Greens oppose housing plan

LEWES Greens are pressing Lewes District Council to take a new look at the important town centre Lewes House site which is currently earmarked for between 45 and 60 new houses and flats.

They say the council s own development brief states that the greatest housing need in Lewes is for affordable accommodation for single people.

'Why then are there so many three to four and even five-bedroom houses proposed? said the party in a letter to the council.

'These expensive houses, so near the station, will simply draw in commuters who have little social investment in the town.

'Their daily absence will create a dead space during the day that will affect the vitality and security of the town centre.

Added the Greens: 'Surely the Lewes House development offers an opportunity to create a car-free zone and put Lewes boldly on the map in terms of planning.

'Why is the council insisting on retaining 10 parking spaces in this area which have no relevance to the site and would be a danger to children playing in the public spaces?

'Are they not simply a convenience for a few chosen staff at Lewes House who should be parking their cars away from the centre?

The council was asking people to choose between four sets of plans which 'offer little more than a housing estate , the Greens added.

'Why are the council s aspirations for this site so low? they continued. 'We believe that the current proposals fall far short of what Lewes people should expect from this unique tree-covered site a green lung in the centre of the town, lying between three of the historic Saxon twittens.