‘Don’t let large development on edge of Lewes be a high profile failure’

Developers want outline permission for 226 homes at Old Malling Farm with access from Monks Way and have recently submitted extra information to the South Downs National Park Authority.

But Green councillors at Lewes District Council have major reservations about the current proposals, describing it as the ‘wrong development for the site’ and fears it does not reach the high standards expected in the national park.

In particular they have highlighted how the 15 per cent affordable housing offered is way off the national park’s policy target, plans for 550 extra cars in this part of town and lack of measures to make the homes greener.

Zoe Nicholson (Green, Lewes Bridge), deputy leader at LDC, said: “With only 15 per cent affordable homes, it won’t help those who need a home in Lewes. And it doesn’t provide greener warmer homes, let alone meet all of the good policies in the national park’s local development plan.”

Fellow Lewes Bridge councillor Adrian Ross added: “It also plans for 550 additional cars on the site - as if every household needs to be a two-car household. This will mean far more traffic clogging up our already busy and unsafe roads.

“In a central location like this, developers should be providing attractive walking and cycling routes into the town centre and avoid the need for ever-increasing car use.”

According to the developer the proposals would ‘contribute significantly towards the sustainable growth of Lewes on a site well related to the existing town centre with local shopping and related recreational and community facilities and employment opportunities’.

It argues the development would make a significant contribution to both the private market and affordable housing supply and would lead to the ‘creation of a well-designed neighbourhood in a sustainable location on the edge of the existing urban area which encourages walking and cycling’.

But Johnny Denis (Green, Ouse Valley and Ringmer) also expressed concern, adding: “We need the national park to stick to its guns on affordability and must insist on the very highest sustainability standards.

“They must not let this be a high profile failure. Rather it’s an opportunity to get it right for local people and our environment.”

To comment on the application visit the national park’s website using code SDNP/18/06103/OUT.