Over the last few months a considerable amount of activity has been taking place behind the scenes, with the landowners and team of consultant specialists engaged in finalising the complex design, planning and legal issues that need to be resolved before any development can begin.
In the last few months we have:
- Submitted detailed information to the planning authority (South Downs National Park Authority) to discharge the pre-commencement planning conditions for Phase 1 of the scheme. This is the area that will be built first and includes the health hub, public car park, business units and the majority of the affordable housing. It is expected that the conditions will be discharged by the planning authority by the end of October.
- Started work on the landscaping and appearance details for Phases 2 and 3 (the area in the northern section of the site near to Pells Pool). These will be submitted to the planning authority in the form of a Reserved Matters planning application later this year.
- Submitted sewer diversion applications to Southern Water.
- Completed the Malling Brooks unit for John Gosnell & Co, who have now taken occupation of their new premises. Gosnells are now in the process of moving out of their existing premises in Phoenix Place.
- Secured permission to demolish a number of empty units on North Street and planning permission to turn the cleared area into a temporary car park for public use while Phase 1 is being built.
- Continued to work with the emergency services to design a state of the art “blue light” facility (ambulance, police and fire station) at the Springman House site.
- Met regularly with local stakeholders including the North Street Quarter Sounding Board and the North Street Quarter Design Working Group. These groups are made up of local people who ensure that the voice of Lewesians is represented in decisions about the development of the site.
- The landowners of Phase 1 have also formally served notice on the remaining tenants in this phase.
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Over the next six months, the landowners will be looking to demolish some of the buildings in Phase 1 and to appoint a developer for the scheme.