Thousands set to join '˜peaceful protest' in Lewes

An estimated 3,000 people are set to take to the streets of Lewes today (Thursday, February 25) to call on developers behind the North Street Quarter to rehome the Skatehouse currently located in the Phoenix Estate.
SUS-150712-091920001SUS-150712-091920001
SUS-150712-091920001

Supporters will be skating, scooting and biking from Skatehouse on North Street at 12.30pm, up to County Hall to demonstrate outside and hand in a 3,000-strong petition at 1.15pm.

A Skatehouse spokesperson said: “A group of passionate skaters, scooter riders and skateboarders and their families will launch a peaceful protest in Lewes against Santon, the developer planning to destroy our home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Our action will consist of a procession of approximately 3,000 people through the town. We will blockade the headquarters of Santon in Lewes until they sit down and discuss a credible alternative to the facility so many young people rely on.

“Santon believe they can dismiss the young people in Lewes in the same way they have crushed the hopes of others on the Phoenix Estate. They can’t. Help us.”

Planning permission for the North Street Quarter was granted by the South Downs National Park Authority in December 2015. Since then, a petition has been set up and signed by more than 3,000 people, calling on the developers to find a new home for the groups housed on the site.

A spokesperson from Santon North Street said, “The Skatehouse was only ever temporary but the Malling Fields skatepark will be renovated as part of the redevelopment of the North Street Quarter.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The petition is at www.change.org/p/lewes-district-council-save-skatehouse.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.sussexexpress.co.uk/

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Sussex-Express/

3) Follow us on Twitter @sussex_express

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Sussex Express - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.