A pool full of happy memories looks to the future
Volunteer community reporter Mary Mckay, who swam regularly at Motcombe Pool from 2012 until it closed due to Covid in 2020, finds out the latest on the renovation of this Edwardian building in Old Town. The hoardings have gone up around Motcombe swimming pool. Something is happening at last – but what? I asked Helen […]
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Bus funding of £11 million re-routed to widen Exceat Bridge
Council leaders have agreed to divert millions of pounds of bus funding to replace the single-lane Exceat Bridge near the Cuckmere Haven beauty spot. The total cost of the work is now put at nearly £22 million, ten times the amount of funding the project received when the plan went before East Sussex County Council eight […]
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What’s happening at Eastbourne bandstand?
Eastbourne’s iconic bandstand will be 90 this year and continues to undergo major repairs to make it safe. Eastbourne Borough Council spent £750,000 to repair the stage and other areas two years ago and will spend £1.1 million this year strengthening the underlying structure. With the summer concert season about to start amid safety hoardings, […]
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New Eastbourne parking restrictions agreed
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter New parking restrictions are to come into force in Eastbourne despite objections from residents. Among the measures are new double yellow lines, more blue badge parking and more spaces to allow motorbike delivery riders to park safely. The updates are part of East Sussex County Council’s annual review […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Councillors delay decision on Exceat Bridge scheme
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Plans to replace Exceat Bridge remain uncertain, after county council leaders deferred a decision on whether to scale back the scheme in the face of rising costs. East Sussex County Council’s cabinet had been due to decide today (March 4) whether to discontinue plans to replace the single-lane […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Luxury apartments planned for Claremont Hotel site
By Rebecca Maer [Edited 4.3.2025 to include comments from the Eastbourne Society] A property developer is planning to build 55 luxury apartments on the site of the burnt-down Claremont Hotel opposite Eastbourne pier in a £20 million project. No planning application has yet been submitted but an outline of the scheme is on Oasis Developers’ […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Former hospital could be used to house asylum seekers
By Rebecca Maer [Update: in early February, the Home Office confirmed it was to “walk away from Esperance House and will not be pursuing this site” as dispersal accommodation for people seeking asylum.] Eastbourne Borough Council has objected to a Home Office proposal to house up to 125 asylum seekers in the former Esperance Hospital […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Motcombe Pool clinches £520,000 in funding
By Rebecca Maer Community campaigners are celebrating the news they have been awarded more than £520,000 funding towards refurbishing Motcombe Pool. The vital injection of money will help realise the vision of creating a wellbeing centre at the 120-year-old buildings in Motcombe Lane in Old Town. The Government grant is for £475,000 capital funding and […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Councillors approve shared house with eight bedrooms
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Eastbourne councillors have approved plans for shared housing in Meads. On Tuesday (December 10), the borough council’s planning committee approved proposals to create an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Meads Street. While the scheme had been recommended for approval, neighbours argued it would harm the Meads […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Decision due on shared housing in Meads conservation area
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Proposals for shared housing in Meads are to go before councillors next week. Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee is due to consider plans (Tuesday, December 10) to officially create an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Meads Street. The scheme has been recommended for approval by planning […]
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