Pavilion restoration and extension at De La Warr Pavilion, Marina, Bexhill

“There is an urgent need to repair and improve the Grade I Listed DLWP on Marina in Bexhill, make it more sustainable, and to ensure its viability going forward. The Council has been awarded funding through the Levelling Up Fund (LUF), with additional funding expected from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and on-going support from the Arts Council, to fund repairs and improvements, and secure its future as a key architectural, cultural, community and economic asset…”

“The proposals are summarised for both applications by the Applicant as follows – ““Phased internal and external restoration, refurbishment and alteration works to the existing building, including internal and external demolition works, reconfiguration works, an extension to the south-west of the pavilion building, associated plant and enclosures and hard and soft landscape works, including access improvements.” Section 3 of this report provides a more detailed…”

“The application site comprises the DLWP itself, the immediate access and staff parking area for DLWP to the north, the external terrace areas and lawns immediately to the south, and an internal access road and adjacent landscaping to the west. The eastern boundary of the application site would run parallel and close to the eastern edge of the DLWP.”

“There are numerous planning and listed building consents for DLWP. Of most significance are consents granted in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and some other consents of note, as follows: • Planning permission (ref. RR/97/1936/3R) and LBC (ref. RR/97/1937/L) were granted in 1998 for the refurbishment and extension of the pavilion. This scheme sought to provide a new centre for art and architecture.”

“The McAslan Scheme consents and work were informed by a Conservation Management Plan prepared by McAslan in 2000, the works aimed to restore the modernist character of the Pavilion and ensure its long term appropriate use as a public culture and leisure facility within a building of historic and architectural importance.”

“Each proposal has been considered in relation to the level of significance to the element in which it is located, and against any harm caused to the heritage asset. With a modernist building such as DLWP, with its uncomplicated design, fabric and materials, there is scope to make alterations that might not be possible in historic buildings of an earlier era. The proposals are assessed to cause either less than substantial harm or no harm to the heritage asset.”

“As such, in regard to the heritage balance, there would be some ‘less than substantial harm’ caused by some of the proposals, but in the balance these are outweighed – and comprehensively so - by the significant public benefits and the optimization of the viability of the uses.”

“A number of other bodies were consulted as required by legislation/procedure, including the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, Ancient Monuments Society, the Council for British Archaeology, the Georgian Group, the Victorian Society, and the Marine Management Organisation. No responses have been received from any of these bodies. If comments are received before the Planning Committee meeting, these will be reported as an update.”

“Site notices around the application site were erected on 16.7.25, a press notice was published on 18.7.25. No individual responses have been received, or responses from local interest or amenity groups.”

“RR/2025/1200/P: The Planning Committee was supportive of the officer’s recommendation, subject to conditions as outlined below.”

“Councillor Stanger moved the motion to GRANT (Full Planning Permission) subject to conditions and this was seconded by Councillor Gray.”

“DECISION: GRANT (FULL PLANNING PERMISSION)”