Councillors defer decision on Eastbourne Bandstand works

Councillors have put off a decision on plans connected to Eastbourne Bandstand.

On Tuesday (September 16), Eastbourne Borough Council’s planning committee had been due to discuss a pair of applications seeking permission for “essential safety and improvement work” intended to lead to the reopening of the much-loved Grade II listed building.

Part of these works are expected to involve the demolition of “structurally unsafe elements” of the bandstand, including degraded columns, beams, and slabs located on the lower, middle, and upper promenade levels.

This element of the works had proven to be controversial with several organisations, including the Meads Community Association, the Eastbourne Society and The Twentieth Century Society — all of which had raised concerns about whether enough had been done to explore alternatives to demolition.

Despite these concerns, officers had initially recommended the works, proposed by the council itself, be granted both planning permission and listed building consent, subject to further.

The day before the meeting, however, officers published an updated recommendation, asking councillors to instead defer their discussion until the council could receive a formal response from the heritage body Historic England.

As the meeting began, the council’s head of planning Neil Collins said: “At the time of the committee report being finalised, the time of the scheduling of this committee item, it was uncertain whether a response from Historic England, the consultee, would be received.

“I think there is general consensus that we want Eastbourne Bandstand back in use as early as possible, therefore this was scheduled with the possibility that [response] might be at the disposal of members when we considered the item.

“What the addendum does is confirm we don’t have that response yet, that we have liaised with Historic England and we have a date in the diary for a site visit for Historic England to look at the building in detail and to liaise with them and await a formal written response.

“Because we know that is [due to take place] after this meeting that is what has led to the change in recommendation, which I can confirm is to defer this application for consideration at a future planning committee meeting.”

This updated recommendation was supported by committee chairman Hugh Parker (Lib Dem).

Cllr Parker said “I think it is very important that this particular situation is thoroughly discussed and that people have an opportunity to put their views forward in a co-ordinated and sensible manner.

“We cannot discuss properly, in my view, something which has incomplete information. I think we need that final comment or set of comments from Historic England to put their perspective on the whole consideration.

“So this isn’t shutting down any kind of discussion, this is simply saying we can have the discussion — full, open, frank and the correct democratic approach — on another day.”

A deferral was unanimously agreed by the committee when put to the vote.

Before the vote, Conservative councillor Jane Lamb (Meads) asked officers whether they would use the deferral to also undertake further consultation with The Twentieth Century Society about the proposals. Mr Collins confirmed this would take place.

For further information see applications 250412 and 250413 on the Eastbourne Borough Council website.