Temporary scaffold support at West Hill Lift, George Street, Hastings

What was proposed

The application sought five-year retention of scaffold and roof supports, consolidation works to a steel beam, and replacement of bearing plates.

“AGENDA ITEM NO: 4 (a) Report to: PLANNING COMMITTEE Date of Meeting: September 2025 Report from: Planning Services Manager Application address:West Hill Lift, George Street, Hastings, TN34 3EA Proposal:Temporary (5 year) retention of scaffold structure which provides additional support to existing temporary and other roof support structure to Upper Station, Old Motor Room. Retention of consolidation works to steel ceiling beam.”

“The application proposes a renewal of the temporary (5-year) listed building consent (HS/LB/19/00699) for the retention of the scaffolding and Acrow prop supports (a temporary steel support strut) which are providing additional support to existing temporary and other roof support structure to the Old Motor Room at the Upper Station. The roof of the Old Motor room is part of the floor to the café above the Old Motor Room.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The works concern the upper part of the Grade II listed West Hill Lift within the Old Town conservation area.

“Site and surrounding area The Grade II listed West Hill Lift, which is within the Old Town conservation area, is located between the lower terminus building in George Street and the upper terminus building on the West Hill, next to the adjacent, connected vacant café building that is north-west of the historic Old Town, immediately north-east of the Grade I listed Hastings Castle, and within the site of the Hastings Castle, the Collegiate Church of St Mary and the Ladies'…”

“Constraints ·SSSI Impact Risk Zone - relevant threshold not exceeded ·Old Town Conservation Area (01) ·Grade II Listed Building ·Scheduled Monument 20m Buffer ·Land Stability Cliff and Slope Buffer ·Archaeological Notification Area Listing Details Listing Number: 1043546 Date of First Listing: September 1976 GEORGE STREET 1. 5204 (North Side) West Hill Lift TQ 8209 SW 14/588 TQ 8209 NW 7/588 II GV 2. 1902.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Planning Officer presented the application, and councillors were shown plans and photographs of the site.

Committee discussion and proposal

The committee was told that the scaffold remained safe with maintenance, was inside the building, and would allow time for permanent solutions.

“The application seeks to renew the listed building consent for the existing scaffolding supporting the structure. The Committee were informed that the proposed works constitute general maintenance which includes replacing the timber bearing plates which sit between the scaffold and the supported structures and the floor.”

“In response to the Conservation Officer’s objection to indefinite consent the applicant agreed to a temporary five-year consent to allow time for further consideration of permanent solutions, aligned with other projects at the West Hill lift and café site. With the proposed conditions in place, the renewal of listed building consent for five years is considered acceptable and is recommended for approval.”

Minutes

The decision

Listed building consent was granted for retention until 18 September 2030, with reasons protecting the listed building’s special interest.

“The retention of the existing temporary supports hereby approved shall be for a period not exceeding 5 Years from the date of this consent, and listed building consent will expire on 18 September 2030.”

“To ensure that special regard is paid to protecting the special architectural and historic interest of the Grade II listed building…”

Minutes

Conditions and future action

The consent requires prompt repairs, six-monthly scaffold inspections, structural engineer advice if problems arise, and a future permanent support proposal.

“In the event that, during an inspection, the certificated scaffold inspector notices unexpected movement, or further debris on the swept floor, a structural engineer must be consulted within one month of the inspection. Any remedial works identified by the structural engineer must then be carried out in accordance with timescales and methods advised.”

“The applicant is advised that on or before the expiry of this listed building consent, a new proposal shall be submitted to the local authority for approval that is considered to be a permanent solution regarding structural support.”

Minutes