PHOENIX DEVELOPMENT LEWES
Santon plans to build 400 homes plus shops and offices on the North Street site. Many people in Lewes are supportive of this plan as it is thought that the area needs regeneration with new jobs and retail outlets. Councillors and planning officers are also in support as the housing will also go some way to meeting the government target for Lewes District, and the development will provide significant income for Lewes District Council.
However many people are unhappy with the proposed development as it is too large and homogenous for the character of Lewes. It will increase pressure on traffic systems, health services and other infrastucture by a sudden large increase in residential and commuter population. The town will lose buildings of historical significance along with a blossoming cultural and business centre that facilitates arts and enterprise projects which contribute greatly to the richness of Lewes life.
This website is designed to present the facts and key information in this debate and allow everyone to have their say. This is the only independent website regarding the North Street development. The North Street Quarter website is managed and funded by the developer.
image taken from Sussex Express
a property developed by Santon
image taken from Sussex Express
All you need to know about the Phoenix Development Project in Lewes
Latest News Update...
Phoenix Rising is a group that emerged after the fire at Phoenix Theatre.
The public meeting on 29th May will be discussing their alternative proposal for the site.
It is their view that Santon’s emerging plans for the development of the North St/Phoenix area of Lewes, are not based on a genuine vision for the town, the district or the new community. They believe the proposed development displaces industry, limits social and economic diversity through the loss of creative and community enterprises and does not provide sufficient genuinely affordable housing for local people. They are concerned by the impact of additional traffic on surrounding parts of the town and flood defences that have yet to satisfy local residents. They think the plans do not address the need for innovative sustainable new build that meets a high architectural and environmental design standard, to complement thelargest town in the South Downs National Park.
Their Aim:
They intend to acquire and develop a portion of the land within the development area (minimum 30%) to be funded, built and managed by the community, for the community. Their remit is to:
- provide genuinely affordable, adaptable, innovative homes for local
people;
- maintain and enhance the creative, industrial and social quarter at the
heart of town;
- provide premises for new businesses that will create local jobs.
If you would like to join this proposal, please email
lewesphoenixrising@gmail.com with you name and a short description of
yourself. There will be a debate on what is best for the Phoenix/North
Street area in the Town Hall with members of the Phoenix Rising group on the panel on 29th May from 7pm.
