Exciting Ideas for Seafront Development Presented.

- Fri 3rd Feb 2006

HIRA had a packed hall on Thursday, 20th January, for its quarterly meeting where ideas were put forward that could affect the role and appearance of Hayling seafront for many years to come. Its purpose was to present to Islanders the near-final ideas for Eastoke Corner and to outline possible developments for the future if a key lottery bid is successful. Martin Peacock and Paul Ramshaw, both of Havant Borough Council (HBC), made the main presentations.

Paul Fisher, HIRA chairman, introduced the speakers and emphasised that the work being described relating to Eastoke Corner started as the result of Hayling, via its Community Board, making a successful submission for substantial funding from the Liveability grant. This had been bid for earlier by HBC. Hayling had the largest tranche of that fund and the Eastoke Corner scheme was supported by all Borough Community Board members as the top funding submission.

 Eastoke Corner.
Martin Peacock explained the rationale for the scheme. This was based on the ideas that the area was tired and rather unattractive as there was far too much tarmac and that, even though it was close to the beach, there was no real link to that beach. This was partly because there was no attractive, high, focal point from which to view the sea. The scheme aims to rectify these limitations and to turn the whole area into a coherent place for people to meet and view the attractions of Hayling.

 While this article does not present the diagrams and plans that were shown (they are available on the Havant web site under Liveability), the essential starting point is to remove the dual carriageway and its large area of road surface and reclaim that space for pedestrians. This space is then to be linked to the existing sea defences at the top of the slope. At the lower level there will be hard surfacing and the slope up will be largely wood planking with a 30 year life. At the top will be the sea viewing area. These two areas will cover most of the space between the shops and the existing car park entrance.

 Included in the space will be modified car parking layouts, detailed landscaping and level separation. A sculpture overlooking the sea will be on the upper level. This will be a 2m. high sundial with a gnomon in the form of a sail and will also include a direction indicator to the main visible points of interest. The overall work is expected to start in April within the present funding. It is hoped to extend the scheme further when circumstances allow.

 When completed, Eastoke Corner should became a main point of tourist interest on the Island and show the way towards some degree of renaissance for Hayling as a visitor attraction

In the discussion that followed a number of points were raised. These related to the access to Bembridge Drive, parking and allowing for water run-off due to possible wave overtopping. On this last point, the work being planned for later this year or soon after should largely prevent this being a problem in future.

Much of the above will not be new to people who have been following the development of this scheme over the past year. It does however allow us to record the enthusiasm for this project as something that would considerable benefit Hayling. The next item takes this improvement concept and possibilities into a totally different level if it is successful.

£25M Lottery bid.              
As the Lottery fund does not always seem to know how to spend its funds, it has set up a programme called ‘Living Landmarks’ to improve people’s living environments with practical schemes that will enhance our work and recreational spaces.

Paul Ramshaw described how HBC became aware of this programme in October and after as much discussion as possible in the time available put together a bid for just under £25M, (the upper limit available) and submitted it successfully before Christmas.

The aim is to extend some of the ideas already being bandied around, but to put them under an overall umbrella and to hang the total proposal onto an eye-catching theme to draw the attention of the adjudicators. The idea was to celebrate the origins of sail boarding on Hayling and to have a scheme in place in time to bring Hayling into the awareness of the Olympic visitors in 2012.

This seems to be a very good idea as I am sure many Islanders will appreciate. It should not of course be overlooked that HISC already has strong links with this event and together, the profile of Hayling as a water sports centre could be considerably enhanced.

Paul stated that if the initial phase of the bid is successful, participants will be given £250K and 12 months in which to carry out a full feasibility and outline design study. During this phase it is essential that the community provides considerable input and support.

The key element of the plan is likely to be a water sports centre somewhere to the west of Central Beachlands that will provide all the supporting services needed for such a role. This will be a focal landmark building capable of providing a worthy addition to those already given  by the Golf House and Sailing Club buildings. Thus it would include changing facilities, catering, sales and servicing, conference & presentation facilities etc. It is also likely to provide improved Tourism Offices, a visitor centre for the SSSI, a station on the possibly extended railway and even a Hayling Museum.

English Heritage is also considering some participation and there are moves afoot to bring the Crescent back to its former glory.

There will be many opportunities for other improvements along the beach, another key one being a promenade walk from Eastoke to the ferry. This will not be a concrete sea wall but will be provided by careful siting of viewing areas along the beach linked by parts of the roads and paths already present along the beach. It will allow total mobility for disabled users. Improvements to the Billy Trail would also be part of the scheme.

While it is recognised that participation in this scheme is certainly not guaranteed, it is felt that the groundwork would provide a very good opportunity to plan the future of Hayling as a place for visitors to come in the 21st century. It would also provide input to an integrated coastal management plan.

Any successful programme requires 25% matched funding but HBC are confident this can be obtained. HBC have been in touch with Pete Chilvers, the originator of sail boarding and he has agreed to assist in presenting and progressing the bid. This could give a huge degree of credibility to the bid.

Paul Fisher confirmed considerable support for all the suggestions and thanked Martin and Paul for their contributions and time. Other, related items, which it had been intended to address, were left to a future meeting.

Tony Higham.

Main contacts:

Chairman: Paul Fisher 92461412

Membership: Shirley Adams 92462881

Notice Board: Lois Neale 92469339

Reporter: Tony Higham 92464723.

By forum user, PaulFisher