Last March, we shared the news that St Michael’s Hospice is planning a new building — read our announcement here. Our determination to create the best possible environment for end-of-life care and support for people in Hastings and Rother remains as strong as ever, and careful planning now is crucial to securing the future of the Hospice for generations to come. The warm wave of support we received when announcing our plans was incredible, and we want to thank everyone who has engaged with us on this journey so far.
Where will the new Hospice building be?
At this stage, we’re still actively exploring all possibilities, including staying on our current site at Upper Maze Hill. While this remains a strong contender, we need to consider a range of factors before making a decision.
We’ve been actively engaging members of Hastings Borough Council who recognise the value we bring to the local community. We’re appreciative of the Council’s support and collaboration to date.
We’re also reviewing a shortlist of alternative locations in Hastings. Many have already been ruled out, and those still under consideration are being carefully evaluated with planning consultants. No single option is a perfect fit, as each site comes with its own challenges.
Why is it taking so long to decide on a location?
This is a momentous decision that will shape the future of St Michael’s Hospice, and it’s critical that we get it right. Over the past year, we’ve been working through the complexities of both staying at Upper Maze Hill and relocating elsewhere. At our current site, this has meant assessing conservation area constraints, tree protection orders, heritage considerations, interments in our gardens of remembrance, and even the mainline railway tunnel beneath our driveway.
Exploring alternative locations has also required extensive due diligence. Each option must be assessed for planning feasibility, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. On top of this, we’ve been working with external organisations, each with their own processes, decision-making structures, and timelines.
Taking the time to carefully consider our options will ensure we make the best possible choice for people who rely on our services, our workforce, our supporters, and the community of Hastings and Rother. It also gives us the opportunity to assess the costs and benefits of building at Upper Maze Hill versus other locations.
Thank you for your input
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to shaping our project brief in the autumn. Your feedback on what you’d like to see in a new hospice building has been invaluable, and we look forward to sharing what matters to you on our website and social media soon. If you didn’t have a chance to take part, don’t worry — there’ll be more opportunities to share your thoughts when we reach the detailed design stage, though that’s still some way off.
We remain committed to keeping you informed and involved as things progress. While we don’t have a final decision on the location of the new building yet, we expect to share our next update in summer 2025.
