A major public consultation has confirmed that sustainable, bee-friendly planting will become a permanent fixture at Eastbourne’s iconic Carpet Gardens. The results, released on 11 September 2026, show a significant majority in favour of moving away from traditional Victorian-style bedding in response to a changing climate and rising maintenance costs.
The 15-week consultation drew 16,014 participants—a turnout significantly higher than typical municipal surveys. Of those who took part, 69.56 per cent voted to retain the new sustainable planting style, while 30.44 per cent favoured a return to the traditional annual displays.
The decision marks a formal shift in how Sussex’s coastal landmarks are managed. While the Carpet Gardens have been a staple of the East Sussex seafront for generations, the move towards perennials and drought-resistant species is designed to improve biodiversity and protect the beds against the increasingly frequent extremes of heat and dry weather.
The transition is also driven by significant financial savings. Eastbourne Borough Council estimates that traditional annual bedding plants cost approximately £96,000 per year to maintain. In contrast, the sustainable perennial scheme is expected to cost around £12,000 annually. Over the next decade, the council projects a total saving of roughly £750,000.
A regional shift toward sustainability
The move in Eastbourne reflects a broader trend across the county as local authorities balance heritage with environmental and budgetary pressures. In West Sussex, Chichester City Council has already adopted similar policies, introducing bee-friendly and sustainable planting to the flower beds near Chichester Cathedral and at Northgate starting in 2024.
Like the new displays in Eastbourne, the Chichester projects prioritise plants that provide better habitats for pollinators while requiring less intensive watering and replanting.
Official figures from the Eastbourne consultation show that the sustainable approach is intended to provide year-round interest rather than the short-lived seasonal bursts of colour associated with traditional bedding. The council has confirmed that while the style is changing, the gardens will remain a focal point of the town’s seafront identity.
Further details on the consultation and the planned layout for the coming seasons can be found on the Lewes and Eastbourne Councils website.
The transition to permanent sustainable beds is expected to begin immediately, following the closure of the survey on 31 August. This policy shift aligns with wider regional environmental goals to increase urban biodiversity and reduce the carbon footprint associated with large-scale commercial plant nurseries.
