Government planning order criticised by council

The town of Lewes is in the South Downs but other areas of Lewes district are not

The government has been criticised by leaders of Lewes District Council after it put the authority in special measures over the quality of its planning decisions.

Developers will be able to submit major applications directly to the planning inspectorate after the council was placed under an order known as a "designation".

In a joint statement, the Sussex council's Green leader, Zoe Nicholson, and Labour cabinet member for planning, Laurence O’Connor, said it was being punished "for defending the district against unwanted development".

The DLUHC said it was taking necessary action and working with the council.

An MP said development across Seaford, Lewes and Newhaven was being dictated by developers

Conservative Lewes MP Maria Caulfield said the Liberal Democrat, Green and Labour members on Lewes’s planning committee had failed in their duty.

She said: “Their lack of a local plan means housing development across Seaford, Newhaven and Lewes is being dictated by developers and not building the housing we need locally."

Ms Nicholson and Mr O’Connor said: “This council has stood up against housebuilders and their pursuit of profit in our district, rejecting planning applications that would turn green space into concrete and offer next to nothing for local people in real need of a home.

“In response, Michael Gove has handed the keys to the district to any developer looking to make a fast buck.”

The council is currently consulting on a new local plan.

Lewes district stretches from the Channel coast to the rural Sussex weald

The designation is based on data for the two years ending 31 March 2023.

For most of that time, the planning committee had five Conservatives, two Liberal Democrats, two Green Party, one Labour member and an independent, and had a Conservative chairman.

A DLUHC spokesman said: “We are working with Lewes District Council to improve their performance so the designation can be lifted as soon as possible.”

The order will remain in place until the government revokes it.