Objectors fear £150m scheme will overwhelm town

From the archive, first published Monday 10th Jul 2006.

A massive development complete with homes, offices and shops will overhaul the small market town of Lewes if it gets the go-ahead.

Proposals have been put forward to revamp the Phoenix Quarter in the centre of Lewes including 800 homes, a three-screen cinema, restaurants, a footbridge, an art gallery and a 400-space car park.

It is estimated about 1,000 jobs would be created and the site would bring 1,500 residents to the area as well as some much-needed affordable housing.

But campaigners fear this development will erode the character of the town and drag tourists away from independent shops and into high street chains.

A campaign group called Phoenix Action has been launched to stop the developments over fears the project will move the centre of Lewes away from the historic High Street.

Lewes resident Denise Turner, 44, of Talbot Terrace, Lewes, is a member of Phoenix Action, which has more than 80 members.

She said: "In terms of growing and expanding, the group believes in no over-development. Children grow too but they don't go to bed one night aged one and wake up the next morning aged 15.

"It's the feel of it, we feel this is over-development. It's too much too soon.

"I think it will change the character of Lewes forever because it will promote it as a shopping destination and somewhere people can go that is similar to Brighton or Eastbourne.

"The history and culture of Lewes is what makes it different from those other places. Because it has resisted this sort of development it is still unique and it would be a shame to lose that.

"There are no affordable homes, as far as we know. There is car parking being provided without this development, and the extra spaces will not make up for the fact that traffic will be much worse.

"I think there needs to be a big debate on this, not just one man coming in with one set of plans. We held a petition last week and got about 500 signatures in just three hours. There's quite a strength of feeling about it."

English Heritage says it is meeting Lewes District Council and the developer soon to discuss the Phoenix Quarter and hopes to see a scheme that respects the character and setting of Lewes and the Downs.

The existing industrial estate would be demolished to make way for the site but developers intend to build a new industrial estate on the other side of the river.

Developer Angel Property will submit its planning application this month and expects to start the five-year project next year.

Mark Froud, chief executive at Sussex Enterprise, said: "Lewes is a unique town of huge historical importance and with a thriving business community.

"In theory the new proposed development at the Phoenix Industrial Estate site would boost the local economy by creating jobs and attracting more visitors to the area. However, until the final detailed plans have been submitted it is difficult to measure exactly what impact the development would have on the town and its residents.

"Issues such as access, transport links, car parking, flood defences and the relocation of existing businesses will need to be adequately addressed and a long-winded planning process avoided."

He added: "The lack of commercial premises and affordable homes is one of the key barriers to growth that Sussex businesses currently face and sensible solutions to tackle this are welcomed."

Charles Style, chairman of Angel Property, said: "There will be a cinema, similar to the Duke of York in Brighton, health facilities, including a doctor, dentist and creche, 400 yards of river frontage and landscaping and a 400-space car park which will service Cliffe High Street as well as the development. There will also be a slipway for people to put boats into the river, as well as a boat store.

"The height of the proposed buildings is mostly only three to five storeys with three very small tower elements that range from five to eight storeys. These taller elements are only one flat per floor and could no way be described as tower blocks.

"The height of all buildings is currently under review and we are awaiting feedback from English Heritage before finalising the application.

"Most of the housing along the river will be raised up on a podium, making way for a pedestrian-friendly area with the cars parked underneath the homes. We are also planning to have affordable housing.

"There will also be an art gallery, artists live-work studios, and a Sussex Innovation Centre, which is linked to Sussex University and starts new companies in knowledge-based industries. We will also provide lots of jobs.

"People are worried that it will kill the high street but it is quite the opposite. The existing high street is small independent shops and we have done a retail impact assessment. What we are proposing will complement what's here now.

"We feel we have an architect capable of developing a scheme that is new but also complements the whole town. It will be a mix of uses that work together."

Monday, July 10, 2006

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