'OPEN MIND' ON PHOENIX PLAN

Cllr David Neighbour, the council's new lead member for planning, gave the assurance this week in advance of an expected planning application for the area.

'We have an open mind and we will think carefully about what is in the best interests of the town.

'We are hearing strong views about the future needs of the town and its architectural heritage,' said Cllr Neighbour.

'The questions we keep coming back to are: Is this the right kind of development for the town? Will it help to reinforce those qualities which make Lewes such an attractive place?'

The 6.5 hectare site by the river is currently occupied by factories and warehousing.

The applicant, Angel Properties, has suggested 800 new homes, more than 7,000 square metres of business floor space, some 8,000 square metres of shopping, and bars, restaurants, community facilities, flood defences, a riverside walk, cinema, car parking and a new pedestrian bridge over the Ouse.

When the application is received in early autumn, the council will consult local people and interested organisations.

New flood defences will need to be provided in the scheme and the developer has been working on proposals in discussion with the Environment Agency.

The council's policies will require not only adequate flood defences, but also an acceptable visual impact, particularly in sensitive locations like the Pells.

The developer's proposal could add to the existing stock of public parking and take some pressure off the existing car parks in Lewes.

The new access into the site could also relieve some of the traffic currently churning around the town's one way system.

However, such a large development will inevitably be a large generator of traffic, with far reaching effects on the town's road network.