Black Robin Farm plans to be scaled back

Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter 

Rebecca Maer, Eastbourne Reporter

A cultural centre on the South Downs on the site of a former dairy farm will not be at the "scale that was originally intended", the Liberal Democrat leader of Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) has said. 

Last night (November 2), Eastbourne Borough Council’s scrutiny committee received a verbal update on long-awaited plans to build a cultural and education centre — to be run by the Towner gallery — at the Black Robin Farm site near Beachy Head. 

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

Council leader Stephen Holt told committee members how the scheme, funded through Levelling Up grant monies, will now be proceeding as a “phased delivery”. 

The Eastbourne Reporter was told in September by EBC: "The overall vision for the site remains unchanged."

At the scrutiny meeting, Old Town councillor Ali Dehdashty (Lib Dem) asked Cllr Holt if the scheme was being ‘scaled back’ from what was originally proposed. 

In response, Cllr Holt said: “The cost challenges have been immense, particularly post-Covid and that is why, I think it is fair to say, it is not the original proposal.” 

Responding to further questions from committee chairman David Small (Con), Cllr Holt added: “There will certainly be a shop up there and there will still be a cafe. There will still be elements of that along with the events barn, but it won’t be the scale that was originally intended, I think it is fair to say.” 

The Eastbourne Reporter asked EBC in September why work had not started at the site. The council said it anticipated work would start within the next six months, depending on contracts being finalised and some farming being relocated. 

Rising costs and finalising public transport options for people to reach the site have contributed to the delay. The council confirmed, in response to questions from the Eastbourne Reporter, that some project arrangements have taken longer than expected. 

It told us that it had reviewed costs "to ensure the scheme remains financially robust and deliverable in the current economic climate". The council told us: "The overall vision for the site remains unchanged."

Last night's committee also heard from Bev Lucas, the council’s strategic projects lead, who told councillors what elements of the project the authority is expecting to deliver. 

She said: “We, the council, are planning to deliver the gallery building with the associated plant, car parking, cycle parking, service infrastructure — including power, water and waste treatment at the site — [as well as] the provision for buses to stop at the site … and site-wide landscaping. 

“We are also proposing to carry out some works to … the proposed events barn at the site.” 

The ambitious plans had originally included:  

• Studios for artists and makers in the farmhouse and neighbouring building   
• An exhibition space on the site of an existing lambing barn, which will be dismantled for use elsewhere 
• Events and exhibitions in the existing large barn   
• A learning studio and teaching kitchen around an existing farmyard which will be used for outdoor learning  
• A visitor centre, refectory and heritage museum in an existing flint barn  
• A community garden for growing food  
• A sensory garden  
• Chalk farmland restoration in the wider area  

Cllr Holt said these works which are going ahead would be paid for through the Levelling Up grant funding. He said there would "inevitably need to be additional works" at the site, but said it would be down to the Towner to secure additional grant funding. 

He said: “We have a very close relationship with the Towner, as you would expect. We want this to be more than an art gallery on the Downs. We want it to be something very special and something that the town can be proud of. 

“We are really excited about this next phase and of course very happy to keep the scrutiny committee updated to developments.” 

Ms Lucas also told councillors how works will soon begin on a linked project, which is intended to make Black Robin Farm ready for development. 

This project involves works at Ringwood Farm, another council-owned farmstead, which will enable the relocation of Philip Fenner, the council’s agricultural tenant at Black Robin Farm. 

She said the council’s contractor is due to begin these works later this month and are expected to be completed by June next year. 

Ms Lucas said the council is also expecting to begin some “enabling works” at the Black Robin Farm site in January. She said these works will provide “enhanced bat roosts” to mitigate the potential ecological disturbance arising from the main works on the site. 

She said the council is expecting to enter into the main build contract before the end of the year and expects to meet a March 2028 deadline linked to the Levelling Up grant.