News & Thoughts

Hastings Commons is a heritage development trust (one of 19 around the country). In that role we support other groups to tackle challenging heritage issues. Last year we convened a public meeting to try to find a way forward for the much-loved St Mary in the Castle and since then we’ve been supporting a passionate...Continue reading→

A ground-breaking immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experience, The Tell-Tale Rooms, comes to OBX at Hastings Commons in Hastings, from 13 to 18 March. The film and exhibition invite audiences to step into the extraordinary world of visually impaired, neurodivergent Hastings based artist Eden Kötting. Blending animation, archive footage, and live action, this 360° VR film takes viewers...Continue reading→

Hastings Commons, a bold and inspiring example of what happens when a community takes charge of its own future, has won the prestigious 2025 Gold World Habitat Award in partnership with UN-Habitat.  Instead of relying on traditional developers or the local authority, Hastings Commons brings unused buildings back to life as homes, workspaces, and social hubs....Continue reading→

Expressions of interest are being sought for two historical properties currently being renovated by community organisation Hastings Commons. 12 Claremont: INTEREST WELCOME 12 Claremont (next to the Library) is currently undergoing full renovation and will be completed in summer 2025. Built in 1870 and originally a meeting place known as the Claremont Rooms, 12 Claremont...Continue reading→

Hastings Commons have been awarded gold in the prestigious 2025 World Habitat Award in partnership with UN-Habitat. This marks Hastings as the only place in the UK to be recognised amongst the nine winning global projects.  The World Habitat awards were established in 1985 to celebrate, identify and promote good habitat practices. This year, entries were received from 55...Continue reading→

‘Why I spent £85k of my own money to help fix Britain’s housing crisis’ in the BBC

Listen to the: AJ Climate Champions podcast with IF_DO’s Sarah Castle

‘Time to dump the housing ladder’: Inside the fightback against the temporary housing crisis by Greg Barradale of Big Issue

Our Community Land Trust annual report is now available Here are some highlights from the report: This year we launched many new projects and programmes, including the Hastings Youth Commons evening club: March 2024 also signalled the end of the 4 year Trinity Triangle project. Here are some of the outcomes: Here is a quick...Continue reading→

Hastings Commons has been awarded a £1 million grant from the Hastings Towns Fund to support the delivery of 12 affordable, sustainable and energy efficient homes in the Observer Building, which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. The OB Homes project will repurpose 765sqm of previously derelict floor space on the second and third floors...Continue reading→