Views and Building Heights

There is a combination of views and vistas to and from the site that are relevant. The NDP emphasises on the importance of views, in particular of the Downs and cliffs beyond, to the identity of Lewes.

I have outlined they most relevant immediate views around the site (pink) and those that offer an appreciation of the wider landscape beyond Lewes, which are more limited, but not less important.

There is variety of views available, from kinetic to static, some are constant and others brief. There are also seasonal variations as vegetation evolves, obstructing, framing and redefining views through time. There are also some attractive deflected and split deflected views in Lewes when walking revealing destinations. The viewing experience in Lewes is diverse and it is part of what makes the town special.

Takeaways

• Views of landmarks and the wider landscape are an essential element of the identity of Lewes and any intervention should respond to these as much as possible.

• Routes are key not just in allowing views through the absence of built form, but also, through layout, in providing a variety of viewing experience, e.g. sequential and deflected views. This diversity of views should be an aspiration for new development.

Access

The site is accessed by vehicles, cycles and pedestrians mainly from the Southover Road - Station Road junction, which is an unsafe point of access, not legible for people travelling from the south and not in an adequate angle for safe vehicle access and egress. The pavement is on occasions encroached by vehicles too. Alternative access for vehicles is available via Pinwell Road, but is used less frequently. A public footpath connects the eastern end of the site with a 20th Century residential development to the east, the countryside, and the college across the railway. There is no direct access to the western end of the site, which can only be accessed from below Station Bridge.

The station benefits from an existing taxi rank and drop-off area at the front and main access, outside of the red line area.

Takeaways

• Pedestrian movement should be prioritised and desire lines be incorporated in the layout.

• Consideration should be given to movement through the site from east to west.

• The Southover Road - Station Road junction and vehicular access to the site is not safe and action should be taken to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety.

• The mix of uses reduce the need for vehicular transportation where uses and activities are in close distance, therefore there is an opportunity to reduce parking provision.

• Network Rail may need occasional access to the railway from a road, for maintenance and emergencies, which should be accommodated, ideally from the south side of the railway.

Land Use and Ownership

There is a mix of uses that support a balanced live, work and enjoy range of daily activities in the area. The town is also well-served with community facilities within walking and cycling distance. Therefore, this part of town is very much lived in the spirit of a ‘15 minutes city’ and the site offers an enormous opportunity to further complement these uses with a mix of spaces that build further this environment.

The site is owned by Network Rail, which could facilitate the design, negotiation and delivery of a development in contrast to sites with multiple land owners.