Lewes Tesco parking signs removed in row over hours
There was an outcry in Lewes when a notice posted outside the town's Tesco reduced the store's parking time allowance from three to two hours.
The notice has subsequently been removed after hundreds of posts on local social media sites.
Cllr Kevin West has written to the enforcement officer at the South Downs National Park Planning Authority querying the cut in the maximum stay and restricting parking to customers of the store.
He has asked the authority to investigate whether these proposals are consistent with approvals associated with planning consent: LW/08/1388 and the subsequent Section 106 of that agreement.
This stated that, after a request from Lewes District Council, the duration of any stay in the car park has been extended to three hours in order to allow drivers to visit both the store and the town centre.
The document also states that all car parking spaces are made available to use by customers of the development and the existing class A1 retail store free of charge on a short term basis up to a maximum of three hours.
Cllr West has asked whether Tesco has sought approval to change the Car Park Management Plan and whether Lewes District Council has granted such approval.
He concluded the Tesco car park has long served as an important component of access to Lewes town centre and the Car Park Management Plan expressly recognises the role of the three hour limit in enabling linked trips to the store and other town centre businesses.
His views were supported by many in the town. Paula Freeland said she thought the parking time could never be changed as this was the deal when they signed to build Tesco. Barry Scaping said: "This is breaking the planning condition.” And Alyson Evans said she'd be going to Uckfield a bit more often now.
Both Lewes District Council and Tesco have been asked to comment.