Arthur Swift & Partners - Hastings Civic Centre
Below plans developed in the 1960s are considered in detail but it is useful to consider proposals developed in the 1930s that are described by Ion Castro that describe new roads and buildings in a Hastings Observer history story - Hastings Could have looked very different..
In the mid 1960s Hastings Borough had a grand vision to develop a civic complex on the 46.65 acre Summerfields Estate that they had purchased. A report, Hastings Civic Centre Architectural & Planning by Arthur Swift & Partners (Chartered Architects & Planning Consultants - 21 Upper Grosvenor Street London W1) was commissioned by HBC and published in April 1967 it identified the the types of users who might get incorporated into a series of new civic buildings located on the land that had been acquired. An 18 page preliminary report entitled "Civic Centre for the Borough of Hastings " was prepared by Arthur Swift & Partners dated 21st March 1967. The General Purposes Committee dealt with the Summerfields Civic Development on dates 18th April & 30th May 1967. This particular adventure in town planning was not the first ambitious scheme to ultimately hit the buffers. In October 1946 as Hastings settled down after years of war Borough Engineer Sidney Little was promoting "Double Deck City" with ambitious plans of roads through the centre of Hastings.
It would appear like many consultants reports that the reccomendations were based on wild guesses where in 1967 they calculated the population of Hastings would increase to 150,000 residents.Changes to local government structure caused by the Local Government Reform Act in April 1974 affected the need for many departments but the original plan was to provide 100,000 sq ft of office space to accomadate 500 staff with the option of an additional 50% increase of planned office space. The report envisaged 60 elected members of HBC (Hastings currently has 32) Space was allocated for a council chamber for the 60 members as well as members suite,committee rooms, mayoral suite and a public gallery.
The report considered a range of different civic uses relocating departments like the Fire & Ambulance Service to new purpose designed buildings. The main development was proposed to be centred on land between the North & South Lodges of the estate and that included the site of Bohemia Mansion.
The first building to be completed was the Ambulance Station due for construction Autumn 1967. A few months later the Fire Station we see today was opened. Interestingly the the Arthur Swift reports envisaged the retention of the North Lodge with the new Fire Station opening onto Bohemia Road but to the north of the lodge and gate pillars. The original design of the structure that was built retained the North Lodge but the existing location ensured demolition of the North Lodge. Interestingly it was another Fire Station at the ridge that caused the demolition the entrance to Coghurst Hall another Brisco home.
Below there are more details of how these buildings were to be built in phases.
In the mid 1960s Hastings Borough had a grand vision to develop a civic complex on the 46.65 acre Summerfields Estate that they had purchased. A report, Hastings Civic Centre Architectural & Planning by Arthur Swift & Partners (Chartered Architects & Planning Consultants - 21 Upper Grosvenor Street London W1) was commissioned by HBC and published in April 1967 it identified the the types of users who might get incorporated into a series of new civic buildings located on the land that had been acquired. An 18 page preliminary report entitled "Civic Centre for the Borough of Hastings " was prepared by Arthur Swift & Partners dated 21st March 1967. The General Purposes Committee dealt with the Summerfields Civic Development on dates 18th April & 30th May 1967. This particular adventure in town planning was not the first ambitious scheme to ultimately hit the buffers. In October 1946 as Hastings settled down after years of war Borough Engineer Sidney Little was promoting "Double Deck City" with ambitious plans of roads through the centre of Hastings.
It would appear like many consultants reports that the reccomendations were based on wild guesses where in 1967 they calculated the population of Hastings would increase to 150,000 residents.Changes to local government structure caused by the Local Government Reform Act in April 1974 affected the need for many departments but the original plan was to provide 100,000 sq ft of office space to accomadate 500 staff with the option of an additional 50% increase of planned office space. The report envisaged 60 elected members of HBC (Hastings currently has 32) Space was allocated for a council chamber for the 60 members as well as members suite,committee rooms, mayoral suite and a public gallery.
The report considered a range of different civic uses relocating departments like the Fire & Ambulance Service to new purpose designed buildings. The main development was proposed to be centred on land between the North & South Lodges of the estate and that included the site of Bohemia Mansion.
The first building to be completed was the Ambulance Station due for construction Autumn 1967. A few months later the Fire Station we see today was opened. Interestingly the the Arthur Swift reports envisaged the retention of the North Lodge with the new Fire Station opening onto Bohemia Road but to the north of the lodge and gate pillars. The original design of the structure that was built retained the North Lodge but the existing location ensured demolition of the North Lodge. Interestingly it was another Fire Station at the ridge that caused the demolition the entrance to Coghurst Hall another Brisco home.
Below there are more details of how these buildings were to be built in phases.
Plans for a new Civic Centre 1972
Plans for municipal offices ,civic hall ,art gallery & museum.
The Court and Police Headquarters did get built but the Civic Centre planned to be placed on the site of Summerfields House never occurred.
The staff at HBC appreciated the need and desirability to combine different offices around the town and to be able to own and control their own office space and to create new civic space for meetings and galleries but they could never understand that the retention of the old house with offices behind and around could have ensured that there were some building of quality within their proposed development.
It is clear that the retention of any historic assets was not a priority, but even the Arthur Swift report did not reccomend the demolition of existing buildings unless the space was required.
It was considered more appropriate to locate the Crown Offices, Public Library and Swimming Pool nearer to the town centre and in the case of a swimming pool near the seafront to cater for visitors.
Alongside the development of the Civic Complex were proposals to create new accesses to the area from the east with new roads entering Summerfields Wood from Linton Road and over what was then in the mid 60s open ground. Parking for 750 cars was achieved on a series of terraces down the hillside.
Within the report paragraph 2.5 referred to the future of Summerfields House saying "consideration must be given to the future of Summerfields House, whatever purpose it is put to it will have a limited economic life and it is possible a new building would need to be provided for any temporary user. If it is demolished prior to its site being required for Civic Centre Buildings the vacant land should be left tidied and some landscaping carried out."
Possible levels of development Map 1 Immediate build
Shown on map 1 the report envisaged an "Immediate Build" program. Three developments were identified to be built initially. The Ambulance Station was to be located adjacent to the highway. The initial build would also have included Law Courts and a Police Headquarters. This is the level of development that actually occurred and Summerfields House / Bohemia Mansion can be seen unaffected by any new buildings, to the north east of the Law Court.
Possible levels of development Map 2 Part Civic Centre
Shown on map 3 was a "Completed Civic Centre" showing buildings extending to the south near to the Law Court with a development area covering virtually the entire area between Bohemia & Briscos Walk.
at this phase it was intended to develop an alternative access for vehicles entering the area from Linton Road. Ultimately the entrance/exit from Bohemia would have been closed. The intention was to have a new highway that would have left Linton Road some 6 houses up from Linton Crescent and then crossing open land and Briscos Walk into the Civic Centre. This approach was proposed in order to create a more impressive approach to the centre and to "recognise the importance and dignity of the buildings".
at this phase it was intended to develop an alternative access for vehicles entering the area from Linton Road. Ultimately the entrance/exit from Bohemia would have been closed. The intention was to have a new highway that would have left Linton Road some 6 houses up from Linton Crescent and then crossing open land and Briscos Walk into the Civic Centre. This approach was proposed in order to create a more impressive approach to the centre and to "recognise the importance and dignity of the buildings".
Possible levels of development Map 3 Completed Civic Centre
Shown on map 3 was a "Completed Civic Centre" showing buildings extending to the south near to the Law Court with a development area covering virtually the entire area between Bohemia & Briscos Walk.
at this phase it was intended to develop an alternative access for vehicles entering the area from Linton Road. Ultimately the entrance/exit from Bohemia would have been closed. The intention was to have a new highway that would have left Linton Road some 6 houses up from Linton Crescent and then crossing open land and Briscos Walk into the Civic Centre. This approach was proposed in order to create a more impressive approach to the centre and to "recognise the importance and dignity of the buildings".
at this phase it was intended to develop an alternative access for vehicles entering the area from Linton Road. Ultimately the entrance/exit from Bohemia would have been closed. The intention was to have a new highway that would have left Linton Road some 6 houses up from Linton Crescent and then crossing open land and Briscos Walk into the Civic Centre. This approach was proposed in order to create a more impressive approach to the centre and to "recognise the importance and dignity of the buildings".
Possible levels of development Map 4 -Possible Further Growth
Shown on Map 4 entitled "Possible Further Growth" it showed more buildings to the east of the existing Law Court identified as a Conference Centre extending to a point level with the north of the Walled Garden. A further building identified as a Health Centre would have been fitted in on the Bohemia Road frontage between the Police Station and the Fire Station. The report claimed that the civic centre could grow as needs are established.
Arthur Swift - Landscaping 3.7
The Walled Garden at the top of the Ravine south of police HQ
Landscaping was considered in the Swift report under paragraph 3.7 saying there was a case for preserving the best trees and clearing away much of the undergrowth but without completely destroying the shelter provided at present.
There is a natural site in the ravine for an amphitheatre possibly with bandstand or perhaps for an arboretum.
At all events the various pools could form the basis for a water garden and the "Roman Bath" spring could be developed into an attractive feature. The pools could be used for balancing the surface water drainage system and the existing walled garden as a feature garden to take advantage of the sheltered space it encloses. It is hoped with proper plans will maintain the garden, parkland and open space retained will provide a visual asset to the town and pleasant walks between the civic and commercial areas.
Arthur Swift April 1967
There is a natural site in the ravine for an amphitheatre possibly with bandstand or perhaps for an arboretum.
At all events the various pools could form the basis for a water garden and the "Roman Bath" spring could be developed into an attractive feature. The pools could be used for balancing the surface water drainage system and the existing walled garden as a feature garden to take advantage of the sheltered space it encloses. It is hoped with proper plans will maintain the garden, parkland and open space retained will provide a visual asset to the town and pleasant walks between the civic and commercial areas.
Arthur Swift April 1967
Council Departments
The following details from the Swift report give an idea of the size of different departments.
Civic Suite of 20,000 sq ft with council chamber & public gallery,mayoral & members suite & committee rooms.
Town Clerk 16,000 sq ft
Borough Treasurer 16,000 sq ft
Engineers 16,000 sq ft
Medical Officer 16,000 sq ft
Education 16,000 sq ft
Housing 16,000 sq ft
Weights & Measures 16,000 sq ft
Civil Defence 16,000 sq ft
Museum & Art Gallery 25,000 sq ft Displays, lecture rooms,cloakroom,storeage all part of a cultural centre.
Large Hall 15,000 sq ft 1000 persons for exhibitions,boxing, music,theatre,dancing,public meetings.
Small Hall 500 sq ft 500 persons
Other facilities proposed for the Summerfields area were Health & Welfare services and a Central Youth Centre at the north of the site where the YMCA is situated.
With the museum being relocated from Johns Place to Summerfields it would have been possible to use the museum site to provide additional building space for the Royal East Sussex Hospital.
Another aspiration of Hastings Borough Council was for a conference centre. The hope was that it would "bring in out of season visitors to the town, but at present there is not the necessary suitable hotel accommodation for larger conferences than those housed at the White Rock Pavilion. This situation could improve and provision for a future conference centre has been allowed for." It is likely that this remains a long term aspiration of HBC and with the precedent of land swaps with the Foreshore Trust firmly established any new conference centre will not have delegates staying up in the hills but they will be able to step out of their hotel and walk along the beach to the conference. Most recently in 2014 now that Seaspace have packed their bags and gone the likelihood of a hotel on the beach and a place for conferences will remain as words within the piles of consultations that members of HBC have commissioned to bolster regeneration initiatives.
Civic Suite of 20,000 sq ft with council chamber & public gallery,mayoral & members suite & committee rooms.
Town Clerk 16,000 sq ft
Borough Treasurer 16,000 sq ft
Engineers 16,000 sq ft
Medical Officer 16,000 sq ft
Education 16,000 sq ft
Housing 16,000 sq ft
Weights & Measures 16,000 sq ft
Civil Defence 16,000 sq ft
Museum & Art Gallery 25,000 sq ft Displays, lecture rooms,cloakroom,storeage all part of a cultural centre.
Large Hall 15,000 sq ft 1000 persons for exhibitions,boxing, music,theatre,dancing,public meetings.
Small Hall 500 sq ft 500 persons
Other facilities proposed for the Summerfields area were Health & Welfare services and a Central Youth Centre at the north of the site where the YMCA is situated.
With the museum being relocated from Johns Place to Summerfields it would have been possible to use the museum site to provide additional building space for the Royal East Sussex Hospital.
Another aspiration of Hastings Borough Council was for a conference centre. The hope was that it would "bring in out of season visitors to the town, but at present there is not the necessary suitable hotel accommodation for larger conferences than those housed at the White Rock Pavilion. This situation could improve and provision for a future conference centre has been allowed for." It is likely that this remains a long term aspiration of HBC and with the precedent of land swaps with the Foreshore Trust firmly established any new conference centre will not have delegates staying up in the hills but they will be able to step out of their hotel and walk along the beach to the conference. Most recently in 2014 now that Seaspace have packed their bags and gone the likelihood of a hotel on the beach and a place for conferences will remain as words within the piles of consultations that members of HBC have commissioned to bolster regeneration initiatives.