Helping Shape a £20m Regeneration Plan for Eastbourne
Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to help write Eastbourne’s new Regeneration and Investment Plan - a document that has been submitted to the UK Government with the aim of unlocking £20 million of long-term investment for the town.
It’s been a focused, highly collaborative piece of work carried out with fellow volunteers from the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Board with support from the local authority team. Working alongside a small team drawn from different backgrounds has reminded me how much local knowledge and lived experience matter when shaping plans like this.
Shaped by local voices
Much of the content grew directly from community consultations and workshops, and feedback gathered from residents of all ages, local businesses, and community groups. What stood out was how consistently people raised the same core priorities: safer and cleaner streets, better opportunities for young people, improved community spaces, support for families, and more inclusive access to nature, culture and skills.
These contributions gave the plan a grounded sense of what matters day to day - not just big projects, but the smaller things that build pride, connection and confidence in a place. The resulting plan is progressive in a practical way. It avoids sweeping promises and instead sets out clear priorities that can make a meaningful difference over time taking a people-first approach and linked to evidence-based research.
It focuses on:
strengthening community wellbeing
widening opportunities for young people
improving skills and economic resilience
supporting neighbourhood projects and
addressing the pressures facing families and residents living in poverty
Throughout the process, we’ve placed emphasis on inclusion, transparency, and community wealth building. It’s a reminder that regeneration isn’t just about buildings and physical change, but about strengthening trust, participation and fairness.
A voluntary contribution I’m proud of
Although my involvement was voluntary, it felt worthwhile to play a small part in something designed to support residents and help the town plan confidently for the next decade, using my skills and experience of place management and being part of the national high streets task force.
Looking ahead
Whatever happens in the next stage, this plan shows a clear commitment to listening to the community and investing in what local people have said they need most. It’s been a privilege to help bring those ideas together in a way that reflects Eastbourne’s strengths, challenges and aspirations for the future. We’ve now just waiting on Government approval before the investments in local people, places, businesses and the natural environment can begin at pace in the Spring.