A sports coach working to upgrade facilities in a park has said a delay of two years by Eastbourne Borough Council in agreeing an important lease meant the project missed out on £150,000 in funding.
Craig Wells first had the idea for a modest scheme which could transform the Old Town recreation ground during lockdown.
He thought that the shabby 1927-built toilet and changing block could incorporate a community cafe and outside seating.
“I was looking across at the building and thought: ‘This could be put to much better use’,” said Craig, 38, who has been coaching for 20 years.
But bringing his vision to life has proved a long, slow process. Planning permission was granted by Eastbourne Borough Council in 2021, with the backing of 65 supporting comments, but that runs out in October this year.
The council finally agreed a 15-year lease on the block (above) last summer, but that left only a year of the planning permission.
And the original plan for an extension and terrace for cafe seating has been scaled back due to the lack of funding.
Craig said he was told the lease agreement was “in hand” when permission was granted. The scheme met all the funding criteria, except for the lease being secured, so he was hopeful of getting an important £150,000 grant for the extension.
The expected funding was via Entrust, which distributes contributions from landfill site operators for conservation and restoration projects, including those in parks.
But Craig said it was difficult to get responses from the council’s estates department and the delays dragged on. Now, he says, funding conditions have become much tougher and harder to meet.
In response to a question asking why it took two years to agree the lease, the council said in a statement:
“The funding scheme that Mr Wells unfortunately missed out on, will reopen for applications, subject to eligibility. In the meantime, council officers are supporting his applications for other funding.
“Our officers have tried very hard to accommodate Mr Wells and have now managed to find a new, more workable solution for him, enabling his plans to come to life within Old Town Rec.“
Craig said: “This is why we are struggling now to find any grants. I am quite aggrieved with the council. We have definitely missed out on that huge figure – it could have been up and running by now.
“I had nearly given up at the start of this year. But now we are more optimistic and determined than we were previously.”
It’s now vital that some work starts on the project before planning permission expires. “We have to do something,” said Craig.
To breathe life into the project, he has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise £20,000 for the initial building work and to buy basic kitchen equipment plus tables and chairs.
So far, 38 people have chipped in for around £1,500 but the race is on to get started within the next six months. Match funding plus donations of goods and services will all help the push.
Craig has had to scale the plan back to the original footprint of the building so the project is simpler and cost-effective.
The rec, as it’s known, is well used by dog walkers, families at the playground, footballers, tennis players and people just enjoying the views across Pevensey Bay and wildflower borders in the summer.
The nearest cafes are a ten-minute walk away in Green Street, so somewhere for coffee and chat would be ideal for this popular green space on the western edge of Eastbourne, at the foot of the South Downs.
Craig said: “There is a clear desire from the locals – the number of times I am on the tennis court and am asked ‘How are the plans going?’ is unbelievable.”
Craig is a director of the Old Town Hub CIC (Community Interest Company), which is a non-profit organisation started in 2020 to make tennis coaching accessible to everyone on the courts at the rec. The CIC is behind the cafe plan.
He believes creating a social space is important for players, spectators and all park users to create a welcoming environment.
A couple of internal walls in the other changing rooms will be removed to create a small kitchen area for hot drinks and simple food preparation. The toilets will be refurbished and a small changing room will remain for football referees.
It is hoped facilities can be improved as income and funding comes in. Craig wants to improve the area with paths across muddy areas near the tennis courts, tree planting, maintaining the playground and improving the basketball area.
There is a plan to employ four full-time and one part-time member of staff.
And Craig’s plans don’t stop there – he would like to organise events such as open-air cinema screenings and rec runs.
What motivates him to carry on? “We made a promise to the community and we are still excited about it – it’s worth fighting for.”
To donate, visit the GoFundMe page here.
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