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Re:Phoenix Action. Free the Market Lane Two - 2006/05/16 20:33I personally think the Pheonix developement is an exciting and well needed addition to Lewes. People need to face the reallity that the area of proposed developement is 'Grey Land' and currently an industrial area falling apart. There is absolutely no doubt that it will be used for housing eventually, with its prime location on the bank of the river. The government is always pushing for more housing and as none of us want to see more developement into the beautiful green downs that surround Lewes we should be all for, developement in industrial area's.
Plus from an in depth look at the plans for the Pheonix center it has well designed green area's and wetlands and I a river walk. I feel it will be a great place to socialise and be a center point for the creative community of Lewes.
Come on Lewes lets move with the times and not be scared of change !!
If this project doesn't happen, another one will wich may not have such a green consideration !
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John Stockdale
Re:Phoenix Action. Free the Market Lane Two - 2006/05/18 15:07Will, I understand your impatience with what you probably feel is a reactionary or nimby stance on the part of those of us who oppose the proposed Phoenix Development. Someone else was complaining about too much 'negativity'. Opposition doesn't mean we are irrevocably opposed to any sort of development there. It just means that we don't want the one that Angel Property are proposing - which in my view will compromise the townscape and the National Park, clog up the inadequate road system and kill off much of the High Street.
I also have reservations about losing industrial land in a town that has traditionally made things and a development which, according to Angel's own Flood Risk Assessment, will worsen the threat of flooding to unprotected parts of the Town upstream from the Cliffe Bridge. Should we be seduced by the prospect of social housing in the Phoenix to permit an increase in the risk of flooding in Landport where there is actual social housing? I say prospect because developers can use the fact that a site is more difficult than expected to negotiate a reduction or elimination of the obligation to build contracted Section 106 affordable housing.
The developer has shown his plans in an exhibition and whilst he has been prepared to make adjustments in the light of input from the public, he has made it clear that give or take a kink or two in the flood wall, a floor or two lopped off a tower block, an adjustment to the angle of the wall for the multistorey car park, etc - that is going to be the basis of his application: 800 units, 460 place car park, and a major retail and commercial centre to rival the High Street.
The planning process is that Angel Property now puts an application in and the Planning Authority, possibly influenced by our democratic voice, say 'yes' or 'no' to it. Well, I still say 'no'. If any kind of 'no' makes me a nimby, then I guess I'm happy to be stuck with the label.
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s.oliver
Re:Phoenix Action. Free the Market Lane Two - 2006/05/18 17:28Dear Will
I agree with you that it would be wonderful to see a high quality development replacing what is currently by the river. However I wish to ensure that any changes not harm their surroundings. It has become clear from what the developer has revealed that these proposals are currently so poorly supported by evidence that they are virtually impossible to discuss in a positive way. There are no traffic generation figures, no density figures for the surrounding area, no opinions from impartial bodies, no actual dimensions, no meaningful drawings, no model of the basic proposal, and no computer simulation. Mr Style has acknowledged that he cannot proceed with a discussion about his proposals until he obtained more information, and we are all looking forward to seeing it.
Unfortunately the little information we do have makes it clear that the outline proposals are far too big, and will be completely unsatisfactory unless radically altered.
It is important to remember that this is an outline planning proposal for a development concept. Angel has acknowledged it will be selling this site on. Just think of your least favourite, big budget developer, with the worst quality product and then imagine how they may interpret that planning permission on this site if they are the highest bidder.
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Chris
Re:Phoenix Action. Free the Market Lane Two - 2006/05/18 18:04What really bothers me is the total lack of interest our council seems to have in either thinking ahead or consulting its townspeople. Contrast this with Dorchester (the example Charles Style gave us as being similar)...
"The council has long recognised the importance of the site, off Weymouth Avenue, which is a landmark on one of the main roads into the centre of historic Dorchester.
When the district council learned that the former brewery was up for sale, it produced a development brief to help guide future proposalsfor the site.
Local people were consulted about the development brief to ensure that any ideas for the area met local needs and would make a positive and sustainable contribution to the community."
I think maybe our anger would be better directed at our council and our councillors rather than the developer. They're the ones who are letting us all down, in my opinion.
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Elinor
Re:Phoenix Action. Free the Market Lane Two - 2006/05/18 22:33Dear Chris, I would agree that our planners do not inspire much confidence. They have neglected to explain local planning policy requirements to Mr Style and have also failed to provide key Conservation Area Assessment documents for both his and our own benefit. Mr Style has unfortunatly found himself at the mercy of local residents who have felt the need to do the planning officers jobs for them. However, why Mr Style has spent two years putting together a scheme in ignorance of basic local information that would inform and influence his proposal, is rather a mystery to us all.
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Chris
Re:Phoenix Action. Free the Market Lane Two - 2006/05/18 22:59The point I was particularly making is that the people who are conspicuously absent from all these discussions to date are our councillors and MP. Okay, Ruth O'Keefe and Norman Baker have made statements that are published on this site, but they're basically sitting on the fence. I just don't understand why these people (Town Council, District Council, County Council, MP) whose whole purpose is to look after us can't lift a finger to do so. They might as well not exist. It makes me mad!!!!!!!
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