21 June 2006: Developers urged to follow new direction for planning policies

Councillors are setting a new direction for planning policies in Lewes District, as they take account of the South East Plan and carry through work on the new Local Development Framework (LDF) to guide the future of the area up to the 2020s.

Lewes District Council's Lead Councillor for Planning is writing to prospective developers of land in the District to make them aware of important issues that they will have to address when they put forward planning applications.

Neil Commin, Lead Councillor for Planning said, "I have written to developers to make them aware of the importance that will be placed on providing sustainable development - this is development which meets the social and economic needs of today in a manner which respects the environmental resource needs of future generations. The issues that developers need to consider will be taken into account in the preparation of the Local Development Framework (LDF) that will replace the Local Plan as the basis for managing the development and use of land".

The important issues that developers must take account of are:

* sustainable building design
* affordable housing
* essential infrastructure to support development
* flood defence
* heritage
* business needs

Developers can contribute to sustainable design by efficient use of materials, incorporating renewable energy installations such as solar panels and water conservation measures.

Affordable Housing is a priority for the District Council and is backed up by a district wide housing strategy that seeks to improve the quality, sustainability and affordability of homes for local people in the area. Developers will have to provide at least 40% affordable housing in new housing development. New developments must have the infrastructure to support local needs such as water, sewerage, health, transport, education, employment and leisure facilities.

Neil Commin added, "As development proposals arise we will take the opportunity to improve flood defences using public and private investment. However, we will not compromise the quality of the development nor will we approve unacceptable proposals just for the sake of gaining private sector contributions to flood defences. Nor will we sacrifice employment land where there is good cause for it to be retianed to reflect local economic needs and reduce long distance commuting".

As we work towards an approved LDF over the coming months, we will encourage developers to address these policy issues and proposals which come forward as planning applications, especially where developers will be looking to us to depart from our current policies.