A landmark hotel on Hastings seafront is set to be used as student accommodation for a boarding school.
The Chatsworth Hotel in Carlisle Parade has been empty since its owners, the Aristel Hotels Group, closed it in February last year.
Now, Wisdom Properties Ltd, which owns Buckswood School, has applied to turn it into short-stay student accommodation for the school’s pupils.
The application says no internal changes will be made to the hotel, and all of its 52 rooms will be used by pupils of the school, which is based about six miles away from the hotel in Guestling.
The basic application was submitted in October, but revalidated on Hasting Borough Council’s planning portal on 23 January after further documents were submitted.
This included a tourism policy justification statement, which says: “It is understood, however, that prior to closing for business, its use for tourism had ceased for some time.
“News articles dated between 2022 and 2024 state that the building had been spot booked by the Home Office to ‘accommodate around 80 asylum seekers’, suggesting that the premises has not been used for tourism use for a period in excess of two years.
The Chatsworth Hotel was purchased by Wisdom Properties Limited on behalf of Buckswood School in summer 2024. At the time of purchase, the premises was in a severely dilapidated condition and unfit for habitation, with evidence of water ingress and dampness.
“The applicant has since carried out cleaning, renovation and repairs to the building including electrical wiring, heating and drainage systems inspections, Legionella testing and flushing of plumbing systems, and fire risk assessment.
“It is apparent that the dilapidated condition of the premises had occurred over a long period of neglect and poor investment into the property, which had likely accelerated during its period of vacancy.
“Buckswood School is excited about the opportunity to transform the Chatsworth Hotel into high quality short-stay accommodation for its International Students.
“As a leading educational institution with a reputation for fostering academic and personal growth, Buckswood aim to bring positive impacts to both the site and the surrounding community.”
“Buckswood’s investment will restore and enhance the Chatsworth Hotel, maintaining its historic charm while ensuring it meets the needs of modern accommodation. This will safeguard the site from falling into disrepair, keeping it a vibrant part of the Hastings townscape.
“With students residing in the heart of Hastings, local businesses, shops, and service providers will experience an increase in footfall. Buckswood’s commitment to supporting local suppliers will also create opportunities for partnerships and economic growth.”
