Floodplain development comes under fire - again

The proposal has been made by developer Charles Style, the man behind controversial Phoenix Quarter plans, who wants to move a number of businesses from the North Street area of Lewes to land east of Malling Industrial Estate in Brooks Road.

The aim is to relocate the North Street businesses to make way for his Phoenix Quarter development which proposes 600 homes, shops, offices, restaurants and a cinema.

Angry Malling residents have formed a group called Residents Against Inappropriate Development (RAID) to oppose the plan which they say will put the area in increased danger from flooding.

And this week Lewes Town Council and the Environment Agency came out against the bid.

On Tuesday the town council's planning committee agreed to oppose the plan.

Cllr Susan Murray said: 'I was at the first meeting when RAID was formed and the strength of feeling of the people gathered there was clear for all to see.

'They can't see any reason why their safety should be threatened by paving over a flood plain.'

Cllr Jim Sinclair said: 'In the floods of 2000 we couldn't even get to Malling, that flood plain was in such a state no-one could get in or out.'

Earlier in the week the Environment Agency said it objected to the plan because Mr Style, who lodged the application under the name Terracota Properties (Malling Brooks Ltd), had not demonstrated there were no other alternative sites in a 'lower flood risk zone'.

The town council has received 18 letters of objection to the plan.

Residents concerns included the area's vulnerability to flooding, from both the river Ouse and nearby hills, and a variety of technological and environmental issues.

Councillors agreed to oppose the application and write to Lewes District Council, which will make the final decision about the application, to express the worries of residents and interest groups.