EASTBOURNE’S controversial new-look Carpet Gardens are set to stay after almost 70 per cent of people responding to a major public consultation backed the sustainable planting scheme.
More than 16,000 people had their say on the future of one of the town’s best-known seafront landmarks, following months of debate over the dramatic change from its traditional colourful bedding displays.
The results, released today (11 September), show 69.56 per cent of respondents supported making the new sustainable planting a permanent feature, while 30.44 per cent favoured a return to the traditional Victorian bedding-plant design.
A total of 16,014 people took part in the consultation before it closed at 5pm on August 31.
The result means Eastbourne Borough Council will now move forward with the sustainable scheme, while continuing to refine and enhance the planting.
The Carpet Gardens became the centre of considerable controversy when the new design was completed last year.
For decades, the gardens had been synonymous with highly colourful and formal seasonal bedding, but the council introduced a significantly different naturalistic approach designed to be more sustainable, support wildlife and better withstand the conditions experienced on the seafront.
Its initial appearance prompted criticism from some residents, particularly when comparisons were made between the newly planted gardens and the much fuller visuals produced ahead of the project.
At the time, however, those behind the scheme urged residents to give the gardens time to establish, explaining that the plants could take around 12 months to mature and deliver the intended effect.
Over the following months, the planting has developed and increasing amounts of colour have appeared throughout the gardens.
The council subsequently launched its public consultation to determine which approach people wanted to see in the long term, with a section of traditional bedding retained to allow visitors to compare the two styles.
The survey was carried out by an independent organisation following consultation with community representatives.
Councillor Jim Murray, Eastbourne Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Carbon Neutral 2030 and Water Champion, thanked those who took part.
He said: “I want to thank every single person who took the time to share their views.
“The Carpet Gardens is an iconic seafront landmark, and this consultation reflects that. We will continue developing a display that is beautiful, resilient, and better for the environment. I’m excited to see how the gardens flourish next year and beyond.”
He added: “This has been a positive and constructive conversation with our community. Whether people preferred the new planting or the traditional Victorian style, I’m grateful for everyone’s feedback in helping to shape the future of one of Eastbourne’s most loved spaces.”
Before the results were announced, council leader Stephen Holt had stressed to Eastbourne News that supporters of the new gardens needed to participate in the consultation as well as those opposed to the changes.
He said the council wanted to hear from everyone, regardless of whether they liked or disliked the new appearance, before deciding the best way forward.
The result now provides a clear majority in favour of retaining the sustainable approach, although almost a third of respondents still indicated they would prefer to see the traditional Victorian-style bedding return. The full report can be seen here.
The council says it will continue to develop the new scheme rather than regard the current planting as the finished product, with further refinement and enhancement planned as the gardens mature.
Attention will now turn to how the Carpet Gardens develop during 2027, when the established planting will have had another full growing season to mature.
