Culture: New arts, education and cultural centre granted planning permission for the South Downs, Sussex

News have emerged that planning permission for a new cultural destination in the South Downs in the southern coast of UK has been granted, led by Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) in partnership with the celebrated art gallery Towner Eastbourne and incorporating other key stakeholders such as East Sussex College Group.  

Image: Finian Reece-Thomas, Feilden Fowles

Work for the new type of centre where art, culture, heritage and ecology will come together as a new eastern gateway to the South Downs, is expected to begin in 2024 at Black Robin Farm, designed with sustainability and site specificity at its core, by Stirling Prize shortlisted architects Feilden Fowles, with a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. 

It is situated on a site that was formerly a dairy farm, and embedded in the rolling South Downs landscape, will transform lives by connecting communities and visitors with the outstanding nature, landscape and cultural heritage of the Downlands for health, wellbeing and education, according to a press release.

This is great news for residents and businesses based in this picturesque destination in the unique landscape of the South Downs National Park. And will attract some 100,000 visitors annually within five years, revitalizing Eastbourne’s economy. 

Landscape-led project will connect Sussex’s iconic landmarks of the area including Beachy Head, Birling Gap, Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Haven, which are popular with national and international visitors, as well as delivering world class arts and cultural experiences, skills training for young people and opportunities and facilities for artists. With new walking, cycling and sustainable and accessible transport routes between the sites, and locally sourced and sustainable food and drink on offer, it will provide a coherent experience for the 1 million visitors to the region each year.   

"Our vision is to change lives through high quality creative and cultural experiences that raise aspirations, change career directions and improve life outcomes as well as skills and training that enables young people to pursue careers in the creative industries, tourism and leisure, ” said Joe Hill, CEO and Director, Towner Eastbourne.

“We are delighted that planning has been granted on this significant project for Eastbourne and more broadly for arts, tourism and culture. It will allow us to deliver an ambitious and sustainable artistic and educational programme situated in - and around - the nineteenth century dairy farm set in the stunning and unique landscape of the South Downs National Park," said Hill.

Image: Finian Reece-Thomas, Feilden Fowles

Councillor Stephen Holt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said: “This is clearly an important and most significant step forward in our plans to develop Black Robin Farm. We are on a journey that will see the creation of a hugely exciting new venue within the South Downs National Park, one that will capture the imagination of people from far and wide. I must thank all those who have played a role in this landmark project so far and look forward with immense anticipation to what is still to come. Eastbourne Borough Council and Towner Eastbourne will now work with key stakeholders and communities to deliver the project’s vision over the next four years. This will allow the local communities to celebrate Eastbourne’s identity, increasing civic pride and raising aspirations, and will convey the unique heritage of the Downland to visitors.”

Fergus Feilden, Director, Feilden Fowles, said: "The project will deliver unprecedented equal access to the national park whilst preserving and enhancing the beauty and ecology of the site’s remarkable 19th century agricultural Downland setting. It will bring over 2000m2 of existing agricultural fabric back into new use, using a palette of natural materials such as reclaimed brick, lime mortar, flint. The new-build gallery reflects the folds of the South Downs and will use flint and chalk excavated from the site. Targeting operational net zero by 2030, the design aims to have minimal impact on the environment drawing visitors into the South Downs and delivering world class arts and cultural experiences.”

In partnership with East Sussex College Group, Towner will deliver qualifications and skills training for young adults to support career development in the creative, leisure and tourism sectors. It will provide artist opportunities through commissions, residencies, showcasing and workspace. With the Coastal Schools Partnership and community partners, it will also deliver creative activities and teacher Continuing Professional Development encompassing natural materials, nature, ecology and food production for children and young people to grow confidence, build skills and improve life outcomes. 

The Black Robin Farm project will demonstrate leadership in the environmental sustainability of new art and culture projects. It aims to achieve Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) excellence status.