Green Light Given To Demolish Hastings Castle Visitor Centre

Plans to demolish the visitor centre at Hastings Castle have been approved by Hastings Borough Council.

The decision, published on Monday (October 27), gives the go-ahead to Deep Sea Leisure Ltd — the council’s tenant — to completely dismantle and remove the Visitor Interpretation Centre from the historic site.

The plywood-clad building, which was originally approved in 1989, has been described as reaching the end of its life and would require a full rebuild if kept.

Under the approved plans, the structure will be taken down, leaving behind its masonry base.

Safety railings will be added around the platform, which will remain in place as a temporary space for public events until long-term plans for the castle are finalised.

In their report, the council’s conservation officer described the existing visitor centre as “a rather basic, incongruous late twentieth-century addition” that “lacks architectural quality” and is “discordant” with the Grade I listed castle and its surroundings.

While the remaining platform is expected to have a minor visual impact, officers concluded that its presence would still represent “a significant improvement” compared to the current building.

Although planning permission has been granted, Scheduled Monument Consent will still be required before any work can begin.

More details can be found via application reference HS/FA/25/00409 on the Hastings Borough Council website.