Four-year plan for Black Robin Farm scheme revealed

By Rebecca Maer 

The cultural and education centre at Black Robin Farm will be developed over the next four years in plans which have been scaled back due to rising costs.

Some details have been revealed of which parts of the scheme will go ahead first and which elements will be included in later phases of the development.

In a statement issued today, Eastbourne Borough Council said some elements of the scheme had been "rephased and refined". It repeated its previous assertion: “The vision for Black Robin Farm remains unchanged.” 

The project was awarded £11.5 million of Levelling Up money in 2021 under the previous Conservative government. 

The first phase, due for completion in 2028, will comprise: 

•  a “stunning new gallery”
• “elements” of the events and education barn 
• landscaping and habitat improvements 
• parking spaces 
• a bus turning circle and bus stop 

The second phase, due for completion in 2030, will comprise: 

• the heritage gallery and engagement spaces 
• a permanent shop 
• café/restaurant 

However, it is unclear whether areas in the original plan for artists’ studios, a visitor centre, a learning kitchen and community and sensory gardens are going ahead. I have asked the council if these are still in the scheme.

Last week, the council’s scrutiny committee was told the project would not be at the "scale that was originally intended" by Stephen Holt, the Liberal Democrat council leader.  

Cllr Holt told members how the scheme would be proceeding as a “phased delivery” on the site of the former dairy farm near Beachy Head. 

It is within the South Downs National Park which is the planning authority for the scheme. The project is being developed by Eastbourne Borough Council and the site will eventually be run by the Towner gallery and called Towner Seven Sisters. 

Joe Hill, former director of Towner gallery, told me last summer there would be "spades in the ground" in the autumn 2025. 

Initial planning permission was granted in February 2024 by the South Downs National Park Authority and final permission, with a list of 49 conditions, went through in February this year. 

The relocation of the existing farming operation at Ringwood Farm must also be finalised before work starts.

The council’s statement today said: “As with any major development of this scale, the timetable has evolved as the project has progressed. This is due in part to the complexity of satisfying planning and ecological conditions, as well as changing economic conditions.  

“Importantly, the hybrid planning permission was secured from the South Downs National Park Authority earlier this year, marking a significant milestone for the scheme.”

Rising costs over the past five years have been a factor in the scaling back of the project. 

The council’s statement went on: “Like many major capital projects, Black Robin Farm is being delivered against a very different economic backdrop from that which existed when Levelling Up funding was originally awarded in October 2021.  

“As a result, some elements of the scheme have been rephased and refined to ensure the project remains financially robust, deliverable and sustainable for the long term.” 

Eastbourne Reporter asked the council in September why work had not started. It acknowledged that the location within the South Downs National Park and the scale and complexity of the project meant it was taking “longer than originally anticipated” to start work.

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