The Royal Sovereign Lantern Tower is in safe storage in Bexhill.

We have been requesting for two-and-a-half years to lease a piece of land at the bottom of Galley Hill, to include part of the public car park. At the moment the land is owned by Rother District Council. There is a proposal to transfer ownership to Bexhill Town Council. If this is the case Bexhill Maritime will seek to lease it from them.

Currently the ownership of the land is being discussed between the two councils. We are awaiting the result.

The Bexhill Maritime project plan consists of five phases. The first phase is completed. We will be able to embark on Phase 2 as soon as we have tenure of the land.

Phase 1: Acquisition and safe temporary storage of the Royal Sovereign Lighthouse Lantern Tower (completed).

Phase 2: Commence planning process to move the Lantern Tower from storage to a temporary position at the bottom of Galley Hill with a temporary visitor centre cabin alongside. Commence community engagement.

Phase 3: Restoration of the Lantern Tower.

Phase 4: Planning applications and capital fundraising for a Maritime Centre building.

Phase 5: Build the maritime centre.