A planning application to redevelop the Lewes Bus Station was lodged by the Generator Group, and considered by the Friends of Lewes Planning Committee on the 1 June 2022. An official objection was subsequently submitted on behalf of the Friends of Lewes:
SDNP/22/02197/FUL: Demolition of existing buildings and construction of mixed-use development comprising 3 houses (Class C3), 37 self-contained flats (Class C3) and 192m2 of ground floor commercial space (Class E), with associated access alterations, landscaping and parking. Former Bus Station Eastgate Street.
The Friends of Lewes strongly object to this application for the following reasons: –
(1) The design of the proposed development is totally inappropriate for this sensitive location within the Lewes Conservation Area and is not sympathetic to the character of the town.
(2) The bulk and scale of the proposed development is too dominant in relation to the surrounding area and adjacent buildings and needs to be reduced significantly.
(3) The site’s important corner location requires a more sympathetic design approach, which effectively links the domestic scale of East Street with the more commercial character of Eastgate Street and as such would act as an ‘entrance’ to the historic town centre of Lewes.
(4) The proposed development does not meet the requirement for 50% affordable housing in accordance with the South Downs Local Plan Policy SD28 which should be the starting point for the redevelopment of this site.
(5) The Society considers that the relocation of the existing bus station is an essential pre-requisite to granting planning permission for the redevelopment of this site. The relocation of the bus station should not compromise delivery of the extant planning permission SDNP/15/01146/FUL or other proposals for redevelopment of the North Street Quarter in accordance with Strategic Site Policy SD57.
(6) As such, the Society considers that a planning condition should be drafted that would prevent the demolition of the existing bus station until a suitable alternative bus facility has been both agreed and implemented.
(7) With regard to the South Downs Strategic Site Policy SD48 on Climate Change and Sustainable Use of Resources, the Society would like to encourage the planning authority to demonstrate greater commitment to this policy and to the provision of zero carbon homes.
[After considering The Generator Group’s application at its meeting in Midhurst on Thursday 8 September 2022, the SDNPA Planning Committee’s decision was to reject it.]
See also Friends of Lewes response to the consultation on the planned redevelopment of the former Lewes Bus Station [September 2021, pdf 328KB]
Friends of Lewes 