New tapas restaurant in Hastings Old Town approved

Controversial proposals to open a tapas restaurant in Hastings Old Town have been given the go ahead by councillors.On Wednesday (May 1), Hastings Borough Council’s planning committee approved an application to open a restaurant within a converted parking garage at the Ice House building, in Rock-a-Nore Road.A partly-residential building, the application had proven controversial with many living in the Ice House due to concerns about noise and disruption from the proposed commercial use.Meanwhile Mr Oliver argued that the proposals would reduce the security of the building and said the use of the restaurant’s entrance – particularly by smokers and drinkers – would hurt residents’ quality of life.However the committee also heard from the developer Brian Murdoch, who argued the residents knew there would be a commercial use of the building when they bought their properties.This original commercial use was to be a hotel and restaurant, the committee heard, but was within a different block of the building than the new application. The hotel plan has since been abandoned, however, with that part of the property set to become a doctors’ surgery instead.The committee also heard that the application, which was recommended for approval, would be supported by the council’s planning policies on tourism.Following a short discussion the application was granted planning permission. This decision included conditions requiring the owner to provide details of waste storage and its outside appearance.The decision was met with anger from many of the objectors, with Mr Oliver throwing his visitor badge into the council chamber in frustration.