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Boardwalk :: Forum List The Phoenix Quarter General Discussion

michael w   "cautiously optimistic" - 2006/11/25 01:09 It seems that the even handedness of Lewes Matters is being somewhat perverted by Charles Style and that whilst it was not the stated intention of the website to take a position until the expert reports were in and the plans lodged, it may be time to take stock. The developer has now cited his conversations/dialogue with Lewes Matters as participative consultation which in some way serves to excuse him from wider and more pro active community consultation. With the help of the Sussex Express (again) a few lines of an interview have been presented as an overall message and the one view of the meeting with Charles Style offered on the website (so neatly countered in the last Viva Lewes issue) again serves to suggest that there is a process of active and meaningful negotiation going on. The perception of this forum, a fantastic initiative in itself, is one which offers a sense of security to many of the borderline apathetics in our local community; the sustainability issue in itself providing the developer with a ready supply of red herrings which he can throw out at will to put us all off the scent of the real concerns. There can be no sustainable development on this scale on a flood plain and anything offered, whilst better than nothing if the plans go ahead, will be of little more value than a recycled fridge in the "phoenix cafe". It doesn't mean that the efforts of all who have dedicated time, knowlege and personal commitment to get this far are anything less than admirable and noble, but it is serving to divert attention and allow people to think that the parties who have organised themselves to look at this development are indeed "cautiously optimistic" about it and therefore, that it is a "good thing". This developer must be laughing at the people of Lewes everytime he feels he has addressed a concern with his customary lack of detail and that gets misreported - we can't rely solely on the planners and people don't get mobilised by well mannered discussions.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. Harry   Re:"cautiously optimistic" - 2006/11/27 01:33 I agree with Michael W. The 'cautiously optimistic' quote was preceded a few weeks ago by a report in the Sussex Express that a Lewes Matters spokesman had said 'so far, so good'. As I understand it, Lewes Matters is neither for nor against the Phoenix development at this stage. It might be best if anyone speaking for Lewes Matters said 'no comment' until we've all had a chance to see the planning application.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. John Stockdale   Re:"cautiously optimistic" - 2006/11/28 17:24 Michael w and Harry: whilst you are absolutely right in what you say, let's not forget that Marco has put a pretty comprehensive correction on the home page. In fact, you can really feel his anger and embarassment. We are still in a phoney war stage till an application goes in. When the bullets start flying in the Battle of the Phoenix, we're going to need Lewes Matters' energy and expertise in fighting off this developer.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. wavey   Re:"cautiously optimistic" - 2006/12/01 00:16 Given the latest from the council (related on phoenixaction website) where they are proposing a full development brief for the area as part of the Local Development Plan, doesn't all this become a bit irrelevant? Surely whatever small concessions the developers had offered (although I cannot see anything offered that is not in the original proposal, except for the 'affordable' fraction) will only be relevant if they fit in to what is decided to be for the good of the Town's development in general. Perhaps we are to get a rational view on these matters at last.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. marco crivello   Re:"cautiously optimistic" - 2006/12/01 02:55 Wavey,perhaps a last there is reason to be cautiously optimistic.But it is worth pointing out that the Council have stopped short of calling this a Development Brief, preferring instead to call it a "Planning Vision for the North St Area". Perhaps this is just minor quibling,perhaps not.We will put all the documents we have received about the "Planning Vision" on the Lewes Matters website tomorrow, so people can make up their own minds. Angel Property have often drawn comparisons between the Phoenix industrial estate site and that of the old brewery site in Dorchester, now currently being redeveloped.Here as soon as the land came up for sale, West Dorset District Council did indeed produce a Development Brief,running to 37 pages with broad public consultation.Perhaps this may be of interest to you, and others,so we will put that on the site tomorrow as well.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum.

Boardwalk :: Forum List The Phoenix Quarter General Discussion

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