Eastbourne Borough Council- News – August 2026

Shinewater Park playground transformed with new equipment chosen by local families

Children and families are enjoying a host of new play features at Shinewater Park following a major refurbishment shaped by feedback from residents.

Earlier this year, Eastbourne Borough Council invited users of the popular playground to share their ideas by taking part in a survey. Working with the operators of Treat Park Café, the council gathered suggestions from children and families about how the play area could be improved. The feedback helped inform the design of the refurbishment and the selection of new equipment. 

The upgraded playground now includes a new adventure trail featuring balancing and climbing elements and monkey bars, as well as a see saw, spinner, springer and interactive play panels. A new calisthenics unit has also been installed nearby following requests from residents.

Councillor Candy Vaughan, Cabinet Member for Community and Accessibility, said: “It’s fantastic to see this refurbished playground open and being enjoyed by children and families. What makes this project particularly special is that local people helped shape it, telling us what they wanted to see and helping us create a play space that reflects the needs of the community.”

The improvements are part of the council’s ongoing commitment to enhancing parks and open spaces across the town and ensuring local families have access to high-quality recreation facilities. Additional funding has also been secured from the John Jackson Charitable Trust for a new accessible path within the playground, which will be installed after the summer holidays. 

Councillor Vaughan added:”Shinewater Park is a popular place for people of all ages to meet, play and be active, and these improvements will ensure it remains welcoming for the whole community. The addition of the new calisthenics equipment and the planned accessible path means even more people will be able to enjoy everything the park has to offer.”

Work begins on new homes at former court site

Preparatory works are underway at the former Eastbourne Magistrates’ Court site in Old Orchard Road, marking a significant milestone in plans to bring new social homes to the town centre.

Following a successful tender process, contractor Trinity Homes has taken possession of the site and this week started enabling works, ahead of the main construction programme.

The development will provide 30 flats, including two fully accessible ground-floor homes, alongside landscaping designed to encourage biodiversity and provide communal and private outdoor space for residents. The project is expected to be completed in autumn 2028.

Councillor Peter Diplock, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said: “It is fantastic to see work getting underway on this exciting development. The scheme will transform an empty site in the heart of Eastbourne into much-needed high-quality homes for local people.

“Delivering new homes remains a key priority for this council, and this development demonstrates our commitment to increasing the supply of housing for social rent while making the best use of brownfield land.”

During construction, measures have been introduced to minimise disruption. These include agreed working hours, managing site traffic, controlling noise, dust and vibration, maintaining safe access for residents and pedestrians, and providing regular communication with neighbouring properties.

Councillor Diplock added: “This project has been carefully designed to create a sustainable and attractive place to live, with accessible homes and landscaping that supports biodiversity.

“We will continue to keep the local community informed as the project progresses and thank neighbouring residents and businesses for their understanding while work is carried out.”

Curious about heat pumps?

Have you ever seen a heat pump in real life? View homes like yours with heat pumps, message heat pump owners with your burning questions, and even visit a heat pump near you.

Learn more about the heating solution from people who know best through Visit a Heat Pump – the free service which connects you with heat pump owners in minutes.

There are over 1,000 hosts across the country. Thousands of people have already visited a heat pump, thousands more have messaged a heat pump owner to get the answers they need.

Learn more about heat pumps from someone who lives with one.

Message a heat pump owner and book your visit today at www.visitaheatpump.com/