You can download/view an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file containing the results of our Phoenix Quarter Exhibition Survey.

 PHOENIX DEVELOPMENT EXHIBITION SURVEY RESULTS

Comments....

1/ One of the major problems in  Lewes is the traffic. Obviously not a town designed for the motor car, there are only 5 ways in or out of the town. Adding an extra large daily volume of traffic simply cannot improve matters. The minor adjustments to traffic flow may relieve East St but this only means it will detour further round the town before once again passing through the small residential streets around the Pells. The much vaunted Beddingham improvements will make no difference as by the time it is built the natural growth in traffic volume will simply take it back to the original levels. Add to this the considerable number of goods vehicles required to service a new shopping and office complex and the result will be gridlock. Where do we go from there? Is there any truth in the rumour that one option is to re-open South St to traffic?  The Phoenix site is essentially a cul-de-sac. It is madness to suggest putting a 10% increase in the population in such a site and then adding shops & offices. It is simply the wrong size for this site.
2/ Lewes is well connected to a number of towns with major retailers and leisure facilities. If I want to visit a PC World or Currys, they are only 20 minutes' drive away. I do not feel that having any of these chains in Lewes would enhance my quality of life. I feel that the current retail mix represents an acceptable compromise between local businesses and national chains. Attracting major retailers would erode the unique identity of Lewes.   I believe that if the development had a mix of housing with room for local businesses, (useful ones like 'Bill's' rather than 'high end' shops selling expensive jewellery and kitchenware) with cafes and a cinema/arts centre, this would be acceptable to most people. Areas like the Needlemakers and the Riverside show how local businesses can successfully co-operate within a designated space and enhance the local area, attracting customers from every section of the community.
3/ The impact on me personally (as opposed to considering others) will probably not be great.  The area needs development.  Lewes needs a cinema (although All Saints is excellent).  The river needs developing and a river walk will be welcome.  Houses have to be built but sustainability is extremely important.  The use of flint and local materials is good but the library effort is ghastly!  So beware!
4/The exhibition was disappointing as there were very few artist's impressions of what the finished project will actually look like.  It is very regrettable that planning policy for such a major project is likely to be influenced by the fact that the developer will pay for flood defences.  This risks being a very large and indigestible development, which the town could take many years to assimilate.  Developments should grow from the needs of the community - this one feels like it is being foisted on us by people whose main interest is profit, not the good of the town.  Thus affordable housing appears a low priority for the developer - as is family-friendly housing.  The development is also too large.  Part of Lewes's charm, compared to many other towns, is that development has been piecemeal and organic.  The town has escaped the huge post war developments which have blighted many other places.  This development is out of scale and the site should be developed gradually over years, responding to the town's needs, not all at once.  The Arts quarter and square is unneeded - there are plenty of performance spaces around already in Lewes.  Can Lewes really support a three screen cinema?  I fear we'll end up with a poorer selection of films than we get from Lewes Cinema at present.  There was some lip service paid to environmental concerns, with vague mentions of green roofs and water, wind and sun harvesting.  However there were no specific commitments - these need to be unambiguously stated and enforced in any development that occurs.  The site needs developing.  However, this development is too large to do in one go, doesn't meet local needs and is too short on specific details.
5/I have emailed Angel Prop. directly with these points after seeing the latest plans - the plans are very pretty, but I can't visualise what the development will look like. It's imperative to have a physical 3D scale model or an interactive computer model, as I'm concerned that I'm missing things that may need  modification, or indeed being reassured on what parts will look good/work well. Eg, elements like the towers - their size & relative scale - can't be imagined from a flat plan  - The towers I feel are still too domineering & out of scale with the development, let alone the rest of Lewes. Looking at the existing fire station tower I guess it's about 6-7 stories & that's high enough. Plse will you  reduce all of them further.  - In fact overall I feel that most of the buildings need to reduce by a floor to give a more 'human' scale suited to a market town & not an inner city estate. Eg the bldgs at the end of the Pells Pool will tower over it at 5 floors. Also, the bldgs either side of ?Phoenix Way are 5 floors when a mix of 3 & 4 would feel less like a concrete canyon.  - The new flood wall along the Pells Pond is certainly attractive in flint & brick & at 90-120cm you will still be able to see over it, but as the road rises into Pelham Terrace I don't understand why the wall height has to go up too. If anything I'd expect it to reduce with the gradient or at least stay the same height. A 1.8m wall will totally shut off the open view of the Pells & beyond, even with a large gateway opposite Talbot Terrace.  I'm also concerned about whether just a wall is enough to stop future flooding.  - Are the houses/units being fitted with solar panels & rain collection systems being put in to help make the area more self-sustaining?  - A key worry I have is that inevitably with so many properties going up together, like most new things, the place will lack 'soul' (however hard you try with the appearance) which can probably only come with decades of occupation. The residents will prob'ly be in a narrow age band & income bracket, while the retail units will only be affordable to the chains, not the independent retailers Lewes is famed for. Can special rents/rates be introduced specifically for local traders to encourage a diversity of shops & eateries?  And another help here would be to include a community hall to complement your outdoor communal spaces (which in our climate are only lingered in for a few months a year). The area needs a post office too.  All this would help create more atmosphere & character IMO. The success or failure of this development goes beyond the architecture.
6/I work in community health and the PCt can barely meet the needs of the local population as it is.  I am particularly interested in children and young people.  There should be provision in the development for a children's centre which is badly needed in Lewes.  At present there is very little for young people to do.  Having a cinema is one thing but it is hardly the right message we should be giving young people.  They need more field space as well as indoor sports activities - somewhere for them to expel all that pent up energy after being couped up in school all day.  There is a need for a new development but it should be in keeping with the rest of the town.  This proposal in its current form will destroy the atmosphere of the town.  Research has shown us that putting people in close proximity in high rise blocks leads to social discontent.  Lewes already has its areas of social deprivation in De Montfort, Landport and Malling.  We must learn from these earlier planning errors and create pleasant homes that people whether in private or social housing will respect and enjoy living in.  Poor people should not be expected to live in crampt and unsuitable high rise buildings just because they have no economic choice not to.
7/Lets start to put Lewes on the Map.  Provide the cheapest parking possible.  Perhaps cheap park and ride schemes but certaintly that elusive multi-storey car park.  We need the promised cinema, and a computor sports arcade for the youngster (with strict control). Can someone go round the schools as ask what the youngster really want, and invite them to meetings.
8/ I find this questionnaire very "leading". Yes Sussex has had very bad year in relation to water shortage, but on the other hand people have to live somewhere - you could equally ask whether metering should be universally introduced, as whether developments should be rejected due to water shortages. And yes 40% afffordable housing is desirable, but pie in the sky for most developments - more concerned that affordbale housing well mixed into development, not on some excluded edge.  Main issues I would like to raise.  1. Flood defences - how and when have the developers consulted the residents of Talbot Terrace (as they continually say they have - but seems no evidence of it). Also I would want to hear the developers and the Environment Agency (in the same room) discuss proposals. And fed up of developers claiming this as a benefit they are bestowing - this must be part of their Section 106.  2. Traffic - I am worried about cut throughs on Brook Street - which is very narrow and  the general design of the traffic flow around St Johns Terrace just about OK at present would be worried about the pressures in the future.  3. The Children's Park - would defintiely not want to see this as some cut through (ie pedestrian right of way) but kept as a contained safe children's play area. 4. River frontage - developers say that there will be a public river walk - but the plans show that there are areas (e.g Location 3) where no public access is provided - very unhappy with this - don't like exclusive, gated river developments - the public should have a full river walk.  5. Retail space - hate the idea of endless chains moving in - but don't see how developer can guarantee against this. Is one slight protection keeping the average retail space size(and storage) to a minimum to discourage claim.s who won't find the small size so attractive? Can we state in planning classifications a number of units where there is production on site?? Really think this would kill off some small shops in town otherwise. 6. Given the increase in population worried that leisure facilities not available in Lewes to meet increased demand. I would be very happy if considerably more funds put into Pells Pool to have a year round heated pool - this would be a fantastic boost to facilities in Lewes. 7. Concerned that developers see a traffic island as public space. 8. Can I also say I am rather worried Lewes Matters keeps quoting Chichester as a good example - I work there and the centre of the town is full of chains, very little housing in the centre save a few posh houses, dead after 5pm and the town is ageing rapidly - (has the lowest fertility rate in the entire country) - so think we need to be somewhat more dynamic than Chichester
9/The design seems to incorporate a rather fantasy based idea of what sort of town Lewes is. It is not Islington or Sienna, however it was noticeable how images of these places were used in the exhibition as illustrations of how Lewes might look.  I think it is going to be very hard on local light industries in that they will all have to relocate and will presumably be faced with the overheads of uprooting, moving premises and most likely facing both an increase in rent and in business rates.  Similarly local independent traders are unlikely to be able to afford the sort of rents which are likely to be charged by landlords who have invested in this sort of development.  It would seem likely that as has happened in Cliffe precinct only the multinationals will be able to afford the rents charged, giving the townspeople of Lewes even less choice than we already have.  The idea of developing an area with yet more cafes seems bizarre as we already have so many.  As a local trader myself I am aware that there is a saturation point at which stage it is no longer possible to sell more of a product.  A town the size of Lewes can only support a certain amount of cafes or bread shops.  People will not buy more of a product just because more people are selling it.  Given that Tesco are applying to increase the size of their store what is the likely future for independent traders, something which many visitors to the town say is their main reason for visiting.
10/I am very concerned that if and when planning permission is granted it should tie the developers in to stringent conditions about key issues that cannot then be reneged on.  Examples are comprehensive high standard flood protection, inclusion of green and renewable technologies, high quality varied exterior finishes, percentage of low cost housing, maximum number of housing units, specific facilities (eg cinema).....  I mention this because I understand that sometimes developers deliberately submit idealised plans in order to get public support, leading to planning permission, but subsequently downgrade/degrade many aspects in order to reduce their costs and increase profits.  I am also concerned that once permission is granted, the site could be sold for a huge sum to another developer who could renege on costly aspects, unless watertight legal adherence conditions are imposed.
11/ I feel this proposal is essentially undemocratic. We have not be asked whether we want a development of this scale in the town. The need for flood defences, the current lack of progress by government agencies on this issue, and the ability of the developer to pay for them, means the town may feel obliged to accept a development that is inappropriate or unwanted. Developments of this kind should be planned for - not presented as a kind of fait accompli because we can't afford to say no.   This area of Lewes has, in the past, grown organically. A vast development like this one, will change the character of the town for ever. And the development needs to be this big because it has to fund relocation of industry, flood defences and a new fire station - which should be the responsibility of public authorities. If they were delivered by local or central government (as they have in the past), Lewes could make decisions about this site based on what is appropriate rather than what is needed. Having said that, the entire country (and the SE in particular) needs large numbers of additional houses and there is no reason why Lewes should be excempt from this.  I am, however, concerned about a number of issues. This development does not address important sustainability issues (eg sustainable urban drainage - now seen by the Environment Agency as the only way forward for new developments but not included in any plans I have seen or heard discussed). If this area is developed - it should be a showcase for what is possible. There are now plenty of examples of what can be achieved (see Town and Country Planning Association website for publication "Biodiversity by design; a guide for sustainable communities"). I am concerned that the plans remain very vague and appear to tick boxes that will appeal to planners. I am concerned that it will turn Lewes into a "clone town". One of Lewes's great appeals is that it has many specialist, individual, family-owned shops and businesses. If this development invites in all the shops that you can find elsewhere - and finishes off the small businesses - it will have done Lewes a huge disservice. I predict the delivery of this project will not be carried out by Angel Properities. It is much more likely that the entire development will be sold on to companies that have no connection with the town.  Much of the current demand for housing is from families but much of what is planned will not be suitable for people with young children. The information about affordable housing remains very sketchy. The traffic plans remain incomprehensible to me from the maps and description. There some fast-and-loose use of language going on in the exhibition. "Parks" are small strips of landscaping. We keep being told cinema will return to Lewes - but we already have one. I predict that if this development goes ahead, we will have a poorer cinema service than we have now. There is no discussion about how the quarter will be maintained. Without (expensive) care, this area could quickly become shabby - think of the marina areas at Brighton and Eastbourne.  There is alarming talk in presentations and exhibitions about the "old town" and the "new quarter". This may be the most serious issue of all. If it goes ahead, this development could deteriorate into a shabby ghetto that no one wants to live in. Or it could suck investment and trade away from the rest of the town. There is nothing in the current plans to suggest that this development will complement and be integrated into the rest of Lewes.
12/ From the plans I have seen at last weekend’s exhibition I believe that there are some significant design floors within this new development.  It’s clear that the developers key objective is to maximise land use by building up rather than developing a solution that is sensitive to it’s surroundings.  The developer’s consultants have obviously spent a lot of time and effort on this project.  However I feel that the developer has intentionally omitted key details about the development , such as detailed elevation drawings of the visual impact this project will have on the Lewes roofline.  It’s not entirely surprising that this is the case, but I would have expected the focal point of such an exhibition to be a model?  Or at a minimum provide three dimensional drawings depicting the development from different angles.  This would quickly allow residents of Lewes to easily visualise how the development will look in it’s totality and how it will integrate into the town.  Most people attending the exhibition do not come from an engineering background and even though the drawing weren't overly complex, I expect that many viewers would have struggled to interpret them and see the true picture of the development.  Which appears to be a densely populated space with some very tall structures that will not only look very out of place in the Lewes sky/roof line, but will obstruct many of the existing views that make Lewes what it is.  I think in summary, the development could be a good thing for Lewes, but not with the plans as they stand.  The height and density of the project are simply too large for the Lewes and as it stands will have a negative impact on the town.  I think the developer should provide a physical model of the development that can be viewed by the public.  If Angel believe that the design they’ve proposed is sensitive to the surroundings then I’m sure the public will see this in the model.  Otherwise it gives the public a true image of how things will look.
13/ We accept the Phoenix area needs to be developed because it is a run down area in a ideal world we would like to see the area used for leisure with attractive park and riverside walk with open air cafes, however that will not happen.  The development we feel could be more in keeeping with the character of Lewes. The  building are still too high the general height of buildings in Lewes are no more than  3-4 storeys.and the density too great. The Developers have made great play of telling us about this super riverside walkthey plan yetwe are very dissapointed that the riverside walkway only extends as far as the new walkway over the river this is missing a great opportunity to create a pleasant riverside walk to Willeys bridge to join up with the path from the Pells to Offham.
14/ I think its bad for lewes. its too big, the road network supporting this area is much to small. An extra 800 cars in lewes is a disaster. The carpark only has enough spaces for the housing proposed- what about all the shoppers they hope will come. Personally i hope they won't but then we'd have a huge wasted space with charity shops and kids on skate boards, vandalism  ... Having all the lorries for the deveopment would turn the centre of lewes into a war zone- we already suffer from loads too big for the roads getting stuck! We would see a significant increase in traffic just from any new residents,let alone the workers coming into town and then the shoppers. Our infrastrucure in terms of drains is also ancient, we don't have enough water. Its a flood plain. The developers may be expected to do something about flood defences but how long would they last- look at new orleans. its not in keeping with the town and could destroy what visitors come here for, and what w
15/ If this development goes ahead it will change Lewes.  Lewes will be different, I cannot answer whether it will be better or worse at this stage.  There are too many variables, for example if "brad" shops come to Lewes one argument is that it will bring more visitors who will also visit the rest of Lewes to shop.  The converse is that they will all shop in the Phoenix Quarter and not venture into the rest of Lewes.  Thsi is very difficult to calculate. I am biased in that having worked in manufacturing all my working life I would like to see indusrty contine there.  However much of it has gone and commercially the previous owners would not build flood defences.  So some businesses went because they could not wait for government funded ones.  What also worries me is that at some time Wendan-Smiths and Chandlers will go and be replaced with houseing.  Thsi will again push out "dirty" buisinesses to souless industrila units.  Lewes was a mixed town business wise and should continue so.  However the majorty of the land is owned by Angel and they have this propsal.  Here we have a conundrum.  The picture in the Sussex Express a few years ago of a silver blob on the river were frightening and if that development had been given the go ahead we would all have wished Angel had got there first.  So what do we do?  Stop this development and possibly get something far worse or try to get the best out of this one.  Very difficult.
16/ I am seriously concerned about 3 issues 1) traffic management- this development will significantly increase the amount of traffic through the narrow streets of central Lewes & accross the river bridge. Compare the serious decline of the town centre of Abingdon (a similar town) since the development of several housing complexes there. 2)800 houses is too many & will be too dense to absorb easily in the town changing the character & nature of Lewesas a sleepy market town. 3)What guarantees are there that the developers will not change the plans in the later stages of the process to increase the number of units to be built (as happened recently in Marlborough, another similar sized town) arguing for the need to make a greater profit/return on their investment.
17/ The profit motive lives at the heart of this development. In this respect it is not unique. The exhibition & discourse surrounding it is peppered with the rhetoric of environmental care. I was one of the leaders of the campaign against Brighton Marina. This development left me in no doubt about how developers go about their business. The main argument that demolished our case was the contribution the developers would make to the additional recreational facilities the development would provide for young people in Brighton. The plans promised the earth. When the marina facelift was completed we were told the funds had run out. No facilities for young people were developed.
18/Phoenix Development seems to be a cheap way for LDC to improve flood defences, as a trade-off for allowing a huge development, but surely defences in this one area will only make matters worse in other areas of flood risk? Planned buildings are too high- much too high, too pointy, have no relevanceto the existing architecture of town, or the scale of existing buildings. This is not -despite global warming- a plazza or piazza country, there are none in the rest of Lewes & are not suitable as an addition. Multinational stores will just take away more trade from treasured business such as Bill's, Seasons, Harveys, Staplehursts, Bruditz, etc.
19/I have serious doubts about key areas that will be needed to support this mass of new residents- I don't want to rule it out, but flood defences, infrastructure, education, medical services & the needs of residents must be carefully considered if the unique character of Lewes is to be retained. OK, is it just a massive new housing, money making scheme that is paying lip service to what would honestly be a beneficial addition to Lewes.
20/My main concerns are -Adequate provision of flood defences & water consideration technology -Limited increase of National big brand stores, to protect Lewes' unique appeal -Careful traffic management to prevent the Pells area & St John's Hill/Terrace becoming a rat run /thoroughfare.
21/How can you trust a developer who has not told the truth to the people of Lewes & LDC, by telling them all existing businesses in the Phoenix Quarter have been offered alternative premises, when they had never even had the courtesy to come & talk to those people. So this in my opinion leads me to believe that Angel Properties really do not care about the smaller businesses & obviously intend to get their own way in Lewes. It is not THEIR livelyhoods being destroyed.
22/The development should set new standards in sustainable design. This would fit in with the towns emerging town as one of the most environmentally aware. It would be an stimulus to further development in the area. Features should include: -swedish style thermal insulation standards -integrated photovoltal cladding & roofing -facilities for electric vehicles -use of river for transport -rooftop wind turbines -sustainability sourced, timber based structures -deliberately low parking provision -bulk contracts for appliance,advanced energy service efficiency -negotiate opening up of entire town river frontage.
23/The proposed development is out of character with the rest of the town, turning what has been described in the national press as a town centre still with individuality & many independent shops into a souless & characterless development featuring only national chains. The development is not being built with long term sustainability in water & energy efficiency, but with short term unimaginative financial objectives in mind to suit the developers.  The Phoenix site represents a unique opportunity for a imaginative, innovative & sustainable development that would put Lewes on the map & could bring National & International attention to the town with resultant gains from visitors as well as long term financial & environmental benefits.
24/This development has not been thought through properly & is purely a money making excersise. Lewes infrastructure cannot support 800 residents extra placing pressure on stretched medical, transport, travel, schools & water resources, especially water at a time of drought & southern waters inadequate pipe repairal. It will also irrevocably change the attractive face of a small market town that has resisted being commercialised for a long tome. It will lead to over crowding & a changed culture. We do NOT want it at all.
25/The sudden increase in population will over-stretch existing schools, parks, medical services, train services, youth facilities, sports facilities etc. There should be less apartments (there are plenty of them in Brighton) & more family housing units with the appropriate increase in facilities to accomodate them. eg youth centre, green spaces, medical facilities. Lewes is proud of its high street, we do not want chain stores, but affordable retail units for individual retailers. (like Butlers Wharf, London) The development should be a flagship model for sustainable development, in the spirit of community history.
26/ TRAFFIC- congestion going in & out of Lewes, LDC NOT lookI live 2 miles.ing into this ( pedestrian crossings & speed restrictions) WATER/SUSTAINABILITY- development MUST be a flagship eco-development, not more tin boxes & faceless apartments & shops.
27/As an (enthusiastic) new resident of Lewes, I feel there many others who are better informed about infrastructure & services. However, I do feel that the proposed development is out of scale with this beautiful town. Half the size & half the height, then it would be most welcome.
28/Traffic management of any development crucially important. Schools & medical services do not seem to have been addressed. The scheme should be light industrial & residential only- NO RETAIL- but including more parking.
29/I live 2 miles outside Lewes but work & shop in the town where I lived for 12 years. I am sorry not to have seen the exhibition & respond in general terms. My life has changed by the provision of affordable housing in 1974- we still need much more. Lewes is a uniquely attractive town to live in & visit. We do not want identikit shops. Mixed developments worked for centuries & cut down on car use. I am worried about access & increased traffic. A varies skyline is good, but no tower blocks, thank you. I applaud your efforts at consultation & trust this is not the pretence we so often see from large bodies.
30/The scale & intensity of the proposed development will alter the balance of the town. There is no attempt to integrate with the existing character of the town. The infrastructure & resources will not support such an influx of new residents.  PS I note the overbearing tone of the developer in his correspondence & consultation with Lewes Matters on their forum. This is probably in keeping with the over bearing character of his proposed scheme. He threatens claims for 'consequential loss'. The consequential loss to the character & setting of Lewes will be irretrievable. He will be long gone with his profits by then.
31/The 'Phoenix Quartet' has the potential to enhance quality of life for Lewes residents. In my opinion the key issues for a successful development are: 1 Workable & viable transport/traffic routes that prioritize cycling/walking links to town centre & reduce the traffic flow through the town centre 2 Support for local trade by providing more small retail outlets rather than aiming to attract large 'chains'. 3 Contemporary & imaginative architecture that focuses on environmental & aesthetic issues rather than maximum profitability. 4 A high proportion of affordable housing.
32/We are only 7 miles from Brighton, we do not therefore need this type of development, if the area is housing/leisure, where will we get our tyres fixed, where will all these services housed in Lewes.
33/While area needs improvement, the proposals will harm Lewes. 800+ additional people with an equivalent number of cars will clog up the High St & local doctors surgeries & hospitals will not cope.  The buildings proposed are NOT in keeping with existing Lewes - do old buildings have lots of glass or stand more than 4 storeys? I moved to Lewes because it has individual traders, NOT big names. This will put little traders out of business.
34/It seems obvious that a largely derelict or at least shabby area of a beautiful town should be regenerated. There is no reason why new build modrenideas of architecture, planning & environmental development should clash with the historic character of other parts of the town. It is simply another quarter. We need new, exciting ideas - not a mish mash of 'safe' ones-a bland compromise like the new library is the result. But an interesting skyline, open squares & a beautifully planted riverside area as promised in the plans, need more specific details (eg about materials used for a cupola or tower buildings statuary and long term care of trees & shrubs etc,) Continuous input from community & interest groups in Lewes will be needed at every stage of the development.
35/It will change Lewes in a bad way. What about the extra traffic over the causeway let alone the extra parking? Schools/Doctors/Nurseries/Child Play Areas- have these been thought through IT LOOKS AWFUL.
36/Lewes is the county town of Sussex with a long history associated with it & has always been a nice place to live. Having been born & bred here, the changes I have seen in my lifetime have been huge, some good, some bad, & if the plans todevelop the Phoenix Quarter go ahead it will split the town in two & probably kill off a lot of the small traders. Also it will put a great strain on resources. As far as the extra traffic & parking, where is it all to go? Unless there are people who can work miracles it will make others lives a misery.  I do not think it is a good idea at all for the long term future of Lewes. The type of buildings that are being built in Lewes at the moment in every vacant hole are not exactly blending in with the area's they are in. So what will it really look like in the Phoenix Quarter IF it goes ahead?
37/This over large scheme would endanger this old & much admired town which until now has managed to avoid such depredations. It would in effect be a 'Lewes New Town' the effects of which cannot be accurately predicted, but which few residents have anticipated as desired.
38/*Lewes is the county town, it has a unique feel, tradition, character. *My wife has been a Sussex resident all her life, 45 yrs, we have lived in Lewes 16 years. *This is where we decided we wanted to have & raise a family.NOT Brighton, London or Hastings but a fine old rural town. *That is how it should stay. *SE England is far too crowded, traffic/pollution/water shortages are all key issues of the future. Hundreds more people in Lewes will only compound this. *I am totally against any development other than revamping of the light industry.
39/The proposals as evident from the exhibition, are for the benefit of Chardonnay sipping, latte drinking 30 something yuppies. They will flock here & crowd out/displace local younger generations who will not be able to complete price-wise. We need a 'level playing field' most of all.
40/I am sure you will have numerous comments on the need to consider the infrastructure- doctors, dentists, schools, traffic & above all water. As there is barely enough for existing inhabitants and as global warming would appear to select this part of the south east to have periods of drought, is finance available to bring water to the SE from wetter areas? I left Croydon 25 years ago to live in a county town without supermarkets. Given the proposed development I might as well have stayed put, as the quality of life here is being steadily eroded. Can LDC undertake the additional expense of rubbish collection, clearing up roads, verges, road & pavement maintenance, given the lamentable lack of services in these areas at present.
41/Traffic- plans to redirect all westbound traffic through already congested school hill & high st are short sighted. -Plans to redirect approach from east to north half of Lewes via friars walk * station st are just silly. Scale- Lewes centre is predominately 3 storey which is a very happy size. More is oppressive, & most of this scheme is uniform 4 storeys or more.
42/1 Flood defences need special consideration in the long term & the effect they may have on other areas of the river. More car parks which could be allowed to flood will help. 2 There is not enough work in Lewes for the number of proposed new residents, therefore it is essential that light industry is kept in the area.
43/I have already stated my views on the proposed Phoenix Development in a book supplied by Angel Property's exhibition, but I will re-iterate my concerns.-Whilst I accept that the existing Phoenix Industrial Estate is a shabby run-down part of town & would be improved by some redevelopment, I am extremely concerned at the scale & density of the proposed development. 800+ dwellings on this site would completely swamp Lewes & the character of the town would be changed forever. Lewes simply could not sustain such a huge influx of people from all standpoints -ie traffic problems & parking, insufficient school places, doctor problems, increased pollution etc. etc. The scheme needs to be radically reduced & altered to a more sustainable & viable proposition.  PS. Thank you for fighting this scheme on behalf of our lovely town.
44/I did not see the exhibition but can only say that I moved to Lewes from North Wales/Cheshire border in August 2004 because of the unique & attractive nature of the town. Anything that causes further problems to the water shortage/flood threat must be bad. Finally, Lewes is famous (rightly so) for it's large number of individual traders & that is because there are NOT a lot of 'leading brand' stores. We have all we need here. Brighton & Hove for the rest.
45/Unfortunately I learned of the exhibition rather late in the day & could manage only a brief visit on the final morning. I therefore feel very uncertain about some of the points raised above, especially Q12, as I find it hard to visualise the changes that the proposed development will bring. I am not convinced that the consequences for traffic & parking will not be detrimental to the town. Brighton is near enough for the predictable range of 'leading brand' stores. I have considerable misgivings but do not wish to condemn the proposals outright without more information. I shall try to attend future meetings, if any, but am temporarily housebound following an operation.
46/There is a need for this whole area to be considered as a whole & is likely to be the only way that more flood protection can be provided. Parking under a walkway by the river is a good idea. I doubt if the site is right for wholly light industrial use & is there a demand. There are empty premises  around (Cliffe Industrial Estate) There is an acute need for housing & communications here are good. I don't think it is preferable to make extensive use of greenfield sites when  an area such as this could be used to advantage. If the present plans were to be withdrawn the site could be developed piecemeal with much less control over it.
47/High density housing is preferable to sprawl, & there is a serious housing shortage in LDC. To have any real benefit for local people, as much housing as possible in any new development must be kept out of the hands of the commuters & second homers, as much of the new building as possible must be affordable - preferably housing association, so it remains available to the low paid. Light industrial, craft & leisure are all useful additions, but retailing could the last blow to hard pressed independents. Sustainability ( energy, water) should have top priority. The plans look like typical disposal Anywhere - litter, bust bits of art, beer tins floating in ornamental ponds, patches of sprayed grass masquerading as nature, & that awful, glaring, lego-like design. Build it low, build it green, build it for local people - & make it car free (or at least very bus & pedestrian friendly)
48/The rents both charged & expected in the existing light industrial units in the town are so high that they become under utilised. This proves to the planners that there is no demand for them so why not let in the developers to rebuild them into houses. If the planners refused permission- the rents would come down & they would then become used as industrial units providing work places for Lewes residents. With less need to travel to work.
49/I moved to Lewes some time ago because it is a small market town with a good number of independant retailers & a community feeling. We are particularly drawn to the Pells area because it is a quiet backwater & have for wild life. The Phoenix Development will move the heart of Lewes to a new shopping & amenity centre & will create unacceptable levels of traffic & consumerism. Especially rat runs through the Pells from Brighton. With the simultaneous expansion of Tesco the remaining food shops will close. Lewes does not need this kind or scale of development. My family & I will have to move away from our beloved Pells & probably even Lewes.
50/I think that there are already too many chain or 'leading brand' shops in Lewes & the new development should encourage individual retailers. Also the houses should be as self-sustainable as possible. Lewes does not need this kind of development as it is a lovely old town & too many new houses are being built. The proposed new cinema will take almost all the business away from my beloved All Saints. I am very sad about this development.
51/A model of the development would have been interesting - I didn't see one. The houses seemed rather densly packed & inward looking - no view & claustrophobic to live in. The alleyways between seemed rather narrow - possibly wind tunnels? This is a low lying area & to build anything over 3 or 4 storeys would look ridiculous & also adds to the feeling of overcrowding. Whilst I appreciate the site requires massive investment to make it clean & safe for residents to use, this MUST not come at the expense of developing a potentially beautiful new area of Lewes with open views over the river etc. Angular odd rooflines will look dated in no time & whilst there must be different types/styles of houses the architects should perhaps reflect on the  laws of symmetry & its historical place in houses.
52/ The flood wall along Pelham Terrace is the only option to protect Pelham Terrace, Talbot Terrace & the entire Phoenix Development, which we are pleased about living where we do! We also feel a community centre on the lines of Malling CC would be a useful addition to the area. As there is going to be more families living in this area maybe a medical centre which includes a dental practice would be an essential part of the development.  We do not think a 400 space car park is sufficient, bearing in mind we are losing the north st car parks.
53/I feel Lewes is unique- buildings residents & shops. If chain stores are allowed to trade we believe we will lose this individuality & the town will look like any other. Shops like Seymores & Octave could have serious problems if say Comet & HMV trade in Lewes. Parking/Traffic. We know there is a current problem & a new development could help but we cannot expect people to recycle, use less water etc & at the same time encourage people to drive their cars into the town when perhaps they could walk, car share or use public transport.  The Phoenix area looks V. delapidated - maybe this is intentional- but any development must look substantial ( not a concrete jungle with metal bits), it appears to want to encourage the arts, wild fowl, marine life, but we do not want speed boats etc. spoiling the river, polluting, & upsetting the swans. We are also concerned about the existing businesses in the Phoenix area, the already over stretched medical services, schools & flood defences.
54/We thought the exhibition was very good, but architectural plans & jargon difficult for non- architects to understand. Not sure what impact the development will have on the town, just concerned that the character of a country town be preserved. Thought that the elevations looked rather too urban for Lewes & definitely think 6-7 storeys is too high - there is nothing else in Lewes that high for occupation, a tower block is not the same as a church steeple. I think that the river walk is a very important amenity for Lewes. I think that SMALL shops may be a good idea but not supermarkets.
54/I am very concerned at the 'mistake' in the drawings that show the Pells Pool & recreation field within the development. The designs seem to wish to link into the recreation area. At present it is quiet, green & secluded. It should remain so, & not be overlooked by a mass of buildings. At present, only people using the swimming pool can see the swimming area & other bathers. This privacy will be lost. The whole area should remain screened. The plans make great play on the views -sight lines- from the development. That tells us the visual impact of the development -it will be visble from all the areas of town in its sight lines.
55/The proposed new access road is unlikely to cope with all the traffic going to & fro from the development. The existing roads around the development were never built to take the increas in traffic. The residents adjacent to these roads will suffer from poor quality & increased noise which in turn will destroy the quality of the neighbourhood. The long term implications of this traffic invasion should be considered. The whole plan is too huge for Lewes & needs to be scaled down considerably so it won't stiffle Lewes. This river bank site is important & harmony with natire must be maintained.
56/Communities need central pedestrian spaces & socila buildings but also need space for children inc. schools & health services. Whilst the flood defences & riverside development are essential, not at the cost of over developing the adjacent land. The Railway land behind Friars Walk & the Cluny Rd development have 'settled in' to Lewes. They are unobtrusive pleasant living & walking places. We do not need busy city highrise, bistro nor even 3 screen cinema. Traffic still detracs from the pleasure of this town. Our tiny Cliffe Precinct is much used & appreciated. We need people space & flowers. Not another 800 households with cars crammed into tower blocks. The image of San Gimiano was INSULTING!
57/I'm very concerned about the very negative impact on Lewes, all that makes Lewes a delightful place to live & brings visitors & tourists - could be lost. The development may be fine in itself - for a town already full of brand name chain stores - but PLEASE don't take away (which it will) our small individual traders.
58/I do not believe that the infrastructure of Lewes especially the roads, can cope with such a massive development. How many of the new residents is it estimated will have cars? Also, 'leading brand stores' will attract traffic to what has beena mainly residential area of Lewes, The Pells to its detriment.
59/Leaving the area as it is would be worse than going ahead with this development. Lewes needs to be a high density town that attracts tourists if it is going to survive. We need less light industrial & more tourism. Brand stores provide alternative choice for the consumer but it can be taxed more than local traders. If you are worried about the impact they will have if you want to protect the High St traders, stop cars coming into the high St.
60/I do not actually live in Lewes But we have a flat there which we visit frequently. I spent the first 20 years of my life in Lewes & have a great interest in the town.  The same situation as the Phoenix Quarter happened in Hampton Middx in the 1980's when WANDSWORTH council wanted to come in to Hampton, lease old nurseries (plants) & build tower blocks (10 storeys high). A local committee -Hampton Residents formed a powerful committee working on our behalf not to stop all development but to monitor all planning & work in the interests of the local community. As a result there was mixed housing separate from private housing, & it works very well. The Borough of Richmond went along with all the Hampton Residents recomendations, ie no buildings over 4 storeys- accepted, shops- ie Sainsburys & Boots etc. & we are all grateful for the shopping! If Lewes Town Council turns it all down it will be opposed & the town will not get an acceptable alternative, & Lewes really could do with a Marks & Spencer (look at the popularity of Waitrose!) I beg the council NOT to refuse all Planning Permission - life has changed so much in the past 20 years, & affordable & private housing is very much needed as well as good shopping. Good Luck.
61/My main concerns are: 1) Flood protection put in place for the Phoenix will have a negative impact on other areas of the town especially Cliffe & Malling. 2) The retail areas proposed will force independant traders within the High Street out of business. Higher rents in the High Street is already encouraging chains such as Caffe  Nero, Fat Face & take a hold. Many people have moved to Lewes because of the independant retailers and the sense of community created with the juxtaposition of housing & small shops. 3) The development will encourage people outside Lewes (probably Londoners) to come to Lewes & find housing, but the price of the house will mean they will need to carry on working in London in order to afford the mortgages. More housing needs to be available for the young people living locally or who work locally to maintain the community. 4) The effect of light, air & noise pollution on our premises as residents on the boundary of the scheme.
62/High rise housing in Lewes will ruin the visual impact of the town. With poor transport links in the area it will adversely affect traffic & parking. The attraction of Lewes as a small (relatively) undeveloped county town without large retail outlets which create increased traffic. These houses will be purchased by London commuters & will not really be of benefit to the local community. This will be another example of local government ignoring the local community if it goes through.
63/We do not want modern buildings 'dwarfing' the architecturally diverse & very histric skyline that exists - particularly as you look westwards to the pells/elephant & castle area. It will increase through traffic & congestion at peak times on Phoenix Causeway &through Station St/ Fisher St. Lewes will lose its historic charm & identity which attracts so many visitors, if the focus changes to a town centre with chain stores.
64/Local doctors surgeries can hardly cope with regular patients now, my wife needs constant appointments, what impact will this have? Flood defences are still not good enough, as to building adjacent to the river ouse & low lying ground & the flood plain, Housing should not be allowed. Parking for extra 400+ cars (800 houses/flats) when & where will multi store car parks( for new estate) be sited? exisiting allotted spaces cant cope at the moment. Extra traffic will use minor roads, a hazard I can see & school users beware! Refuse/water/gas/electricity/services/sewage/police/fire/ambulance/hospital to name a few, any extra funding to local authority? Or will c. tax rise yet again?  Industries/trades this has been an industrial site for centuries & local employment struck off for gain by 'Angel Properties' in an instant.
65/Am still ambivalent about the project.Can see the advantages in terms of cimema, hotel, restaurants & shops but am unsure of the impact if it goes ahead on the current plans. With regards to parking in Lewes why can't a park & ride scheme be introduced? It would be so much easier for visitors & all the ugly machines & yellow lines could be removed. Frankly I think the parking scheme with all its visual measures are probably worse than the Phoenix. It's all so ugly in such a beautiful town. My friends from Brighton, Kingston, Rodmell, Steyning & Worthing only come to Lewes now if they can park on my forecourt.I'd really like Lewes Matters to address this matter as a priority.
66/Realistically at some stage something will happen on this land. The area is a mess at the moment but although some of the plans are attractive & I don't want to be a NIMBY as I think efforts have been made to make it mixed use and 'different' I am seriously concerned about the size & number of the new residents. We simply DO NOT have the infrastructure(transport, surgeries, schools, post-office already overcrowded & understaffed) I fear this will be an excuse for the expansion of Tesco & other 'trendy' US style eateriesetc. Haven't answered Q12 as I think most of the options are inappropriate of course it will impact significantly but it will depend on so many factors as to how so insignificant is the wrong option. Environmental impact will be huge, renewables etc. vital.
68/We are concerned that the phoenix development will initiate the homogenisation of Lewes- so many towns have the same shops, the same look and the same ethos. At present there is a balance between the 'big'stores like Tesco & Waitrose & the local shops. We're pleased that studio/workshop space will be built to sustain the culture of Lewes. A cinema would be nice too, but on a selfish note we fear that st johns terrace would become a rat run to the new development & make a trip to the pells pool & the childrens playground more perilous. An opportunity to give this area an improved skyline is being missed - this is a chance to make the views better -not to make it warse. A lot of buildings which appear in the plans appear to make little or no use of local materials & we fear that, hoping to appease everyone, too much will be crammed into the Phoenix area with a claustrophobic & ugly end result.
69/The day I visited the expo it was freezing cold (problems with the heater) clearly designed not to attract visitors in its out of the way location,& a pile of garage rubbish was left in the corner. Many glossy photos showed Lewes in a wonderful light- but as it is, not as it might become- otherwise it was hard to visualise the plan as a lay-man. I would suggest a model but the excuse was it would need constant modification- well, good! The campanile/Tuscany hill town analogy was ludicrous! Also Lewes reborn as a kind of Oxbridge- Please! It is a middle sized market town with appropriate buildings inthe modest sussex vernacular - its status as a county town is already reflected in its municiple buildings in the centre- law courts, town hall. Cinema needs already adequately served by All Saints (mainly middle aged trendies) young people prefer the Brighton multiplex anyway & its good to get them out of Lewes on a Saturday night.
70/This development could be a 'green beacon' for the South East & Lewes could be the leader with sustainable development of the area. 800 homes would be too many. How many people per home? Hopefully small & larger units would be built. ALL could be built with solar panels for a start. This would cost a very small percentage on a new build. How about investigating wells newly dug for water - we do not have water for so many new homes even if we all try to save water. Hopefully some commercial units will be available for doctor/dentist. How many children will need schooling? The streets of Lewes are filthy now - how can services stretch? Presumably a new access road will be built firstfor the use of builders, cranes, machinery etc. Traffic flows in Lewes need to be re-thought before building commences. Come on Lewes Build something of which we can be truly proud. Open up the riverside for the benefit of all - leisure, sport. The area does need development, let's get it right. We Love Lewes.
71/With my family I came to Lewes in 1970 & have seen many changes. Some were improvements eg the by-pass. Most were not eg loss of allotment land & too many developments unsympathetic to their surroundings. However these were usually on a small scale. It is in keeping with Lewes to have density over a small area. This development will threaten the balance of the town. With so many newcomers at one time the whole spirit & Lewes culture built up over time , could disappear forever. The adverse effect on key issues instanced above will surely be obvious.
72/The new development in St Johns Stis ugly, out of keeping with immediate surroundings & with Lewes in general and much too high. A very bad sigh as to how the planning dept might deal with the Phoenix Quarter plans. The skyline still looks terrible,seen from the river. I wouldn't wany ANY campanile/watch tower type buildings sticking up so phallically above the general profile & detracting from the view of the castle. I'm concerned about treatment of remaining traders esp. small businesses. My own view will go completely at the front of the house exept a narrow 'corridor view' straight ahead, if there are 3 storey buildings in Spring Gardens.
73/AS I LIVE IN ST JOHNS HILL I AM VERY WORRIED THAT MY ROAD WILL BE USED AS SOME KIND OF 'RAT RUN' CAR EXITING THE P.Q. I AM ALSO CONCERNED AT THE FLOOD DEFENCE PROPOSALS FOR THE PELLS. HOWEVER I AM NOT AGAINST THE P.Q. AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE AS I DO BELIEVE THE RIGHT DEVELOPMENT COULD BENEFIT LEWES
74/I came to live in Lewes in the 1970's & have lived in the Pells area since then. During those years the town has lost it's role as a mixed use residential & warking town which was its unique charm. The 'boutiqueification' of the High St shops is the most recent example  of this process. I agree that the riverside needs developing but would avocate a mixed use one inc affordable housing workshops and light industry. The proposed flood defence wall will virtually annexe the pells park for residents use & do nothing to protect Talbot Terrace etc.
75/ am concerned that the development will have a major impact on the quality of life in Lewes. A no. of issues have not been addressed. 1 The impact of flooding of the Ouse both up & downstream & in Lewes 2 The energy use of the new development & its impact on the region 3 The effect on the water supply 4 The amount of traffic coming in & out of Lewes 5 The potential reduction of the no. of long term manufacuting jobs (not paper pushing & service industry jobs) 6 The 'Yuppification' of Lewes, why does everything have to be smart & new 7 The 'opportunity cost' of not doing something really radical with the Phoenix Quarter- turn it into water meadows/ willow beds & a nature reserve.
76/From the point of view of someone who uses it (except for the dentist) largely for passing through the present state of the area seems depressing to a disgraceful degree. It has to be redevloped & piecemeal redevelopment is quite likely to perpetuate the depressingness. It needs a comprhensive & attractive scheme, such as will make it pleasant to be in & to pass through, & attractive enough to create a further addition to the community of Lewes, such as will enhance it.  When I first came to live in Lewes, in 1964, it was a pleasant, perhaps slightly run-down, town to which people did not come in vast numbers, because on the whole, if they wanted to live in the area they preferred to be by the sea. I liked Lewes then & have continued to like it as it has grown more attractive to incomers. I should not like it, for many reasons, to grow much bigger but it is inevitably going to grow. Piers Gough is a good architect & I think his scheme will provide an additional attraction to Lewes for people both to visit & to live with. I am not altogether happy about one dtail - the skyline, & wish that the high buildings could have slenderer accents ( like Wren's city churches!) This is a detail but God is in the detail!
77/Lewes has a very distictive attractive quality. This is due mainly to the fact that it's size & geography have prevented it being turned into 'anytown' through the influx of chain stores. it has a unique personality & character which is well worth preserving as it attracts visitors & promotes the town and its activities. The planned development will increase traffic, increase the number of chain stores which will ruin small local business' & the unique character of the town will be lost for ever. Add to this the environmental impact of more cars, greater water consumption, an increase in commuter based residents& a skyline completely innappropriate for such an historic town. Th e result would be one which I believe  all will regret in the future.
78/The tower blocks are not in keeping with Lewes' skyline. If all the light industry goes, where will it go to? People need to be able to work near their homes if possible, to reduce the transport cost etc. This development should start 'breaking the mould' on green issues- something that all new developments in future should do as a matter of course. It is not just renewable energy that needs to be considered, but energy reduction through insulation, passive solar heating gain etc.
79/Happy to see Lewes develop & can see that a big scheme allows the underground car parking & road structure. I am worried that the roads in & out of Lewes will not cope with the increased traffic. I hope that the quality of materials & warkmanship will be given high priority so it will 'feel' right & stand the test of time. Also more trees, bushes & permanent bulbs. Put larger pots on balconies & roof gardens etc.
80/I welcome the approach of the developer in engaging in consultation from an early phase. I consider the project a promising proposal but in need of amendment & significant further discussion once key environmental traffic & other analysis have been completed. This represents a real opportunity to both meet the irrefutable demand for new housing in the area using a brown field site & to revitalise a depressed area of town. It is crucial that appropriate flood impact analysis & defence is provided not just for the new build but neighbouring areas. We must take every opportunity to engage in discussion & use planning law effectively but positively.
81/We have recently moved from Highbury in North London & have witnessed Arsenal Football club dealings with Islington Council. After initial consultation with local residents & planning agreements, permission was granted to re-locate the stadium. Sadly, once the council granted planning permission, many agreements have been broken (article in The Guardian 3rd May) Therefore the scheme proposed seems to  be a money-making exercise for a development company, which is neither called for nor needed - they have located a valuable piece of land by a river, and seen how they could make a great deal of money under the guise of 're-development' once the council grant them planning permission, and they start the building work, they will have a strangle hold over the council to change many of the agreements that have been put in place.
82/Horrified at the vast scale of the development - far too many dwellings & therefore people & traffic for such a small town. It would destroy Lewes as it is now. The town would be swamped by such a huge growth.
83/The architectural style is ugly & quite unsuitable for Lewes. The development is too big & too concentrated. It is important that adequate flood defences are incorporated both for the development and the other areas of Lewes. A large area of public open space on the riverside would be welcome.
84/HORRIFIED THERE WERE NO IMAGEWS OF THE PROPOSED BUILDINGS - I KNOW THE 1ST THING PLANNERS WILL HAVE DONE IS MAKE THEM - WHY NO SHOW? THE 'RIVER WALKWAY' WILL BE SO HIGH FROM THE RIVER ONE WOULD HAVE TO PEER RIGHT OVER THE EDGE TO SEE THE RIVER... WHAT A RIVER WALKWAY! THE PROPOSED HEIGHT IS HIGHER THAN  EXISTING COUNCIL BUILDINGS- THE EYESORE OF LEWES FOR MILES IN ANY DIRECTION. FIND ME ONE LEWES RESIDENT WHO LIKES SAID COUNCIL BUILDINGS? MOST IMPORTANT.. PROPOSED MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK WITH RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS ON SIDE & POSSIBLE ON TOP! NEVER MIND POOR WATERLOO PLACE RIGHT BESIDE IT, PLEASE REFER TO NEWLY BUILT RENAL WARD ON TOP OF MULITI-STOREY CAR PARK AT ROYAL SUSSEX COUNTY HOSPITAL, BRIGHTON. DISASTER. CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS ALL SUMMER LONG, NO WINDOWS OPENBECAUSE OF APALLING CAR FUMES, NO FRESH AIR, HUGE CRIME! I KNOW THIS BECAUSE MY HUSBAND IS A RENAL PATIENT. MY HEART SINKS, TOO MUCH MONEY ALREADY INVESTED IN THIS 'PROJECT' FOR ME TO THINK THAT IT IS ANYTHING OTHER THAN A FAIT ACCOMPLIT. THE PROPOSED 'DREAM' IS NOT WHY THE PEOPLE OF LEWES MOVED HERE- IT WAS PRECISELY THE OPPOSITE- TO GET AWAY FROM IT!
85/I have touched on the effects on medical and education sevices as well as social care in a previous question.  As far as I understand it the developers will contribute to a limited amount of flood defence but Lewes flood defences will still be incomplete. Does this over-development therefore not contribute to an increase in flood risk?
86/Lewes cannot in my opinion support a higher population than it already has. More building on the flood plain will be disastrous primarily as regards water provision and flood impact on the rest of the town. Traffic, amenities and services will be badly affected by a high concentration of new houses. Landport and Malling estates are already putting a strain on police resources in Lewes with so much violence and antisocial behaviour at night. The Phoenix industrial area should be left alone. As regards the proposer of the development, Charles Style, it is evident that he uses unscrupulous methods and is untrustworthy. (He is currently being sued by one London borough.) Several businesses in the Phoenix area have suddenly gone bankrupt or decided to move, which I think is suspicious to say the least. The only developer whom I would trust with such a project would have to have a track record of tasteful, considerate buildings, proper behaviour and no court cases pending. There are people like this around but, of course, not nearly as wealthy as Style. I suggest that the district council take a firm hand and require Style to conform to the wishes of the majority of Lewes residents, fairly represented in this survey.
87/I have no objection in principal to the Phoenix estate being developed - handled appropriately it could be very good for Lewes. But I would hate to see the town taken over by chains and blighted by insensitive architecture. If the developers would take Poundbury (the Prince of Wales pet project in Dorset) as inspiration, it could all work out beautifully. But if we end up with new brick/pvc/cheaply built buildings that start to look tatty within a few years of construction, it could be hugely damaging to Lewes.
88/Flood defences, infrastructure & medical services are clearly of no interest at all to the developers. 2) An official weight restriction notice is situated in Lancaster St. 3) The 'public right of way' (Lancaster St to Spring Gdns) offered by the developer goes right through someone's private garden!
89/The quality of living standards for existing residents & visitors will be effected by the proposed development which will have a negative influence aesthetically & socially. Increased car use-therefore pollution/parking/overcrowded roads. Increased demand on existing infrastructures. Changing the cultural identity of the town, which usually benefits from local traders etc. Consideration to be given to a development which may benefit the town & enhance existing cultural identity & with emphasis on feasible infrastructure.
90/The expense of providing flood defences to the Phoenix Industrial area seems to be the reason why such a high density of housing is proposed, but this development is totally out of scale for Lewes. *It is not fair play to use or depend upon existing services or amenities - surgeries, swimming pools, schools, recreation space etc... *East Sussex needs affordable housing ONLY & this is an urgent need. Every private house built diminishes the chance of ever satisfying this need. *Piers Gough is being used as a front to obtain Planning Permission.
91/I have lived in Lewes for 35 years & hope to spend the rest of my life here. If Lewes is to maintain its current character it need to grow a bit so as to sustain (hopefully) more 'proper' shops & amenities. Without a development of the scale proposed I fear facilities & ameneties will wither over the next 20 years. It would be nice if there were more low cost housing involved but without strong government intervention we cannot expect a commercial development to pay more than lip-service - we live in a market economy. So I'm strongly in favour - smaller drip drip developments - glorified infilling - will not achieve the ctructured growth needed for Lewes to maintain its character whilst competing with neighbouring centres of population.
92/Many answers need qualifications. For example, the current parking/traffic scheme is woeful both in its impact on visitors to us & aesthetically - & it looks likely to be made worse shortly, any other parking therefore on the surface would be an improvement but it depends on how it is planned & rearranged - Park & ride for example would be good; 800 new houses with 400 new parking spaces would not.
93/Parking needs to be addressed in Lewes as a whole. Sufficient water & a reasonable number of Lewes need to be linked. Affordable housing in the SE should be a priority- nurses & teachers for example find it almost impossible to get on the housing ladder. If leading brand stores come to Lewes the town will change entirely- Brighton is near enough for them, local traders will definately go oout of business & the character of Lewes will disappear- it will become like any other ordinary town in the SE.
94/Lewes is rare in the S.E. in thet it is a county town which still has its historical charm intact. It is very attractive, relatively clean place to live. Any develpoment needs to be eco friendly, in keeping with historic Lewes, using local materials ie flint, spacious planted areas, affordable for ordinary local people. We do not want multi cinema complexes, car parks, tall buildings and ugly skyscraper bblocks.  Pedestrian areas should dominate Lewes is too small for any  more cars. This town is at its maximum size now more terribly designed development is a seriously bad idea.  SAVE LEWES NOW- ABANDON THIS VERY BAD IDEA NOW-EASY.
95/A major development such as this planned one will undoubtedly have mixed results. some level of development is a good idea bringing housing and perhaps some new shops. However a plan on the scale proposed is totally out of keeping in Lewes and will swamp the existing traders. Part of Lewes' charm has been its ability to resist the 'clone town' mentality & I have no desire to see all the chain stores here. I particularly think Tesco is big enough now. Lastly will the existing flood defences be enough for this new level of development?
96/-Who will live there, I hear different opinions- will it be for young people without families, older people only, or will there be a mixed-age & class community? As an older person, I'd welcome sheltered housing in a mixed community. -Where will the children go.
97/believe strongly that such a development would severely alter the character of the town- it is essential to preserve this if lewes is to conyinue to attract residents, tourists, shoppers. Also concerned about parking, pollution, environmental impact of over development in the town.
98/The very idea of a massive Phoenix development sends shivers down my spine. I have lived in Lewes for 27 years. Its small, compact opulation means that it remains a safe friendly intimate ideal setting for every age group from young to old. It feels safe, I dread the idea of the Phoenix development which feels massive, overbearing & inappropriate for its river bank setting.
99/The main problem for traffic in Lewes is a lack of bold support for pedestrians & cyclists in preference to cars, not the new development.  Flood defences are crucial but use dykes not walls & consider a canal to add to the capacity of flow through Cliffe- think Venice! Prioritise renewable energy- the development should feed into the grid more than it takes out. Aim towards making the development & the rest of Lewes as car free as possible- much more so than now. Keep the height below 4 storeys.
100/Although the Phoenix site at present does need 'something' we feel this development is far too ambitious and certainly NOT in keeping with our lovely town.Since moving down to Lewes from 'suburban' Surrey we thank our lucky stars that we did move here and find it quite appalling that a development of this nature could be given the go ahead, spoiling what is becoming so rare these days, a place still with a HEART & SOUL.
101/I have long thought that the area in question could be better utilised and the river frontage in fact a system of locks to maintain & control water levels & incoming tidal flows could enhance (as well as help with flood defence) the river front. The doctors surgerys in town are under utilised & need more patients on their lists so this would be good for them.
102/The proposals are still an overdevelopment as lewes still doesn't have the infrastructure to cope with the additional needs- doctors, schools, employment opportunities, safe pedestrian routes, human scale activities. There do not seem to many beneficial aspects of this project- even help to the flood defences along the river & the Pells do not go far enough to help Landport or the town centre/Eastgate area. We need green space, environmentally secure smaller developments with the impact on the whole of Lewes properly discussed before misjudgements are made.
103/Lewes is a unique town of significance- not just in its locality, but in its architecture & atmosphere. I can appreciate that some redevelopment may be good for the town- but not on this massive scale.
104/I could not answer Q13 because it is impossible to predict from the information available. The exhibition is exiting & certainly the idea of a develpoment of a river walk & some residential   is an imaginative idea.But the scale seems too large & especially the high rise flats. The traffic access could be difficult, & the arrangement of dwellings around courtyards could be rather mean & might easily fall into slum like areas eventually.
105/My main concerns are by putting in cinemas & main brand shopping you will cause early hours disturbances as youths head home especially if more bars with long opening hours are introduced- Malling & the park are already a magnet for nightly disturbances, I can no longer sleep with my windows open at night, the skatepark & playground introduced in 2005 have caused that. The real burden will be extra night lighting introduced- noise levels at all hours- sadly the views accross the town from Malling Down & Offam will be dominated by high rise. Do we really want another Lewes District Council EYESORE on the horizon? Tidy up the sight yes but its good to see a working town still just that. New housing only tends to put pressure on the area sadly, Traffic direction seriously need careful planning for all those living around North St. We need more affordable housing but we don't need big business empires to dictate to us just for the sake of a few cheap builds, which is all you ever get.
106/We are totally against this development. The infrastructure of Lewes is already under strain especially with extra challenges like the continuing possibility of flooding. Car traffic in the town already poses serious problems with the streets gridlocked every time it is raining. Lewes is just not big enough to absorb a development of this scale. An influx of new residents would also cause problems in local schools which with the exception of Pells are full & over-subscribed.
107/I am concerned for the town of Lewes as a whole, the repercussions that will impact on the town.  1) are we to have new sewage works 2) the impact on the present traders 3) where will the extra children be educated 4) where will the extra cars park.
108/I feel such a development with high storeys will change the entire character of a beautiful old town like Lewes, especially as it will be in a very prominant position on one of the main entries into town.
109/I may be over 75 but I have lived most of my life here. What about education- schools are already overcrowded. Why do we need more stores, we have enough already. Why not give children now more facilities not just when someone has a bright idea on how to make millions! Why do we have to compare with Brighton- we are a small town not a city.
110/My main concern is that the uniqueness of Lewes will disappear by developing yet another shopping mall away from the main high st. Whilst the top of the high st ie by that I mean around the castle area will probably not suffer. I believe cliffe area will. If the new areas are to welcome 'brand'stores, will boots, whsmiths, woolworths be able to move to the new area? If so, what becomes of the current buildings? Lewes has enough charity & antique shops! But seriously the departure of these stores will have a seriously detrimental effect on Cliffe.
111/I welcome this questionnaire.-Can we have a similar one about the proposed Brighton & Hove Albion FC stadium at Falmer?
112/Lewes does need more facilities & I think that building on an area already developed (brown field) is much more beneficial than building on the greenbelt. I have no objection & support the development provided it is as environmentally friendly as possible. I consider that there is a need for more housing, so this is a preferable option. It is up to the purchasers if they want to buy on a flood plain.
113/I did not see the exhibition but read carefully your article/reportin the Lewes News. My answers are baed on this. The questions are very 'basic'- and don't allow for important qualifications -eg. 'seriously bad impact if...' But keep up the good work!
114/The local schools are already under strain, the flood defences are not guaranteed, the infrastructure cannot cope with increased traffic (which is why we got the bypass!!!!!) We already have a cinema and a good, vibrant range of shops and restaurants etc. We do not need this development and the town and it's residents will be adversely affected by it. Perhaps the planning officers should be forced to live in it if they approve it in it's current form.
115/At the exhibition I spoke to the developer who clearly has no idea what impact this will have on the existing high street as he told me he envisaged it being Dr Surgerys and the like. I had just  signed a new 12 year lease on my existing shop and was horrified. He told me a feasibility study would be carried out regarding the impact on the high street - haven't heard a thing. This development is overdevelopment for a caring town the size of ours. What with this and the proposed Tesco enlargement, I fear for us small independant traders.SAVE OUR SMALL SHOPS. I will be signing up to the campagn for National Independants Day June 1st & not encouraging the multiples to our town in the future.God help the High Street if it happens.
116/The development feels like a profit led invasion based on a misunderstanding or Lewes and its population. Its arrogance is staggering. The plans to annexe the Pells Pond,Pells Pool and lane area in the original proposal are a microcosm of the whole ethos- grabbing assets that belong to the people of Lewes for the benefit of the developer. The 'campanile' idea is staggeringly insensitive, revealing the Islington (holidaying in Tuscany) origins of those involved with no sense of the priorities of this very active community. If we wanted a high-rise sky-line we would have probably settled in New York or London and if we wanted ersatz buildings we'd be on Barratt estates.
117/I feel that the development should not be determined by the plans or financial or economic requirements of a developer. Instead it should be based on a mixture of development/developer, local resident & local business requirements. This should be ensured through a transparent approach to planning at all stages (eg. both pans & financial business cases should be available where they do not impact on commercial considerations).
118/This is a metropolitan development unsuitable for a town in a countryside environment. The multi-storey blocks will destroy the inspiring view of Malling Hill & The Combe. The hospital, dental, water, sewage, social services & transport services are already over-stretched in the area, with little support from Central Government. High prices are making living in Lewes very difficultfor low incomr families and small businesses, these are the people whose rrots are here, whose families have lived here for generations, who give Lewes its unique character.
119/The area as it stands is wasted, and can be dangerous at night especially for lone women. Lewes desperately need affordable housing for its young people who are just starting out as independent adults. Development is a real opportunity to pioneer real sustainability- this should be a non-negotiable part of planning permission.
120/SUCH NEW DEVELOPMENTS AS M-STOREY CAR PARK, CINEMA, WILL BE A GOOD THING. ALSO ROUNDABOUT AT THE EXIT FROM WAITROSE.
121/It appears that overdevelopment is the only way that flood defences can be paid for. We do not understand why the total price of this must be part of the developers cost.  There should be more consideration given to social housing. There needs to be another river crossing to avoid congestion at the Phoenix Causeway.
122/At the moment the place is a complete mess, almost any development other than (very) high rise would be an improvement.
123/I feel that this development is not trying to integrate with Lewes. As it stands on its own, I guess it is OK, but like the rest of the areas in Lewes it needs as schools, doctors, dentists etc- where are all the people going to go otherwise? It is very selfish to expect the rest of Lewes to take on these expenses etc. High Street Chains are very, very worrying- again its not 'Lewes'. Lewes is fairly unique in it has very few of these bland off the shelf shops & there is good reason! Go to Brighton for M&S & GAP and all that is commercial & money that is not put back into the community. We've got Tesco as it is! Costa Coffee etc. More integration & as green as possible as again it is selfish not to think of the future. & on a positive note- be a shining example of a communitee project we can all be proud of. Thanks for all this as I had not the energy to do more now (baby nearly here) I hope to help & contribute more soon.
124/We must see a photomontage or model showing the development against the Lewes skyline from the position of the east bank of the river-from about Tesco northwards. I have given no answer to some questions- no-one can be in a position to judge the effect of the development at this stage- for example the effect on the traders will depend on who takes up shops, offices & workshops in the phoenix quarter.
125/I have filled in 'no answer' to many questions because I simply don't know- how can anyone know at this stage? This development COULD be a very positive thing for Lewes or it could be a total disaster. While I am in favour of keeping the developer on a tight rein, I feel that this questionnaire has a negative bias. The developer MUST be persuaded to supply a photomontage of the development showing the proposed new skyline as seen from the river.
126/I did not see the exhibition I was either away or there was not enough publicity so some answers are only a result of hearing about plans. I think it is a great idea but to make it work it must: Have a central multi-storey car park so that people all shopping areas ie phoenix & cliffe There should be a single lane accessbridge built over the river behind Tesco so that there is only exit traffic coming out onto the present one way system. OTHERWISE 'NO GO'.
127/Lewes is unique in many ways & it would be a real shame to redevelop it to such an extent that it lost its character. In particular, the town is known for its high proportion of indevidual traders, people come to Lewes because it offers something different- bringing in a large number of leading brand stores would turn Lewes into a clone of hundreds of other small towns. There should be space in the development for light industrial use (where are all the new residents going to work if the town becomes largely reidential?) While a cinema & more cafes etc. would be welocme how are schools, social services, etc. going to cope with a large additional population? The survey does not mention the effect of building many new homes on a flood plain. The problem with dealing with existing flooding which the exhibition covered in a decidedly airy fairy way, would be exacerbated by the loss of more land to concrete and the additional waste-water & sewage, resulting from more housing. Q 9 refers to current water shortages in sussex is it not asking for trouble greatly to increase the population of the town when there is likely to be insufficient water for existing residents?
128/The extra traffic across Phoenix Causeway, Cuilfail Tunnell & Malling Hill will ensure gridlock not to mention into the town from the other compass points. The new residents will only sleep there-not take part in town life- Phoenix Ghetto. Why does the company refuse to reduce the no. of dwellings? Nothing to do with the profit margin then? Water, sewage etc.
129/Have no objection to plan in priciple but feel a) too many 1 bed flats b) 800 flats far too many for town to absorb c) inadequate parking provided d) tower blocks are still too high e) brand name stores will detract from Lewes charm, too many clone type towns already f) it WILL flood.
130/Prefer to keep the area as light industrial or Community park land. If it must be developed then: 1 Must be no cars (see Grenwich Village development) 2 Absolute committment to affordable housing 40%++ 3 Absolute committment to sustainable energy in production processes & for buildings themselves eg harvesting water,solar/wind-heating etc 4 No brand stores, a disasterous idea. 5 Infrastrusture, education & medical services-comprehensive public proposals a necessity.
131/Not having seen the 2nd exhibition I cannot comment fully. However I still have serious reservations about the impact of the development in terms of it radically altering the very essence of Lewes & in terms of there being insufficient infrastructure to cope with increased pressure on local facilities, schools, GPs etc. The issue of flood defences is also of concern as it seems the area of the development itself would benefit from improved defences but it is not clearwhat 'knock-on' effect this would have on other areas of the town.
132/GIVEN WHAT HAS BEEN ALLOWED IN ALBION ST & ST JOHN'S ST I WOULD NOT TRUST LOCAL PLANNING OFFICERS & COMMITTEE TO 'CARE' ABOUT LEWES OR ITS RESIDENTS; DEVELOPERS & ARCHITECTS CERTAINLY WOULDN'T. I AM NOT AGAINST A COMPLETE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA WITH FACILITIES FOR ENTERTAINMENT, LEISURE,SHOPPING SOME OFFICE/LIGHT INDUSTRIAL. THERE SHOULD BE A TRANSPORT ENTRY/EXIT ON THE FAR SIDE AS WELL AS THW TOWN SIDE. I LIVE IN SUN ST WHICH ISALREADY OVERUSED AS A THROUGH ROUTE. I ALREADY WANT TO LEAVE LEWES; THE DEVELOPMENT & FUTURE PLANS -AND THE PARKING RIP OFF COMPOUND THAT DECISION.
133/1)Proposed development suitable for a large city not a small county town 2)Buildings & podium proposed are su high compared to existing town; Pells residents will only see the very tops of Malling Downs for example. 3)The under-podium will be a most unpleasant new scene for Lewes. How will crime be prevented? 4)Extensive podium prevents proper gardens or large enough trees. 5)All these 1&2 bed flats will suck in newcomers. Whole development should be affordable housing.
134/Exhibitions should show computer aided models of how the development will impact upon infrastructure, education etc. For example it could give a detailed analysis of how many extra people would be living in Lewes as a result of the proposal, their expected age ranges & therefore education/health needs etc. Available services currently within the area could then be assessed against these needs & a developer should be required to prove that any shortfall is funded & made available. This happens in Sweden & many other European counties.PS please put your next Questionnaire on your web to save paper.
135/I moved to Lewes as it seemed a lovely unspoilt county town which residents & visitors loved & were proud of, also the history, the older beautiful buildings & cottages & beautiful views of the castle& downs. But gradually I have come to realis ther are people who wish to destroy this towns character & mould it the same as all other towns. What should be done to make much more of our lovely river for visitors & residents to enjoy by way of riverside cafes, boating nature reserves etc.Which would bring extra to the town not HUGE HORRIBLE HOUSING COMPLEXES which will ruin Lewes.
136/1)Serious concern that building flood wall alond Pelham Terrace in Pells area may result in trees being felled. 2)The development is simply too large- it will swamp existing Lewes & its count town atmosphere 3)We do not need 'stores' in Lewes there are enough of the in Brighton-15 minutes away. 4)Fear that tall buildings will be built- that the local council will 'cave in' to developers plans for high buildings. 5)The developers suggestion to use Brook St as an entry/exit route to Phoenix a residential ares with children playing, the pells pool etc.
137/The Phoenix Development represents another example of the 'big guns' winning through money, social standing, power & talk. These 'big guns' represent corporate mentality, blandness for the masses & superficial values in life. I don't believe it is in the best interests of the peple of Lewes. I believe it is mainly for their own benefit, they will make large amounts of money, increase their own business credibility and of course their egos. lewes is a uniquely divers & creative town in the South East. Keep it that way, sure, make use of the land down by the river, but in a sustainable, creative way that focuses on community living, not consumerism & capitalism.
138/Already too much traffic, several hundred more cars & Lewes will be gridlocked. The majority of buildings erected over the last few years are hideous &totally out of keeping with what once was a lovely town. As the majority of the house will be 'luxury' ther will not be provision for the 2,3 or 4 cars so many people here already have.
139/There are too many people in Lewes that want Lewes to stay under developed for ever, not taking into account the increasing & increasingly modren population. The same thing applies to the tesco development. I hope it goes ahead.
140/I AM COMPLETELY AGAINST THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT. WHILST I CAN SEE THAT THE RIVERSIDE COULD BE DEVELOPED SLIGHTLY TO INCLUDE WALKS AND PERHAPS A CAFE, WHAT ANGEL PROPERTIES ARE PROPOSING IS LIKE ADDING UCKFIELD ON THE EDGE OF LEWES. THE PROPOSED SCULPTURES WILL SIMPLY GET VANDALISED & THE FLOOD WALL FRONTING THE PELLS IS MADNESS! IN ADDITION NO THOUGHT HAS BEEN PAID TO ACCESS BY TRAFFIC TO THIS 'NEW TOWN'
141/I feel that if the scheme is developed within bounds it is overall positive. My major objection is to the housing being for singles or couples who are more likely to be commuters and therefore not form a social unit like other areas in Lewes,  thereby losing community character.
142/800 homes in this area, some planned as several storeys high will radically affect traffic, congestion, parking, the provision of services (& availability) in the town including access to shops & transport & the environment. Lewes will lose its character & charm. Its skyline will be irrevocably damaged. This area & other will be flooded in due course. This entire proposal is driven by financial greed & the cost will be what makes Lewes an extraordinary place to live, its balance of population, small traders, absence of brand names shops, scenic beauty & the ambience that provides.
143/Schools in Lewes are already oversubscribed as well as doctor & dentist surgeries. Too much traffic & not enough parking- the town cannot cope with so many more people, children & cars, and ther will be a major catastrophe when the river next bursts its banks and floods the town.
144/I think the siting of the retail outlets in the new development is crucial. For these to be sucessful they need to be opposite Waitrose ie. as near to the existing shopping centre as possible. This means they will become an integral part of the town not isolated in the new development which could become like a ghetto.
145/The proposed new development is an excellent opportunity for both residents & visitors. Stop talking about it & get on with it.
146/Very few housing developments address parking shortages adequately. Lewes is known for its unique character - it is PROVEN that large chain stores destroy town's character.
147/I feel Lewes has been hijacked by the issue of flood defence & risks being in effect blackmailed into accepting this scheme. Because it includes flood defence it has also to incluse high density housing & commercial enterprises to make it pay. In an ideal world this area should become public open space which is designed to act as flood storage. I think this scheme will dramatically change Lewes largely for the worse. We pride ourselves on being an organic town with many small independant traders. This scheme risks turning the town into a clone of many others in southern England. If the scheme has to go ahead the district council should ensure that it is an example of sustainable development & that it doesn't mean the odd bit of green space tacked on the edge & the occasional water butt!
148/It is very regrettable that flood protection is such a significant factor in the development proposals- there is a risk that Lewes will accept a poor scheme because of flood protection offered. Any development needs to be highly energy efficient & also very efficient in water management- utilising grey water and minimising run off. Successful develpoments grow from the needs of the locality. This is too big a development for Lewes to digest in one go & it doesn't address key issues such as affordable housing. Scrap the cinema it will become a white elephant. Have a multi-purpose auditorium.
149/Lewes is unusual i being a  small county town qwith only light industry & a small population. A proposal for 800 homes brings a population increase of some 2000, or around one seventh. This town cannot support such an increase, especially given the problems it is already facing with the existance of tescos & the 'red menace' NCP. Part of the character of Lewes is its assortment of small local businesses in the retail trade. To bring more of any sizewill only increase the problems these are already facing, & to bring in chain stores is several more nails in the coffins of these stores. Finally to propose 800 homes in an area that was underwater 6 years ago is lunacy, whatever 'flood defences' are proposed!!
150/I had serious reservation about the styles of architecture as proposed as they did not seem in keeping with the character of Lewes & the existing styles of architecture.
151/ I had serious reservation about the styles of archetecture as proposed as they did not seem in keeping with the character of Lewes & the existing styles of archecture.
152/developer should think carefully about what materials are used, brick, flint, timber, slate & other natural materials. there must be GOOD multi-storey parking, no stainless steel or zinc cladding. there should be good river frontage and water meadows for wildlife, what about some little boats? Lewes only need VERY sympathetic & appropriate development with affordable & well designed housing. NO PASTICHE 'CAMPANILLES'
153/I feel Lewes is already over-populated & I would prefer it to become part of a national park-when I imagine this gross expansion (in size not quality)would not be allowed. If we addressed the problem of the A27 & shortage of school places first, I might feel differently. As it is living here is becoming difficult with over-much traffic on the roads making access a problem.the exhibition was good but over informative for the lay person. i found it difficult to take in so much information, but thank you to Angel Properties for putting this on.
154/I welcome the opportunities to feedback my view on this development. I would also love to see a survey based on the ridiculous & expensive parking scheme that has been imposed on the residents of Lewes. Would it be possible for Lewes Matters to do this?
155/Lewes cannot sustain a development of this size. it will adversly effect the nature of this historic town & put an unacceptable strain on the surgeries, schools, roads & other ameneties.Additionally it will be as much of a blot on the lewes landscape as county hall is now acknowledged to be if it progresses as currently planned  We welcome a pressure group like yours.
156/the proposed development is totally unsuitable for a small market town like Lewes. The dasign of 8 storey buildings & multistorey car parks is completely at odds with the existing area. the density of the housing is too large & the existing infrastructure is not sufficient too meet its needs. there are inadequate medical services, schools, parking & water supplies for such a development. chain stores would ruin the character of this town- it wouldresemble every other high street anywhere.
157/I feel that the proposed development will change our life in Lewes for the worse.  We have lived in Church Row for 23 years and feel that we have been fortunate to live in such a town.  Our little corner of Lewes will without doubt become immeasurably noisier, as can only be expected with 800 new dwellings virtually on our doorstep. I feel that if we don't fight this proposed development now, we may all as well sell up and leave this town because a development of this magnitude will change the face of Lewes forever.
158/I believe this kind of development and expansion can only distroy the character and historic charm of Lewes.
159/Although I believe that the present Phoenix Industrial Estate does need redeveloping ,it does need to be in keeping with the town. The recent developments in Sun Street and Albion Street are most certainly not. Whatever is decided it does need to take into account flood defences and be environmentally friendly.
160/The flood defence issue is one which concerns me as a Pells resident.  The flood defence proposed by the developer will serve to destroy the character of this area and to annexe the pells pond and part to the new development, cutting it off from the existing "people of lewes" to whom the amenities were bequeathed.  The developer gets some free landscaping attached to his development and presumably, he will be the only one to profit from it.  The flood defence will do little to protect the area from flooding as the ground water levels are so high that a wall will do little to protect.  It feels like a lose lose solution to all but the developer in that we lose what makes our homes so special to us, it cuts us off from our defining community resource and we are no better off from flooding, and will be at greater risk with even more of the flood plain taken up with building.  The development houses will be safer because they are going to have parking at their ground floor level, so in addition to us paying the cost of their wall, we also have a higher skyline to live with as a result of their flood protection measures in this respect. In terms of impact on local traders, I live in lewes because I don't want to live in a clone town.  I don't want retail rents to increase because then local business people cannot afford to start up shops and businesses and there is already plenty of competition for these businesses - in neighbouring towns.  I haven't noticed a price war breaking out between tesco and waitrose yet, certainly not one which reduces my costs of living.  We will lose the creativity that is so much a part of this town if there is no space for it. The only argument for development is for more housing if that housing is affordable.  This housing is not going to be any more affordable to the people of Lewes as anything not within a low cost scheme will be bought by people moving into Lewes from higher priced areas - it will not benefit local people or their children.  There will also undoubtedly be a great opportunity for those of us fortunate enough to have bought our houses while ordinary salaries could support this, to release some equity and buy to let as investments.  Unless there is is significant requirement to create low cost housing,key worker schemes and shared ownership, there will be very little social benefit.   I would have to accept compromise to my own quality of life if this was guaranteed to result in people being able to afford housing here, near their parents and communities but I do not believe that this is the intention of the developer.   Essentially this scheme is one by which the developer seeks to make enormous profit by asset stripping our town and local neighbourhoods and communities.
161/I think that LDC and the people of Lewes should decide what we actually want on the Phoenix site rather than waiting for a planner to come along and tell us what they are offering and then us having to fight to stop them doing it! What we really need is affordable housing for young local people, just starting out. I really don't think we need any more high street chains moving in. Brighton is only 7 miles down the road - they are all there and more. I seriously worry that we'll end up just like one of the other countless A N Other faceless town - same shops, same characterless 'regeneration' - if we don't fight hard to preserve what makes Lewes special. 'Regeneration' is just a buzzword for developers making tons of cash, at the expense of the fabric and culture of our town, while telling us it's what we need.
162/I am concerned about the impact that such a scheme would have on the character of Lewes e.g. the introduction of high street stores, the effect on medical services and schools, traffic etc.  If such a scheme is to go ahead I believe it is crucial that it is not so high in density, that a large proportion of any  housing is affordable and that huge efforts are made to reduce its environmental impact.  As a Lewes resident who has just installed solar panels on the roof and is making a conserted effort to conserve water and energy I feel very strongly that any new developments should introduce as much "green" technology as possible.  There are a number of interesting sustainable development projects in the UK that could give inspiration and the current proposals clearly fall short on this front.  As a Cliffe resident I am also concerned about the issue of flooding and whether the Phoenix project would increase any flood risk for those properties lower down the river.
163/When I spoke to the developer at the first exhibition i discussed the potential for sustainable affordable housing such as that at BedZed in Sutton. He didnt sound especially interested. I'm worried by terms like "we could" on the environment section rather then "we will". I suspect a lot of detail like this would fall off at the building stage.  I'm very worried by the impact on local independent stores, especially if Tesco expands at the same time, we could so easily become another homogenised commuter town.
164/There are many key issues which the survey has not provided space for comment on. However, time precludes detailed coverage here. I shall just mention here a few factors of over-riding importance from my point of view.  Firstly, I missed the exhibition (unfortunately) and so some of my answers to questions requiring detailed knowledge of the plan presented there have been less well-informed that I would have chosen. Nonetheless, I have attempted to inform myself of what is known about the plans (and very much welcome Lewes Matters's contribution in this respect!).  I shall confine myself to general points. 1) Climate change has the potential to undermine many aspects of people's wellbeing, all around the world. In my view, all future developments must take account to the fullest possible extent of the effects the development will have in terms of carbon emissions. I thus believe that this development should aim to be taking account of as wide a range of "sustainability" issues as possible. Particularly important are effects on transport (each new development needs to ensure that it reduces the need to travel by private transport) and the resource and energy consumption involved in construction of the development and in the resource and energy needs of those living and working in the development - both of which should be minimised as much as possible.  Water is another crucial issue, given present water shortages and the potential scenarios with climate change which threaten to turn the SE of England into a semi-arid area. Can any proposed development guarantee that it will not contribute to increased water consumption in the region? If not, its viability is open to question.  Given the position of this proposed development on the flood plain, it is vital that any plans not only provide for safeguards for the properties and businesses within the development against increasing flood risk, but crucially that the plans will NOT lead to increased risk of flooding within the rest of Lewes.  Provison of medical, educational and other infrastructure MUST be suited to the number of proposed units within the development, if that development is to prove sustainable and is not to increase problems for Lewes residents.
165/I have no confidence in LDC planning dept to be able to represent the wider interests of the the town and its residents when dealing with developers. Much of their recent activity indicates they are seriously out of their depth.
166//The flood defenses in Lewes, such as they are seem only intended to protect Tesco and the Malling Brooks industrial estate. I would be interested to know who allowed the building of Tesco and outlying parts of the Malling estate, a lot of which seems to be inside flood plains in the Environment Agency's map - http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?topic=floodmap&ep=map&lang=_e&x=541484.0&y=111252.0&scale=5&layerGroups=1,&layerGroupToQuery=1&location=BN7%202EE  Over development and the influx of chain stores, McDonalds, Starbucks etc would turn Lewes into "Anytown, UK" and should be resisted at all costs.
167/Building on flood plains-even if provision is made the wter goes somewhere else. Education- where will all the children go to school. Scale of the development- monolithic character of proposal- not small & piecemeal like most of Lewes.
168/Schools & medical services will need expanding. We need to see a 3D model of the development. Am in favour of all that awful light industrial area going- it's such an eyesore.
169/Need serious thought about flooding, desperately needs better public transport. Invest in a park & ride.
170/I like the proposed improvement to the riverside. If a bridge were to be built could it be based on a Tom Paine bridge design. However the whole proposal is over-ambitious & no thought has been given to its impact on traffic, flood defences,education & medical services.
171/How can you have a major development right by the river without spending large sums of money on flood defences. Thes will be houses being built in an area that is having trouble gettuing home insurance at the moment so will they sell.
172/The problem of flood defences are going to be addressed ith this development I understand to the sum of £2million+ I fully agree with this development if only to dispose of the eyesore buildings that are there now.
173/Current traffic management in Lewes is both atrocious & unnecessary & causes bad feeling to all.It also affects local businesses v badly. The parking provision in Lewes is adequate & does not need men in red to police it.
174/Vital that whole area is