Lewes: Plans for 685-home development approved

The development is planned for a brownfield site in the centre of Lewes

Plans for a 685-home riverside development on an industrial site in Lewes have been conditionally approved.

The Phoenix - a sustainable complex - will include community spaces, a river walk and flood defences.

The scheme will be the UK's largest timber neighbourhood, developers claim.

The South Downs National Park Authority, which has jurisdiction over Lewes, said the plans would bring benefits, including affordable homes, sustainability measures and employment.

Tim Slaney, chief executive of the authority, said: "This a hugely important and strategic site in Lewes, that is crying out for redevelopment and bringing a new vitality to the area.

"It brings so many benefits to the wider town, as well as redevelops the site."

The brownfield site close to the River Ouse, which was once a site of heavy industry, has been derelict for 20 years.

It was the location of Phoenix Ironworks, but was more recently host to Lewes' creative community until a fire broke out in 2014.

'Highway issues'

The plans have been submitted by Human Nature (Lewes), which was founded by former Greenpeace directors Michael Manolson and Jonathan Smales.

It involves the redevelopment of the North Street Industrial Estate and Springman House, in North Street, Lewes.

The proposals include demolishing existing buildings, constructing flood defences, and highways improvements.

Further phases include buildings of up to six storeys comprising 656 dwellings.

Mr Slaney said: "A number of important highway issues are still to be resolved and we're hopeful they can be successfully addressed over the next few months."

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