Shape of things to come?

Sea Space boss John Shaw this week declined an Observer request for the regeneration agency to release drawings showing plans for Bexhill seafront. But Save Our Seafront campaign member Jackie Bialeska, a local artist, has produced this painting based on designs shown to fellow members of the Community Enquiry. The designs were collected at the end of the meeting. Volunteers who took part in the consultative exercise have since been waiting for copies they were told would be forwarded to them. Jackie's painting shows existing Marina Court Avenue and Channel View properties as viewed from the sea. Behind them are the proposed apartments and offices to provide 600-800 new jobs. To the left is the Rowing Club and to the right the Wilton Court block. The Observer had requested a copy of the Sea space proposals, prepared by architects ABK, because of public interest. A spokesman for Sea Space said John Shaw was not keen to release the illustrations at present because he wanted to sit down with partners and work out a way forward. The Observer made a second request to Mr Shaw on Wednesday for authentic illustrations to show what is being discussed for the seafront. He said: "There isn't such a thing as authentic ones because what we are trying to do is produce a range of different options for the workshop. "That's only one of a series of events and I have to go back to our various stakeholders and say 'What is it that we want to do and how do we want to take this forward?' In a statement this week, SOS said: "At a meeting on October 12, consultants employed by Sea Space presented the final plan for Bexhill's regeneration. This proposed major development in the south of the town - on the seafront and along Marina - and major redevelopment in the north. "There are no proposals whatsoever to regenerate the existing town centre. "The proposed south development was presented in detail by the architects using computer graphics although copies of these have not yet been released. A scale model was also shown. "The painting accompanying this statement is offered to readers as a realistic interpretation of the architects' presentation. "Is has been created by local artist and SOS member Jackie Bialeska, who attended the presentation. The painting has been prepared with careful regard to the indicated scale and siting and is not deliberately exaggerated. "We hope the illustration will help to inform public opinion. "Readers will note, particularly, the intention still to build an hotel on the lawn adjacent to the Pavilion, so much enjoyed by all residents and visitors as a public amenity space. "But the design has changed to conceal the hotel beneath a huge grassed mound which will also conceal the De La Warr Pavilion!"