This is an unusual type of post. It will obviously be of interest to those on Marina, but may also provide ideas for those researching buildings on other streets.
I give below a list of every house number on Marina, St Leonards on Sea. I searched the National Archives’ Discovery catalogue (which includes numerous local archives) for planning applications for flat conversions. All surviving planning applications until 1960 are kept at The Keep at Falmer. Early planning applications for the town are very complicated. Those that survive date from 1850, but only in large numbers from 1878, and even then initially with gaps. The Burton estate, to the west of no. 1 and marked by the former arch now commemorated by a stone on the promenade opposite no. 1, does not appear to have had any planning applications, at least ones which survive. Hence to my knowledge there are no planning applications survive for the actual, original construction from the late 1820s. Those house owners lucky enough to have early title deeds will often have unique information.
I added where easily found newspaper mentions (with the Hastings and St Leonards Observer cited as HSLO), which are only numerous from about the early 1890s. I later decided to add late 1940s mentions of war damage repairs, which are mostly named in the catalogue as ‘W.D.’ , but occasionally as simply ‘repairs’.The amounts stated in the newspapers were the maximum that could be spent, apparently to ensure that vital repairs were done by the available builders, rather than any extras, as well as to control use of (scarce) materials and labour.
I added some other newspaper mentions which I couldn’t resist, such as sales particulars. None of this is comprehensive – Marine Court is incredibly complicated for a start — and I wondered to myself when to stop ! I’m sure I’ve made mistakes as well. Anyone interested in a specific house number should only use this list as a starting point. For example, the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery holds typescripts of WWII bomb damage reports, in date order and then by street. I have only quoted from it for heavily damaged buildings.
I only list mentions of ‘conversions’, and not the also plentiful but vague ‘alterations’, some of which are probably for conversions. Discovery only covers up to 1960 for Hastings’ planning applications, and I have omitted those after 1960. There were also some other mentions of Marina on Discovery which may be of interest. I have not looked at any of the actual applications, which are at The Keep to 1960 (hence my ending with that year). Anyone researching these buildings should use the Hastings planning applications portal, especially for the numbers close to St Leonards parish church such as no 69, which had to be completely rebuilt. The portal appears to have at least some data, increasingly over the years comprehensive, from about 1950, and so overlaps with the information on Discovery.
The newspapers can often for the planning applications provide names of owners and architects (sometimes builders), but some references were missed by me.
Inevitably there will be gaps and oddities. For example, I have noted from the 1921 and 1950 directories those houses which were already subdivided although relevant planning applications were not found.
For each house the initial date is that of approved (or disapproved) planning consent. Newspaper citations are given as HSLO, the Hastings and St Leonards Observer, with the relevant phrase in italics. As for what the buildings actually looked like, there are many images as well as other information on the street at the Historical Hastings page on Marina. It also mentions the renumbering in 1862 of the houses to the west of Sussex Road.
I have added a few mentions of hotels and guest houses and other specially named buildings, from the 1921 and 1950 directories, plus current knowledge. Incidentally the 1921 Pike’s states in its street listing for the Royal Victoria Hotel that it was ‘renovated and re-decorated throughout after military occupation’, additional wording that they would have paid for.
Numbers 2-14 do not exist, as they were formerly the numbers for 2-14 South Colonnade. For some numbers I have no relevant information on bomb damage repairs or flat conversion. These are left blank. I have added in bold the location of side streets as cited in a few directories. No doubt there are errors by me as well as omissions, and I welcome corrections as comments.
In the late 1930s Marine Court replaced nos. 23-33. Below I only give references before then for those numbers. This is a list of planning applications at The Keep relating to Marine Court. These include what seems to be the final, amended planning application approved on the 30 October 1936, DH/C/6/1/13280. For war damage repairs, there is the approved application on the 16 May 1949, W.D. eastern end, DH/C/40/49/280.
I have also omitted applications for the Royal Victoria Hotel and St Leonards parish church.
The HSLO issue of the 17 January 1947 is of particular interest. Apparently Sydney Little, the Borough Engineer, wanted many houses demolished and rebuilt further back, partly to reveal St Leonards Gardens. I am not clear which properties were meant, but it seems to have included 8 houses between 52 and 80. Lawyers appeared for the householders of 68, Mrs Dorothy Waddingham, and of 80, Mrs Bray, and also for nos. 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 59. Little is quoted as saying ‘The whole of the buildings on this part of the Front, with the exception of no. 59, were old and obsolete and had outrun their useful life.’
1 [Office, now the Greenhouse; before its demolition in 1895 this number was assigned to a shop inside the Arch, which extended across the road at the same place]
2-14 [‘2 to 14 see South Colonnade’, 1921 Pike’s]
15
16
17
18 HSLO, 24 May 1919. 18 and 19 Marina. The Auction of these houses is postponed. Auction and Estate Offices, 48, Marina.
19 HSLO, 24 May 1919. 18 and 19 Marina. The Auction of these houses is postponed. Auction and Estate Offices, 48, Marina; 11 May 1928, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/10289; HSLO 12 May 1928, Conversion into flats and shop, 19, Marina, Mr L.G. Rosaspini, owner, Mr H.M. Jeffery, architect.
20 10 Feb 1948, DH/C/6/2/2164, Change of use, disapproved
21
Here is Undercliff and South Colonnade [1921 Pike’s], Here is Undercliff [1950 Kelly’s]
22 [Not listed, 1950 Kelly’s; a mystery to me]
23 [Marine Court]
24 [Marine Court]
25 [Marine Court]
26 [Marine Court] 23 July 1919, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8628; HSLO, 2 Aug 1919, Three sets of flats and caretaker’s rooms, 26, 27, 28, Marina; Captain Maurice Burton, owner, Mr H. Ward, architect.
27 [Marine Court] 23 July 1919, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8628; HSLO, 2 Aug 1919, Three sets of flats and caretaker’s rooms, 26, 27, 28, Marina; Captain Maurice Burton, owner, Mr H. Ward, architect.
28 [Marine Court] 23 July 1919, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8628; HSLO, 2 Aug 1919, Three sets of flats and caretaker’s rooms, 26, 27, 28, Marina; Captain Maurice Burton, owner, Mr H. Ward, architect.
29 [Marine Court]
30 [Marine Court]
31 [Marine Court]
32 [Marine Court]
33 [Marine Court]
34 [Not listed 1950, Kelly’s]
35 [Not listed 1950, Kelly’s]
36
37
38
39
40 2 March 1923, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/9085, HSLO, 3 March 1923, Conversion into 3 flats and 2 lock-up shops, 40, Marina, Mr E. Eyles, owner, Mr P.H. Oxley, architect
41 8 Aug 1919, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8639; 3 Sept 1948, Conversion for 41 and 41a, DH/C/40/48/128
42
43
44 [1950 Kelly’s, Lloyd’s Bank on ground floor, now a cafe] 31 Dec 1954, Conversion 3 flats, DH/C/40/54/731
Gardner Way
45 [Royal Victoria Hotel]
46 [Royal Victoria Hotel]
47 [Royal Victoria Hotel]
Burton Way
48 13 Jan 1948, DH/C/6/2/2087, repairs; 15 March 1954, flat on 3rd floor, DH/C/40/54/91
49 12 Oct 1947, DH/C/6/2/1885, repairs
50 8 Oct 1946, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1101, ‘Note: Disapproved and 11 Mar 1947, 10 June 1947’; 29 July 1947, DH/C/6/2/1695, disapproved; 14 Oct 1947, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1852
51 29 July 1947, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1759
52 [Cromwell Private Hotel, now Conway Court] 11 June 1946, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/814; HSLO, 15 June 1946, approved cost of £289, Mr Southwood; HSLO, 9 July 1946, repairs, postponed, DH/C/6/2/922; 13 July 1946, postponement recommended, £200, Mr H. Southwood; HSLO, 18 Jan 1947, mentions that Mr H. Southwood of 52-53 was former owner of no. 63; HSLO, 26 Apr 1947, obituary of Henry Southwood, came to St Leonards in 1921 as proprietor of the Cromwell Hotel, hotel had to be closed because of an unexploded bomb, later damaged considerably by enemy action but reopened May 1945.
53 [Cromwell Private Hotel, now Conway Court] 11 June 1946, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/814; HSLO, 15 June 1946, approved cost of £289, Mr Southwood; HSLO, 9 July 1946, repairs, postponed, DH/C/6/2/922; 13 July 1946, postponement recommended, £200, Mr H. Southwood; HSLO, 18 Jan 1947, mentions that Mr H. Southwood of 52-53 was former owner of no. 63; HSLO, 26 Apr 1947, obituary of Henry Southwood, came to St Leonards in 1921 as proprietor of the Cromwell Hotel, hotel had to be closed because of an unexploded bomb, later damaged considerably by enemy action but reopened May 1945.
54
55 [Greeba Private Hotel, later Greeba Court] In 1900 the Seaside House of the Royal Hospital for Incurables; 12 Dec 1930, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/10968; 8 Oct 1946, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1142; 14 Oct 1947, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1860
56 [Greeba Private Hotel, later Greeba Court] 12 Dec 1930, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/10968, 8 Oct 1946, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1142, 14 Oct 1947, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1860
57 [Crown House]
58
59 5 March 1946, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/713; HSLO, 15 June 1946, Marina, approved cost of £100, owner Mr H.J. Tilt; 9 July 1946, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/890
60 1 Apr 1921, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8815; HSLO, 2 Apr 1921, Conversion into two flats of 60, Marina; 14 Jan 1947, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1305
61 HSLO, 8 July 1911, Advert, by order of trustees of the late Arthur Sanderson, the freehold to be sold by auction. Below is another advert, furniture to be sold by auction by order of executrix of Miss Sanderson; 8 Aug 1930, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/10884; HSLO, 15 June 1946, approved cost of £2257, owner Mr G.W. Gunstone; HSLO, 10 Sept 1946, repairs, DH/C/6/2/1047; 21 Sept 1946, repairs to roof £300, owner, Mr G.W. Gunstone; HSLO, 10 May 1947, interim development appeal.
62 [1950 Kelly’s, Kencourt Hotel] HSLO, 13 July 1946, Refusal [of W.D. repairs] recommended, Part of 62, Marina, destroyed by enemy action, Mr L. Mellor; HSLO 18 Jan 1947, Mr Leslie Mellows, joint owner with his wife of the Kencourt, appealed against the refusal of the Town Council to permit him to rebuild his war damaged property, it had minor damage in Sept 1940 and major damage in July 1944 from the flying bomb that demolished St Leonards parish church, more details; HSLO, 10 May 1947, interim development appeal; 27 Apr 1951, Conversion into five flats, DH/C/40/51/243;19 Nov 1951, Conversion, DH/C/40/51/243A, amended plan. No such house number now ?
St Leonards parish church, steps to West Hill
63 [Formerly owned by Henry Southwood of nos. 52-53, see those entries. Pier View private hotel when ‘serious’ damage suffered on the 29 July 1944. Not rebuilt.
64 1 Apr 1921, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8816; HSLO, 2 Apr 1921, Conversion into two flats of 64, Marina. ‘Demolished’, bomb damage report for 29 July 1944. Apparently then five flats and not two, owned by Mr Perkins; 12 Apr 1951, purchased by Council for £1400 from Rebecca Perkins, Bishops Platt Thorpe, Surrey under the Hastings Corporation (General Powers) Act 1937, DH/B/83/444
65 13 Feb 1931, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/11025; ‘Destroyed’, bomb damage report for 29 July 1944, when it was apparently empty and owed by the trustees of E. Hamilton; 7 Apr 1951, purchased by Council for £1200, DH/B/83/445
66 14 June 1929, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/10573, catalogue states ‘Note: WAS NO. 66 MARINA. SEE NO. 68 MARINA. Disapproved; approved 30 Jul 1929’; HSLO 3 Aug 1929, Conversion into flats, 66, Marina, St Leonards, Miss Taylor, owner, per Messrs. Ward, Son and Wray, architects (approved on condition that the water supply, storage and fittings comply with the requirements of the Water Engineer); Destroyed’, bomb damage report for 29 July 1944, when it was owned by R.G. Higgs; 11 February 1960, nos. 66/67/68, DH/C/40/60/1014A, 6 story block of flats.
67 14 June 1929, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/10573, catalogue states ‘Note: WAS NO. 66 MARINA. SEE NO. 68 MARINA. Disapproved; approved 30 Jul 1929’; ‘To be demolished’, bomb damage report for 29 July 1944, when it was owned by R.J. Lampright;11 February 1960, nos. 66/67/68, DH/C/40/60/1014A, 6 story block of flats.
68 10 Sept 1926, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/9890; 14 June 1929, DH/C/6/1/10573, catalogue states ‘Note: WAS NO. 66 MARINA. SEE NO. 68 MARINA. Disapproved; approved 30 Jul 1929’; HSLO, 2 Nov 1946, ‘The committee recommended refusal of permission to rebuild part of 68 Marina (Mrs Waddington) destroyed by enemy action’; 9 May 1950, HS/FA/50/00231 [not found on Discovery], ‘War damage, etc. repairs to put two flats and basement into habitable condition’, plus some more information on Hastings planning application portal; 11 February 1960, nos. 66/67/68, DH/C/40/60/1014A, 6 story block of flats.
69 7 May 1926, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/9793
70 19 Sept 1955, Conversion 3 flats, DH/C/40/55/594; 19 Oct 1954, Conversion, DH/C/40/54/575
71 9 Sept 1947, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1826; 14 Oct 1947, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1934; 13 Apr 1948, Conversion, DH/C/6/2/2245; 14 June 1948, W.D. repairs, DH/C/40/48/3
72 [1950 Kelly’s, Bernette Hotel] 27 Sept 1957, Convert into 4 flats, DH/C/40/57/609; HSLO, 12 Oct 1957, Conversion of 72, Marina, St Leonards, from an hotel into four furnished apartments.
73 HSLO, 26 May 1945, ‘to be sold, war-damaged house, 73, Marina, St Leonards; 18 rooms; freehold. Apply Flat 2, 21 Pevensey Road’; 30 July 1946, Conversion, DH/C/6/2/956, disapproved; 10 Feb 1948, Conversion, DH/C/6/2/2118; 18 Sept 1950, Conversion, DH/C/40/50/575, refused; 1 Dec 1950, DH/C/40/50/575A
74 [1921 Pike’s lists 5 flats] 30 July 1946, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/953; HSLO, 9 Aug 1946, approved cost of £2000, owner Mr S. Janering
75
76
77 14 Oct 1947, Conversion, DH/C/6/2/1933; 9 Sept 1947, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1834, refused
78 [1921 Pike’s lists 3 flats, Kendal Hotel, 1950 Kelly’s], 9 Nov 1946, Conversion, DH/C/6/2/1168; 17 March 1952, DH/C/40/52/107
79 [1921 Pike’s lists 5 flats]
80 4 June 1920, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8734; HSLO 5 June 1920, Conversion into three flats of No. 80, Marina: Mrs Brannon, owner; Mr P.H. Oxley, architect; 11 March 1938, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8734
81
82 29 July 1947, Conversion, DH/C/6/2/1748; 10 Feb 1948, Conversion, refused, DH/C/6/2/2143; HSLO, 18 Sept 1948, advert for freehold of 82 Marina, suitable for conversion, by order of Captain W. Jordan, RN; 31 Dec 1948, Conversion, DH/C/40/48/406; 17 Oct 1949, Conversion, DH/C/40/48/406A, amended plan
83 [1921 Pike’s lists 5 flats]
84 [1921 Pike’s lists 6 flats]
85 7 Jan 1921, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8785, disapproved; HSLO, 15 Jan 1921, Four residential flats, 85, Marina: Mr G.H. Naunton, owner, Mr J. Hunt, architect – That the plans be not approved, not showing the bedrooms in the basement, and the bathrooms on the second and third floors to be ventilated into the open air, nor the provision of egress in case of fire; 4 Feb 1921, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8794; HSLO, 5 Feb 1921, Conversion into four residential flats, 85, Marina, Mr G.H. Naunton, owner; Mr J. Hunt, architect.
86
87
88 [1921 Pike’s, Surgical and Convalescent Home] 14 Jan 1947, Conversion, DH/C/6/2/1294
89 19 March 1951, W.D. rebuild, DH/C/40/51/133; 28 March 1952, W.D. amended, DH/C/40/51/133A; 29 Nov 1957, Conversion, DH/C/40/57/670A [Author’s note, there ought to be 670 as well, amended to 670A]
90 14 Oct 1947, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1912; 1 Dec 1950, Conversion, DH/C/40/50/736, disapproved; 26 Jan 1951, Conversion, DH/C/40/50/736A, refused; 25 May 1951, Conversion, DH/C/40/50/736B
91 14 Oct 1947, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1912; 1 Dec 1950, Conversion, DH/C/40/50/736, disapproved; 26 Jan 1951, Conversion, DH/C/40/50/736A, refused; 25 May 1951, Conversion, DH/C/40/50/736B
92 [1921 Pike’s lists 5 flats] 8 Apr 1947, W.D. repairs, DH/C/6/2/1450, disapproved; 14 Oct 1947, repairs, DH/C/6/2/1913
93 6 June 1919, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8619; HSLO 7 June 1919, Six flats, 93, Marina; Mr C.G. Lowe, owner, Messrs. Bruce and Co., builders [but 1921 Pike’s lists 4 flats]
94 [private hotel, 1950 Kelly’s]
95 30 July 1935, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/12734; HSLO, 3 Aug 1935, Conversion into flats, 95, Marina, St Leonards; Mr P.E. Sheppard, owner, Mr Austin Vowell, architect. Approved subject to a separate water supply being provided for each flat.
96
97 8 June 1934, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/12222
98 10 Dec 1959, Convert into 4 flats, DH/C/40/59/1051
99 11 June 1946, Conversion, DH/C/6/2/867; HSLO, 15 June 1946, 99, Marina, conversion of first-floor into flats (Mr A.J. Colley).
100 [1950 Kelly’s, Church Army Holiday Home] 30 May 1960, Convert into 6 flats, DH/C/40/60/429
101 31 Jan 1958, Form flat on 1st floor, DH/C/40/57/841
102 2 July 1920, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8741; HSLO, 3 July 1920, Conversion into eight flats of 102 and 103, Marina: Mr J. Newton Moss, owner, Messrs. Callow and Callow, architects [1921 Pike’s lists 102 and 103 as Boscombe Mansions]
103 1 Apr 1920, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8711; 2 July 1920, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8741; HSLO 3 July 1920, Conversion into flats of 103, Marina; Mr J. Newton Moss, owner, Messrs. Callow and Callow, architects; HSLO, 3 July 1920, Conversion into eight flats of 102 and 103, Marina: Mr V. Newton Moss, owner, Messrs. Callow and Callow, architect [1921 Pike’s lists 102 and 103 as Boscombe Mansions]
104
105 [1950 Kelly’s, Lorne Hotel]
106 11 July 1930, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/10871
107 14 June 1929, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/10558, disapproved; HSLO 15 June 1929, Conversion into flats, 107, Marina, St Leonards, Mr C.E. Masters, owner (disapproved)[amended plan in same newspaper approved], disapproved, approved 30 July 1929; HSLO 3 Aug 1929, Conversion into flats, 107, Marina, St Leonards, Mr C.E. Masters, owner (approved on condition that the water supply, storage and fittings comply with the requirements of the Water Engineer).
108 11 Jan 1929, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/10447; HSLO 12 Jan 1929, Conversion into flats, 108, Marina, Mr J. Reffell, owner, Mr T.F. Amery, architect.
109 16 Jan 1914, Conversion, DH/C/6/1/8327; HSLO 17 Jan 1914, Conversion into flats of No. 109, Marina: Mr G.R. Lucas, owner, per Mr C.H. Davis, architect [1921 Pike’s lists, as Sussex Mansion, 4 flats]
Here is Sussex Place
110 [1950 Kelly’s, Sussex Hotel, now Sussex House, flats]
111
112
113
114 HSLO, 8 Oct 1949. Advert by order of trustees, freehold for sale by auction, ‘at present arranged as a flat and 2 maisonettes.’ With part possession.
115 3 March 1950, Conversion, DH/C/40/50/108, refused
116
117
118
119 HSLO, 12 Apr 1930, Advert for sale by auction, vacant possession; 14 Oct 1947, Conversion, DH/C/6/2/1922
120
121 15 Oct 1959, Conversion for flat and maisonette, DH/C/40/59/867; 12 Nov 1959, Conversion for flat and maisonette, DH/C/40/59/968
122
123 [1950 Kelly’s, Treasure Guest House]
124
125
126
127
128
129 [1950 Kelly’s, Romney Guest House]
130
131 [1950 Kelly’s, St Margaret’s Private Hotel]
132
133
134
135
136
137 [1921 Pike’s lists, with 138, as Marina Mansions, 4 flats], 30 June 1960, for nos. 137 and 138, form basement flat, DH/C/40/60/550
138 [In 1900 the Seaside Branch of the Cripples Home for Girls, 1921 Pike’s lists, with 137, as Marina Mansions, 4 flats], 30 June 1960, for nos. 137 and 138, form basement flat, DH/C/40/60/550
139 13 Apr 1948, Change of use, DH/C/6/2/2241
140
141
142
143 [1921 Pike’s lists as Nursing & Nurses Home]
144
145 [Westgarth Hotel] 14 July 1952, Conversion, DH/C/40/52/360
146 [Westgarth Hotel] 14 July 1952, Conversion, DH/C/40/52/360
[8 flats for 145-146. Plans changed so that, 27 March 1953, change of use 10 flats, DH/C 40/53/126, later amended as 126A]Other evidence of flats, besides the 1921 census, would be revealed by looking at directories, which would list the householders in each flat, and the 30 September 1939 Register which lists civilian residents by street address including by flat number (available on the priced Ancestry and Find My Post sites).
Only a few houses west of the large no. 110 were converted into flats, probably reflecting their smaller size than the rest of Marina, which made them more desirable as single residences for a long time. The 1911 and 1921 censuses both state the number of rooms in each household, which can be totalled up for each house number.
I believe that the hotels and guest houses mentioned in the above list are all gone now.
Finally, the 1954 Ordnance Survey maps show selected house numbers which can be used to easily identify individual houses. An example is that given below, showing the gaps on Marina on either side of St Leonards parish church as white outlines, meaning ruined sites. The nearest sites to the gap were never rebuilt, while those just beyond were rebuilt. The church site itself is simply left as a blank on the map.
