Dear Beach4................................................................................................................................................. ..........................1st Oct 2007

I have just dropped my husband off at St Leonards station and your poster caught my eye. This is the first I have heard of the council's proposals for redevelopment - I have only been resident in the area for a year.  I feel the council, as ever are being short sighted, not thinking to the future or the possibilities for rejuvenation that your propsal has.  St Leonards is a beautiful area and the seashore is its crowning joy - let's find a way of using this resource for all to enjoy in an environmentally and tasteful fashion.

Yours Carolyn Markson
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Dear Beach4...........................................................................................................................................................................29th Sept 2007

Wow! What modern way to bring Hastings and West St Leonards into the new world. It is a remarkable idea.  One that would certainly put this
area back on the map and make it a strong competitor for tourism.  A development like this would certainly attract the more desirable
London tourist as well tourists from other counties.  It would encourage local residents to take pride of their surrounding area as
well as creating a far more pleasant place to live.  It would bring jobs and more economic stability to the region.  It would improve and
give aspirations to our youth who are unfortunate to live in areas such as Malvern Way. It would help to lift the sour stigma attached to
St Leonards and Hastings: drugs, poverty, violence and unemployment. Why can we not have this?  Would it not clean St Leonards seafront of the drunks and drug users?

Many thanks to you all for putting forward this proposal.
Cordelia Macmillan
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Hi ...........................................................................................................................................................................................24th Sept 2007

A temporary skating rink is a great idea.  I have recently moved from London where they have started springing up all over the place and are
really popular and get you in the Xmas winter spirit.  If you need any help with anything let me know.  It would really establish you as being
serious about your proposals too rather than just people with some nice plans.

For me the reason West St Leonards would be a good site is because firstly it needs regeneration and secondly it is great to be right by
the seafront.  As I said in my earlier letter, there is a serious lack of stuff right by the seafront in the area.  It would be really good to
have something a bit more sophisticated rather than the usual tackiness that prevails.  By the way I was talking to the save the pier people the other day and they were telling me their ideas for the pier and they said that firstly people want amusements on the pier.  To me it is such an outdated concept and one thing that Hastings already is plenty of amusement arcades.  For me this is why I love your idea because it is
progressive and could be fun as well as aesthetically beautiful rather than just ideas set in the past.

You didn't attach the letter by the way.

The original owners sold the salon to Michael Warshaw in the 80's who turned it into retail only.  He then sold the company to a japanese
group so it is all very different now!

Anyway, good luck and let me know if you need any help with anything.

Jo
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Dear Beach Four, ...............................................................................................................................................................20th Sept 2007

I am very pleased to see such an active movement for the benefit of the West Marina area. Regeneration is required. That is a given, and high quality social and leisure facilities very necessary.  I lend my support to your suggestions of a natural pool (I think it an excellent idea), spa, hotel and restaurants etc.

I'm not, however, quite so sure about your suggestions of a retirement village and prefer an option of high quality accommodation aimed at those with money, of all ages. I would be very interested to understand your thinking on this and how you came to the decision of a retirement Village.

I would also be very interested to understand what is currently happening and where the council currently sits. Have the plans already been passed.? What is the process to go through? Have architects seen and approved your plans? Have your plans been costed? Does the council recognise them as a legitimate alternative? I am quite in the dark and would like to be in a position of knowledge so that I can help if the opportunity arose.

I fully support the aim to regenerate the area and provide facilities that will bring jobs and money into the area, whilst making it an area of beauty and special charm.

I live in London but own a top flat in Grosvenor Gardens. Whilst I am rarely in the area, I am very keen for the area to flourish and for the ‘right' regeneration scheme to be approved. My background is in PR.

How can I best help you?

Please can you keep me informed of events and progress.

Kind regards and thank you,

Lynn
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Dear Beach.................................................................................................................................................................................................10th Aug 2007

As a resident of Seaside road, I was horrified to see what the council proposed.  I attach the response and what I sent to the council, regarding my views on their proposal for housing in front of our houses.  I really do feel that the response I have had is not good enough and just shows how much public consideration they are willing to actually take.  Most disappointing.  Hopefully a lot of the views I expressed were similar to yours and other residents.  I have seen the poster in many of the windows in my neighbours houses for Beach Four, and I have to say I would wholly support the Eco pool/ice rink and low level accommodation suggested.  It seems to be much more suited for this area and more suitable for the residents.  Would it be possible to have a little more information?  Do we know whether this proposal is being genuinely considered? Look forward to the information,

Yours faithfully,
Ms Cheryl Harris
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Dear Sir/Madam ,.......................................................................................................................................................................................10th Aug 2007

Very  happy  to hear  about  this  great project , something  that  will make  St.Leonards  interesting  and make  more attractive  to  visit  and  stay at  . Hope  this  plan  gets a lot  of  support  and gets going  soon .We  do  need this  plan  to succeed .Good luck .Regular  visitor to  the  seaside

.Aley Thomas.
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Spa at St Leonards......................................................................................................................................................................................8th Aug 2007

The time is right for a Spa in this region. There are enough elderly and disabled people within this region for whom a Spa would be a lifeline. In addition Hastings and St Leonards need a new selling point to attract a new category of day visitors and tourists, those who would come for the new South coast Spa experience. A Shuttle service along the seafront would be an additional, and long needed, adjunct to the facility. I visit Budapest, a city famous for its Spas, where tourists mingle with local residents in a variety of baths, pools, saunas and steam rooms. Resteraunts, cafes, shops, hotels follow from this. Wouldnt it be wonderful.

Anything I can do?
Duncan Curtis.
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Hi there..........................................................................................................................................................................................................3rd Aug 2007 

Really like the idea of the eco bathing pool etc, good luck in the campaign.
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HI laverne......................................................................................................................................................................................................2nd Aug 2007

WELL DONE YOU everyone i speak to is for your scheme I gave out leaflets along the beach huts and have been asked for more I will give you
£10.00.when i see you ive tried to get money from this lot but apart from zoe they havent bothered never mind we will fight on what about heli pad at fairlight

Regards polly x
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Dear Beach...................................................................................................................................................................................................1st Aug 2007

As temperatures rise and it gets too hot to go to the Med it would be lunacy Not to rebuild an outdoor pool on the old site.  It is the best opportunity we have to really refocus interest in the town given the large number of wasted opportunitites over the last half century. I only hope enough of us sign up to put pressure on the LA to see sense.

Dr Brian Hick
Sally Hick
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Hi..................................................................................................................................................................................................................23rd July 2007

I was just on my way home in the rain  when I spotted your poster in the marina and it made me feel really positive about the local area again, what a great idea and exactly what this town needs.

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

Amanda (Dane rd)
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Yes to Eco Pool................................................... .......................... ............................... ............... ............................ .............................20th July 2007

Thanks for putting your leaflet through my door, I didn't know about any proposals. I am 100% intereted in your plans. As a regular, for exercise swimmer and a sea swimmer, when conditions permit I'm really excited. I hope that the pool will be of a minimun 25metre length, anything smaller just isn't worth it for the proper swimmers, these people will I'm sure support the pool should it be built and in the meantime give your plans a boost. This morning I wondered if you had targeted Summerfields with an awareness campaign at all? there are lap swimmers there all day long especially at the adult lane times. Lots of people have mentioned the need for more swimming facilities. The idea for a sailing centre is also great for the community, schools could take regular slots for PE etc. Ice skating would be great too, London's new winter skating rinks are always busy, and bring in considerable takings. Where can I find out more about this proposal? How many people are invoved in your campaign? How much support do you have? I am writing today to the Observer and the Planning officer. 

 Keep me posted, Tracy Templeton
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Polly to Beach 4

I have just seen your poster and looked at your web site and i think it would be fantastic for  not only the immediate area but also for hastings.we live direct opposite this site and we were told that housing must not overtake leisure,this was apparently said by the ombudsman at an earlier meeting with him.I feel if housing goes on this site we will see a definite increase in crime in this area.I cant beleive hastings council they have had so much money thrown at them yet we dont even have a toiletb for people to use along any stretch of the seafront i watch people going to toilet every day on the beach opposite me but they have no where else to go .its time hastings council woke up we are a seaside town after all.my partner has to keep his canue in a club in the old town as there are absoloutley no facilities along this end for boating or anything else to do with the sea.i have left messages for councilor finch on his answering machine asking him to contact me as he said that he has had a meeting with marina park residents about the future of this site and that we had no objections to the proposal,well we have had no such meeting with any councilor .i will spread the good word and hopefully you can let us have some posters that we can take around to show in prominent places

Regards polly
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Eco Bathing Pool/Hotel Spa...................................................................................................... ..............................................................19th July 2007

I would like to support the proposal for eco bathing pool/hotel spa and leisure facilities as proposed by Beach.

Shelagh Rolland
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Hi there, .......................................................................................................................................................................................................19th July 2007

I would really love to support your idea. Please let me know, if and how I could get involved except of writing to the council,
which I will do anyway. I am a film maker and photographer with my own equipment and am happy to produce something
visual which could support the campaign, maybe a short documentary which we could try to bring into Hastings free TV or
other TV channeld on the internet in order to gain awareness and support.
I am available until 8th of August and then again from 21st of August.

Please feel free to call me or check out clips of my projects on www.makrisfilms.com .

Anita Makris
Makris Films
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Hello...............................................................................................................................................................................................................19th July 2007

I think anything that retains the charm and quality of our town is a definite improvement on the councils plans; if we're not careful the town will become a Margate-esque (or is it Ramsgate?) honky tonk horror and not even tourists will want to come!

A sympathetic understanding of old architecture and restoration is what is called for in any future improvements, the Old Town still has it's charm but even that is in danger of being eroded by careless development.

People can see modern buildings and shopping centres in any town in the country, they come to the Old Town to see unspoilt old buildings and any commercial units that exist shoulld be in keeping with the general feel of the area.

We have one of the most beautiful Victorian towns in the south and all efforts should be made to maintain our heritage, in the buildings, parks and surrounding amenities.

The bathing pool site is possibly one of the most important in the area, that part of town certainly does need regeneration but that means attracting tourism and trade into the area, the seafront promenade just trails off into a no mans land at London Road, straggles on at the Marina building and grinds to a halt just beyond. If there was a reason for people to carry on (a lovely spa type bathing pool) then the whole area would be brought back to life.

Building a bunch of high rise flats is just going to ghetto-ise the area. I've said enough! Good luck with your campaign.

Linda McDuffie
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.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................18th July 2007

We agree entirely with your proposals but are a little concerned at the possibly of a vested interest in such a development given that you have circulated and published a website giving such professional details? Sorry to be so cynical, but if you can assure us on this point we shall be happy to add our names to your petition if it's still being formed and also to express our view to the council and the Observer.

Jeff & Pauline
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Eco Pool/Hotel Spa....................................................................................................................................................................................17th July 2007

Just what St. Leonards needs would really be a great tourist attraction.

Marianne
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.Brilliant Idea.................................................................................................................................................................................................17th July 2007..

Live local to the area and it would be wonderful a real gem in St Leonards crown

Ven Wood
Operations Performance Asst
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Dear Beach Huts,....................................................................................................................................................................................... 14th July 2007

Great news; well done; anything that improves the seafront and 'ups' the public face of Hastings and ST. L then we are in favour.
Better we start to be more upwardly mobile than stuck in a social services nightmare of a council that is run by failures for failures.  More positive thinking and positive action.

 best wishes Michael
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Hi there,............................................................................................................................................................................................................9th July 2007

What a welcome sight was first, your poster in Marina shop windows (where I rarely have a chance to look), and then to log on at home and look for a bit longer to take it in. While not agreeing with every idea, I think this is the best all-round plan I've ever seen, inclusive of some aspects we, the born locals, have been begging for all our lives. I personally cannot cope with the sheer blind and grasping unpleasantness of local polititians, after having had to give up trying to save the Cricket Ground when house owners nearby were coming to me in tears, their living gone. The council will sell off anything that will 1. Save them having to pay for it  2. Get them the money to build something cheap and nasty. It was the same with those fabulous beach chalets, and will be with the old Observer Office and St Mary in the Castle (I sing with HPC whose chosen venue this has always been), not to mention the South Saxons Wetlands - the stated intention to build on a flood plain, let alone ruin a Nature Site, defies belief. So, to cut a long letter short, although I can't do much in practical terms to help BEACH, you have my absolutely full support. I'll spread this around as much as possible too, because although I saw what the Observer printed, and there've been a couple of same subject letters since, it just isn't loud enough. One question though - haven't we always found it difficult to attract investors into such schemes because it so much more lucrative to cram in housing, or is it the Council making it impossible to proceed with interests other than its own?

Regards Sue Sully
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Dear Sirs......................................................................................................................................................................................................25th June 2007

I have seen a few of your posters around West St Leonards about re opening a Lido and/skate rink.  I have tried on numberous occasions to contact Council members etc regarding the re opening of these facilities for people/teenagers here, we still visit Streatham ice Rink regularly as the nearest to us!  As yet, I have never received a response from any council member with any information about this. I have looked on the website for you but there is no way to downloads this poster.  I know of many places and many people throughout the town to put these posters and would be happy to know where to collect them from for this reason. I would like to hear from you with any plans there are for this and where abouts you are with the coucil in favour of doing just this.

yours faithfully Shel
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Dear La Verne.............................................................................................................................................................................................25th April 2007

Thank you for your letter about the development about the old bathing pool site in West St Leonards, which we received in the office on the 22nd of April 2007.

Hastings College would like to support the residents of West St Leonards and their alternative proposal of having a central point consisting of a lido/spa which will provide the local community with much needed facilities as you describe.

We wish you well with your petition.

Yours sincerely
Sue Middlehurst
Principal Hastings College.
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Dear La Verne.............................................................................................................................................................................................25th April 2007

Thank you for your letter dated the 23rd April, enclosing details for the Hastings Council plans for the old bathing pool site.

We think your alternative plans are wonderful and we are prepared to support you in any way we can. We will endeavour to let our parents have all the information within the next few days.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need our help again and please keep us informed of your progress in this matter.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Angela O'Connor
Head Teacher
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
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Dear Mrs Logan

Thank you for your letter regarding the old bathing pool site. I am very sorry that my busy schedule has prevented us from meeting. However I fully support the proposals for a swimming pool nearby. The children and families in this area have to travel to Summerfields or Glyn Gap to swim in a pool, both a long track on foot and for many the cost of travelling to and fro makes these venues inaccessible.

From our point of view delivering swimming as part of our corriculum poses difficulties due to the cost of coaches. In some cases families cannot afford to contribute towards costs and ultimately the school has to fund any short-fall. A lido on our doorstep would certainly benefit our school community and add a new dimension to our Healthy Schools Agenda.

The part of ice skating as part of the school corriculum has never occured to me before but sounds great fun.

Please add my name to your list of signatures and keep me informed of your progress whenever you are able.

Yours sincerely
Mrs T D Moore Head Teacher
Collinswood Drive
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Dear Beach

On the 11th march i was down at the marathon when a lady told us about what could be being put at the old baving pool area which i think is great would defiantly give people something to do in the area as well as other people from around sussex i use to work at the old ice rink before it got closed down and enjoyed it there so much if the plans got put through for this i would be first inline to apply for a job please could you send me some petition forms to the address below and any other information as i no lots of people that would sign it and could then give them back to you

Yours Sincerely Ben Wren.