Harbour plans to be ‘all-inclusive’
The news that the Old Town of Hastings is to receive a £500 million injection to build a marina has divided local opinion.
The plans, announced recently, look to create a chic, wealthy enclave to an area that still receives funding from the Government as one of the most deprived places in the country, have been greeted with varying views from euphoria to disdain.
‘I think it’s a fabulous idea,’ said occasional resident Jax McHugh, ‘My weekend breaks from the ‘Big Smoke’ will be massively enhanced by looking at a plethora of expensive yachts moored under the crumbling cliffs. Of course I’ll have to walk there as the road will be grid locked to both Battle and Bexhill but I cannot wait to bathe in the reflected pomposity of it all.’
Others are not so sure. True local Bob Fisher was cynical about the motives behind the scheme. ‘I wouldn’t want to say that the developers are trying to cash in on a fad created by clueless journalists in Sunday supplements but, you know, they are.’
The promise of a $26 million a year spending spree from the new harbour residents looks attractive but when you consider thats a couple of trips to Hendys, an overpriced vegan offering at a pop up restaurant and a piece of local artwork with a seagull on it not much of the town will benefit.
To address this imbalance the developers have come up with a solution the other end of Hastings, an area that actually requires regeneration.
‘We have procured an old prison ship that we can moor off of the Bathing Pool site. It will house all of the displaced current proper residents of the Old Town, the twenty five percent social housing aspect as well as anyone who is against the proposed scheme. It’s a win-win situation,’ said a spokesperson for the development team.
The ill-informed debate continues on social media.
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