Plans by Defiant Sports for accessible facilities at the Fort Fun site on Eastbourne seafront are inching forward as it was confirmed that quotes to install a new electricity feed are being gathered.
But there is still no news on a long-awaited decision as to whether planning permission is needed for work to go ahead.
Eastbourne Borough Council has said it is awaiting quotes for a feed to Defiant’s area of the site, where there are plans for a sports hall for people with disabilities, accessible outdoor play equipment and a wellbeing garden.
In a statement to the Eastbourne Reporter, a council spokesperson said: “Officers are waiting for a quote for a new sub [electricity] main to feed Defiant’s area of the site. They are chasing it.”
Defiant also needs re-connection to water mains and is still awaiting a decision on whether planning permission is required. It says this is crucial in order to apply for large-scale funding.
The council spokesperson said: “In regard to the water, this is connected to the planning considerations… However, I don’t have a timescale for those decisions. They are in the pipeline along with other applications.”
Fort Fun renovation
The long-awaited renovation of Fort Fun on Eastbourne seafront is partly under way as the landmark seafront site is cleared ready for work to start.
Defiant Sports and local hospitality and leisure company Wingrove House are due to take leases at the site from the council to re-develop different sections of the site.
Each lease will be for five years with Eastbourne Borough Council, the landlord, but neither has signed a lease yet.
The Eastbourne Reporter interviewed Loretta Lock from Defiant Sports and Ben Porter from Wingrove House (above) in depth earlier this week on their plans. Our article can be read here.
Wingrove House is renovating the existing large building to recreate a soft play area for younger children with café and toilets.
Wingrove House operates nearby Treasure Island adventure park, the Beach Deck restaurant, cafes and kiosks along Eastbourne seafront, the Plough & Harrow pub in Litlington, as well as Wingrove House hotel and restaurant in Alfriston.
The company also plans to renovate the mini golf course on the eastern end of the site next spring and will dismantle the outdoor climbing frame near the road, which is too dangerous to use.
The rest of the site, where the water slides and trampolines were next to the beach, will be operated by Defiant Sports, which helps people overcome barriers to taking part in sport.
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