Bexhill Town Profile - Rother District Council

uildings and high density housing, following relocation of the secondary
school. The balance and layout of development is proposed to be the subject
of a Planning Brief.
Core Strategy – Consultation on Strategy Directions
3.6 The ‘Consultation on Strategy Directions’ (2008) followed the ‘Issues and
Options’ document (2006) and proposed the appropriate vision and strategy
for Bexhill. It aims to address the weaknesses in the local economy and
improve the economic and social well-being of Bexhill, whilst fully respecting
and sensitively managing its independence from Hastings and retaining the
historic character of the town.
Aim and Objectives in the Preferred Strategy
To strengthen the identity of Bexhill and for it to become one of
the most attractive places to live on the south coast, attractive
to families, the young and elderly alike, within an integrated
approach to securing a more prosperous future for the Bexhill
and Hastings areas.
Objectives:
To foster a more balanced demographic profile while at the same time
providing for the needs of older people;
I. To improve the quality of the built environment;
II. To increase the range of local job opportunities;
III. To secure investment in improved community infrastructure;
IV. To ensure that development strengthens the identity of the town and its
character.
Strategy
3.7 As well as meeting the changing needs of the existing populace, the strategy
needs to look at ways in which to widen the appeal of Bexhill, with specific
regard to the availability of jobs as well as housing, quality and accessibility of
education and training, supporting active lifestyles.
3.8 It needs to address the town’s relatively low incomes, primarily by increasing
earning potential, but also recognise low household incomes, especially as
many people are on fixed incomes. Parts of Sidley, and also Central ward fall
within the worst 20% of areas in terms of certain indices of deprivation. The
area is ranked poorly for child poverty in particular. Particular attention
should be given to parts of the town that demonstrate forms of deprivation, to
reduce economic disparities.
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