The architect for the Observer Building 53 Cambridge Road was Henry Ward ARIBA - go to the Henry Ward pages for more information and images CLICK HERE
The Observer Building - Regeneration Proposals
The White Rock Trust is working to drive forward the regeneration of the Observer building at 53 Cambridge Road Hastings. The building in Cambridge Road was the offices and printing works of F.J.Parsons who printed the Hastings Observer as well as many other titles. The building that has a Hathernware frontage was designed by local architect Henry Ward and opened in 1924 replacing the printworks a short distance away in Claremont adjacent to the Brassey Institute (Hastings Library).
For details of a potential regeneration plan by "Jericho Road Solutions " click HERE. Over some thirty years whilst the building has been vacant there have been several planning applications. The most recent application by Landcorp that involved the demolition of the building including the Hathernware frontage was approved by the Hastings Planning Board 14th November 2006.
Although the proposals by Flint Development Group , consultation Jericho Road Solutions may encounter hostility from some people because of the increased height of the building many people who would like to see the Hathernware frontage by local architect Henry Ward preserved may hope that the Hastings planners & the Planning Board will look upon the current proposals as an opportunity to start dialogue before an application in order to preserve what is there and provide a multi use modern building of benefit to the community. The type of solution that Seachange of Sussex has never even considered.
Following the the consultation before a planning application was submitted the latest proposals for development of the former Observer building were made public on 8th December 2015 and the article by Hastings Online Times provides revised artist impressions and comment where the reduced height of the building and reduced amount of student accommodation is shown.
Below are images of the Observer frontage revealed on 8th December 2015 and further down the page earlier images that had more height.
The application HS/FA/16/1042 received at HBC in December 2015 was withdrawn by the applicant but another application HS/FA/16/00367 that was received by HBC on 20th May 2016 was is being considered 20th March 2017 and is Proposed change of use and roof extension to existing building. To provide mixed use development comprising Artist Studio (Lower Ground), Shared Residents Gymnasium (Mezzanine), Restaurant & Shop (Ground) and 50 flats with private roof terrace. Proposal includes ancillary reception, common facilities and cycle storage/ shared car parking with ancillary plant and servicing facilities and external alterations. | Former Observer building, 53 Cambridge Road, Hastings, TN34 1HZ.
For details of a potential regeneration plan by "Jericho Road Solutions " click HERE. Over some thirty years whilst the building has been vacant there have been several planning applications. The most recent application by Landcorp that involved the demolition of the building including the Hathernware frontage was approved by the Hastings Planning Board 14th November 2006.
Although the proposals by Flint Development Group , consultation Jericho Road Solutions may encounter hostility from some people because of the increased height of the building many people who would like to see the Hathernware frontage by local architect Henry Ward preserved may hope that the Hastings planners & the Planning Board will look upon the current proposals as an opportunity to start dialogue before an application in order to preserve what is there and provide a multi use modern building of benefit to the community. The type of solution that Seachange of Sussex has never even considered.
Following the the consultation before a planning application was submitted the latest proposals for development of the former Observer building were made public on 8th December 2015 and the article by Hastings Online Times provides revised artist impressions and comment where the reduced height of the building and reduced amount of student accommodation is shown.
Below are images of the Observer frontage revealed on 8th December 2015 and further down the page earlier images that had more height.
The application HS/FA/16/1042 received at HBC in December 2015 was withdrawn by the applicant but another application HS/FA/16/00367 that was received by HBC on 20th May 2016 was is being considered 20th March 2017 and is Proposed change of use and roof extension to existing building. To provide mixed use development comprising Artist Studio (Lower Ground), Shared Residents Gymnasium (Mezzanine), Restaurant & Shop (Ground) and 50 flats with private roof terrace. Proposal includes ancillary reception, common facilities and cycle storage/ shared car parking with ancillary plant and servicing facilities and external alterations. | Former Observer building, 53 Cambridge Road, Hastings, TN34 1HZ.
Images of Observer Building
are from application HS/FA/15/1042
An application for a planning permission for 53 Cambridge Road has now reached the stage where a recommendation to grant permission will be heard by the Planning Board on Thursday 14th December 2017. The officers report is available to view at the Hastings planning website. HS/FA/16/00367