Hastings : 1926 And All That Are the Pilot Field ’ s days numbered ? Vince Taylor reports
The magnificent 1926 grandstand at the Pilot Field Photo : Vince Taylor
Hastings United are currently at loggerheads with Hastings Borough Council over plans to develop their Pilot Field ground for housing and move to a new stadium at Tilekiln Playing Fields in Hollington . Though planning permission was granted in June 2022 for a new 1,950 capacity stadium at Tilekiln , plus an accompanying development of 86 dwellings at the Pilot Field , Hastings Borough Council are refusing to sell the land at Tilekiln because of concerns about the loss The plans for Tilekiln Playing Fields of green space . In November 2022 , the stakes were ratcheted up when Hastings United announced their intention to groundshare at Eastbourne Borough ’ s Priory Lane in 2023 / 24 in order to maintain their Step Three grading . For the club to stay in Hastings next season , they are insisting that the council change their mind about selling the land at Tilekiln . It is understood that providing this occurs , funds allocated to the new stadium project will be used to purchase two new seated stands with a combined capacity of 500 . These will be erected at the Pilot Field as a temporary replacement for the current grandstand , after which they will be relocated to the new stadium at Tilekiln .
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