TRANSITION TOWN HASTINGS

Land Use Group

The following points were raised in our group regarding use of land in the Hastings and surrounding areas:

·         There is quite a lot of rough and un-used ground in and around Hastings – This could be used for growing local food for the community.

·         Areas of outstanding beauty could also be used for food production without damaging the countryside.

·         We can decrease food mileage by growing locally.

·         Available land could be used for building low impact dwellings and the space also used for education on sustainable living and for creating a local community compost scheme.

·         It is possible to put up wind turbines in shallow sea water. The sea is a great source of alternative and natural energy which we could make good use of in Hastings.

·         There is a need for low-impact housing in the area instead of the building of housing estates and new roads which create damage to the environment.

·         The many woods in the area could be coppiced and harvested in a sustainable way for the town’s fuel needs.

·         Housing development could be made where there are existing public transport links.

·         We need compost and recycling facilities in parks and on land. Currently these resources do not exist and people’s waste when in parks, woods etc can only be put in litter bins i.e. landfill.  

·         We need to look at how we can generate enough energy for the town’s needs without depending on the grid e.g. look into use of wind turbines.

·         East Sussex county council own land around schools. This space could be used constructively for fruit tree planting or creating school farms. Hastings council also own lots of leisure space, much of which is not being used.

·         Our group needs to link in and co-ordinate with other groups e.g. Food growing, energy, transport, waste.