Question mark over controversial new Hastings housing development after builder goes into administration

The 140 homes on the Harrow Lane playing fields were approved by Hastings Borough Council in March 2022 after a strong local protest.

Ilke Homes was to have built the homes in Yorkshire and transported them to Hastings. However, Clare Kennedy, partner and managing director at consultancy AlixPartners has confirmed the firm had gone into administration.

A statement published by AlixPartners said the move would see the “immediate closure” of the firm’s factory in North Yorkshire, with an end to “all site activities”. It means that the “significant majority” of the firm's 1,150 staff will be made redundant. The move followed Ilke’s decision earlier this month to stop production at its factory and begin looking for a buyer.