Hundreds of new homes proposed for Lewes in latest draft Local Plan by South Downs National Park Authority

SDNPA’s documents went live on Tuesday, May 12, and the SDNPA is encouraging people to have their say about the draft through a public consultation.

Visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning-policy/new-south-downs-local-plan to view all of the documents and access the consultation online.

The South Downs Local Plan Proposed Submission document shows that an 8.63-hectare site in Lewes, the North Street Quarter, has capacity for 685 homes.

It said Area A (the Phoenix Area) could also provide ‘3,500 sqm of business, employment and flexible workspace, medical and health services, leisure uses, retail and restaurants’, as well as a hotel, community space and other neighbourhood facilities.

The document said Area B, which is at the former Lewes Bus Station, could be used for 35 homes and 198 square metres of commercial space. Meanwhile, Area C (Eastgate Wharf) could be used for 50 homes and 400 square metres of commercial space.

The draft Local Plan said: “Whilst the National Park Authority wants to see a comprehensive redevelopment of the whole site, it recognises that planning applications may come forward separately or in phases.”

It aims to improve transport and the document said a key consideration is delivering ‘improved linkages across Phoenix Causeway, Eastgate Street and Eastgate Wharf’. It said the goal is to also have ‘a better balance between the use of the private car and other modes of transport’ to ‘enable the safe flow of pedestrians’ while improving the integration of the area to the north of Phoenix Causeway with the wider town centre.

Other aims for this area include: delivering a minimum of five bus stops with shelters, seating and real-time information; delivering ‘an appropriate level of public car parking’; delivering a riverside shared foot and cycle route; and conserving and enhancing biodiversity.

Another site allocation is land at Old Malling Farm, Lewes, which the draft plan said has capacity for 226 homes. The draft plan said the site allocation Malling Brooks, Lewes, would have capacity for ‘7,040 sqm of employment uses’, while County Hall, St Annes Crescent, would have capacity for up to 200 homes and up to 3,500 sqm for community uses. The draft plan also said East Sussex College, Mountfield Road, Lewes, would have capacity for 200 homes.

There are other allocations around East Sussex, including Alfriston Court, Alfriston, which the draft plan said has capacity for a 20-bed care home extension. The draft plan also said Offham has capacity for four gypsy and traveller pitches.

In an announcement on May 12, the SDNPA said the National Park Authority is preparing its new Local Plan to guide how and where development will take place in the National Park over the next two decades. This will replace the Local Plan adopted in 2019. The SDNPA said the aim of the plan is to address issues like the need for affordable housing, quality development, restoring nature, climate action and the rural economy.

Vanessa Rowlands, chair of the National Park Authority, said: “This is a hugely important time for the South Downs as we plan for the future of this vibrant and much-loved National Park. We recognise places need to evolve and respond to local needs, as well as wider issues the nation faces amid changing, and potentially uncertain, times. This is an opportunity to protect and enhance the things we all love most – our landscapes, communities, cultural heritage, dark skies, wildlife, water courses and much more.

“I’d like to thank each and every person who has helped shape the Local Plan and we’re really keen for even more participation in this current consultation. Please do have your say and help ensure we can make the National Park an even better place in the coming years and for future generations.”

The SDNPA said the Local Plan will be submitted for examination by a Planning Inspector in autumn with a list of proposed modifications to address any issues highlighted in the consultation. The Inspector will make recommendations about any changes and there will be a further public consultation on any major modifications before the Inspector’s final report. The SDNPA said it hopes the new Local Plan will be adopted in 2027.

The Local Plan draft is open for public comment for a six week period until 11.59pm on June 23 this year.