Shock as more than 400 people told their towerblock homes are to be demolished

Residents of four towerblocks in St Leonard’s were shocked to learn of plans to knock down their homes yesterday.

Southern Housing wants to demolish and redevelop Bevin Court, Roosevelt Court, Kennedy Court, and Churchill Court – all part of the 1960s Four Courts housing development in Stonehouse Drive.

In recent months, residents have complained about bedbug infestations, falling glass and mould in the blocks.

On its website, Southern Housing said plans were being put forward as the current design and layout of flats did not meet modern mobility standards.

More than 400 people currently live in the blocks, and will be moved out over the next few years – with the first block, Bevin Court, expected to be vacated by March next year.

Roosevelt Court residents would be moved out by March, 2027 and Churchill Court and Kennedy Court relocations would be expected to begin in the spring of 2027.

Hastings Borough Council’s Labour group, which said it had called for an ‘emergency full council meeting’ to discuss moving residents, “many of whom are elderly and vulnerable or have children in local schools.”

Helen Kay, councillor for Wishing Tree, whose ward includes the Four Courts, said: “It is vital that we ensure that the voices of residents in these blocks are heard and heeded.

“Many have strong ties to the area, including schools and family, and many are vulnerable. We want to ensure that Southern Housing does not ride roughshod over residents’ wishes.”

In a press release from Southern Housing, Hastings Borough Council cabinet member Glenn Haffenden, from its Green administration, said: “Hastings faces unprecedented pressure on our housing waiting list. We welcome the opportunity for Southern Housing to increase the amount of social housing at Stonehouse Drive through the redevelopment of the Four Courts.

“Redevelopment will enable a mix of house types to be built that are environmentally sustainable and that meet current mobility standards.”

Southern Housing CEO Paul Hackett CBE said: “Even with significant investment, the existing Four Courts would still fall short of providing fully accessible and future proofed homes.

“We’ve listened to residents and local stakeholders, and we believe this is a once in a generation opportunity to create modern homes the people of St Leonards can be proud of.

“By working together with the community we’ll deliver one of the largest redevelopment projects Hastings has seen in many years, which will benefit generations to come.”

Southern Housing will be holding engagement sessions in the coming months, details of which it says will be shared “in due course”.

Four Courts residents will be assigned resettlement officers to give one-to-one support during the relocation process.

Southern Housing also said residents moved into new accommodation would be entitled to a statutory Home Loss Payment, which is currently set at £8,100.

The social housing provider would also cover moving costs, such as mail redirection and appliance disconnections/reconnections.

A brochure published on Southern Housing’s website lists 19 places where residents could be offered alternative accommodation. Five of these alternative housing schemes are within the Hastings borough, including Marlborough House, an extra care scheme based in Warrior Square.

The remaining 11 schemes named in the brochure fall within the Rother district. Five of these named schemes are within Bexhill, but include schemes in Hurst Green, Northiam and Ticehurst.

The same brochure also said work is expected to begin on the first phase of the new development in 2028. Southern Housing said all new homes built on the site will remain social housing.