Hastings building used for asylum seekers could become hotel

The Chatsworth Hotel, on Carlisle Parade, Hastings, is at the centre of the proposal after its recent change to accommodate international students.

The previous change, approved in March 2025, allowed the building to be used by Buckswood School for its international language programme students.

However, according to the new application, the language school ceased operating at the hotel during the summer.

The hotel was used by Buckswood school over the summer (Image: Google)

The property, which has not functioned as a traditional hotel for several years, was previously used to provide emergency accommodation for refugees.

Having initially closed during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was used by the Home Office to house asylum seekers between 2022 and 2024, although this was never officially sanctioned.

Buckswood School then used the property to house students on its 'Buckswood Lions' summer school programme, offering English lessons and activities to pupils aged 11 to 18 years old.

The new plans aim to bring the property back to its original use as a hotel.

The application states there are no proposed internal or external alterations.

The hotel closed during the pandemic (Image: Nigel Chadwick)

The application reads: "It is anticipated that the proposed development would provide jobs for approximately 20 full-time employees.

"This is a greater number of staff than the existing use as a language school, to account for waiting staff within the on-site restaurant and reception staff.

"No additional external lighting is proposed; there is existing lighting to the front of the building which provides suitable illumination at night time."

The building photographed in June 2025 (Image: Google)

The proposed new hotel would offer 52 bed spaces.

The provision of access to the building remains unchanged, with existing pedestrian access via the main entrance on Carlisle Parade being retained.

The new plans can be viewed using the reference HS/FA/25/00633.