to return a 250,000 grant.

The money was handed over to go towards the Sidley Goods Yard business park scheme, which aims to create new jobs.

While Bexhill and Hastings are two very different towns with different problems and issues, they are not so far away from each other in terms of geographical distance.

Will Sidley Goods Yard be reserved just for the entrepreneurs of Bexhill?

Of course not. There will plenty of scope for people from Hastings to set up businesses there too.