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The National Trust acquired its first property in the South East region at The Clergy House, Alfriston, East Sussex., in 1896.

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Regeneration in historic coastal towns


A new report and conference puts the spotlight on seaside architecture and its role in regeneration in Hastings

Summer is over, the crowds are gone but the picture of South East coastal towns is by no means bleak.

Regeneration in Historic Coastal Towns, a new guidance note published by English Heritage, has chosen Hastings to show how heritage can be a dynamic resource for regeneration. The guidance highlights 15 examples across England, from Morecambe and Margate to Whitby and Weymouth, where historic assets like hotels, fishermen's huts and harbours are acting as a catalyst for successful regeneration and economic diversification to take place.
Details of these examples are available from http://www.helm.org.uk/coastaltowns

It is published to coincide with a two-day conference on seaside heritage and its role in regeneration, to be held in Hastings on 16th and 17th October.

Dr Andy Brown, South East Regional Director of English Heritage, said; "Investing in the historic core of seaside towns is the essential first step in revitalising communities and giving residents a home with a soul. From fishing alleys to Victorian boulevards, from old docks and harbours to historic spas, we have lots of evidence to show that people and businesses flourish in places where local character and distinctiveness are being revived, often through physical renewal and reuse of historic buildings.

"It is clear that seaside towns need to adapt and evolve. The historic environment should be recognised as an integral part of the search for a new identity and better future. It is what makes them loved, welcoming and unique in the first place, and as such provides a natural economic, geographic and civic focus for their regeneration."

Hastings' historic assets are so important that an EU-wide project has conducted an architectural audit of the town, which aims to use architecture to encourage cultural tourism and to act as a tool for planners, developers, conservation officers and local amenity societies when considering new development.

As part of the town's strategy of economic diversification in the face of long term decline, heritage assets in the Old Town and the Victorian seafront and town centre are being identified and sensitively managed so that they can make a significant contribution to the town's future. For example, public realm improvement and facade restoration around the Trinity Triangle, the retail core of the town centre, helped to kick-start the development of a cafe and restaurant economy. The area around the station is being looked into for office use while the Marina Pavilion will provide multi-functional, communal space.

But the report also points out that high maintenance cost is among the many factors hindering physical renewal of historic architecture and threatening their survival. Weathering is often more pronounced in coastal towns where buildings face salt-laden winds, making the cycle for maintenance shorter and therefore more expensive. In places where the housing market is not strong, large quantities of Georgian and Victorian housing stock ageing at the same rate can leave private owners and local authorities with a backlog of urgent repairs to fund.

New developments within an historic coastal setting are also often a difficult issue. Many coastal towns contain some of Britain's finest pieces of Georgian, Victorian and Inter-war architecture and examples of planned townscapes. Local authorities have to make difficult judgements about developments and infrastructure projects which can bring economic benefits but may compromise the townscape or local distinctiveness and character.

Long-term decline in some areas has also created negative images of many coastal towns. These can be deeply entrenched in the public's perception and challenging to reverse. Poor upkeep can leave the built heritage unappreciated by visitors, undervalued by investors and potentially seen as a burden by local authorities.

The report also calls for a broader vision and national policies to tackle common issues faced by seaside towns, such a high degree of social deprivation, a lack of good marketing and visitor offers, poor access and an ageing population.

A recent poll conducted by English Heritage showed that historic exteriors appeal to the modern visitor as much as they did when they were first built. Three-quarters (77%) of respondents agreed that 'the historic character of seaside towns is what makes them beautiful and enjoyable'. Two-thirds agreed with the statement 'seaside towns hold a special place in my heart', and that 'seaside holidays and seaside towns are at the centre of our national identity'. But three quarters (76%) agreed that 'many seaside towns are shabby and run down. The government should invest more to preserve what is distinctive and valuable there'.

Regeneration in Historic Coastal Towns is downloadable from http://www.helm.org.uk/coastaltowns.

Photograph of Hastings Seafront by  Chris Parker
© Hastings Tourism & Leisure Department  and Judges Postcards