Hollenden House

The long-standing eyesore in Buckhurst Road could be demolished to make way for 71 flats with gardens and parking space.

Hastings-based developer The Park Lane Group has bought the property and hopes to replace the existing building with 43 private and 28 affordable 'environmentally friendly' homes.

The plans include flat green roofs to provide a varied habitat for insects and birdlife and help control storm water. These will complement a rainwater harvesting system and harvested water will be used throughout the development for toilet flushing.

This week the designs and proposals went on display in the Manor Barn so members of the public could have their say in the early stages of the planning process.

Ready to hear their views was Jon Williams, of Kember Loudon Williams Town Planning Consultants.

He thought reaction to the exhibition had been "good".

"The whole aim is to engage with local residents and put on an exhibition for people to come along and see what the proposals are about, and to hear their views and be able to answer their questions, and get some sort of feedback and feeling about the scheme. There have been a lot of very positive comments about the design."

He said there had been some issues raised by neighbours concerning noise and traffic as was "always the case with new developments".

"In 32 years of planning work, these are the sort of concerns that residents will be looking at - how it will affect them.

"On the other hand there has been some very good comments made about the design. The feeling is today has been very worthwhile and people have responded positively to what we are doing and that is reassuring."

David Davis of DJD Architects also attended the exhibition and said the design of the flats had a strong 1930's influence in keeping with buildings along the coast.

"We were after a seaside flavour to the architecture," he said, "Shades of Poirot."

Examining the drawings and plans for the development, John Fowler of Clifford Road said: "I feel sorry for the people in Rayford Court - they are going to be somewhat overshadowed by this enormous building."

Richard and Carol Kirkham from Tunbridge Wells came to look because they are like to keep tabs on property in the area. Richard said: "We are very interested in this - we have also got a place in Eastbourne as well. We look around and make sure we see nice places, so as soon as we walked in we thought - this is Bexhill."

Carol added: "Thinking of the De La Warr Pavilion we thought this has carried on from there...I think the affordable housing is ideal for young people who have grown up here and are starting families of their own, who can't afford to buy in Bexhill - I think this is ideal. I think they could have affordable housing which gives them a start in the property market, which is what we all want for youngsters."

Betty Ingham commented: "Anything is better that was is there now. I live quite close - it looks awful as it is now, all boarded up with the grass knee-high."

Russell Beswick, Managing Director of The Park Lane Group, was pleased that more than 150 residents viewed the plans at the Manor Barn and responded with positive comments.

He said: "We strongly feel, as did the vast majority of visitors, that this striking and ecologically friendly development will complement and add to the character of Bexhill Town Centre, and The Park Lane Group are excited and proud to be involved in this project."