Repairs on crack in funicular wall get green light

The East Hill Cliff Railway first opened in 1902

Proposals to repair part of the East Hill Cliff Railway in East Sussex have been approved by planners.

Hastings Borough Council’s planning committee approved a listed building application seeking permission to make repairs to the railway’s top station building.

Work can now begin on fixing a crack in the side of the building by removing and repairing damaged stones, steel beams and restraint plates, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

The lift is the steepest funicular in the UK and was closed for repairs for a year between 2022 and 2023.

In the application, which was submitted on behalf of the council, a spokesman for the authority said the work “will not cause harm to a heritage asset and therefore [complies] with the heritage requirements of the National Planning Policy Frameworks and adopted local plan heritage policies.”

The planning committee heard how the proposals had initially seen concerns raised by the council’s conservation officer, who requested additional information on the works.

The council then appointed a structural engineer, who the conservation officer said had provided “proportionate, clear and convincing justification” for the works.

In their response to the application, the conservation officer also noted how the council may need to seek further listed building consent if other repair works are revealed to be necessary.