FLOODING:

 

Ever since the flooding in October 2000, every Lewesian resident has been aware of this major issue. Research done by the Lewes Community Land Trust when they created their bid for the site strongly showed that the site, which was classified as flood plain (but has now been unclassified), needs to have water management systems over water defence systems as it's priority.

 

The NSQ website speaks of: Developing a series of options on flood defence, working out how it can be best accommodated in the landscape. Flood defences have to work for the site, and for the completion of the flood defence system in Lewes. A closer look at their current plans also shows water management strategies such as rills and swales and plans to use biodiversity systems.

 

Any new houses built so close to the river may have difficulty attracting insurance under the current government flood compensation scheme, although this is still being actively debated at a national level.