Lewes Neighbourhood Development Plan

The NDP has some significant spatial implications that has shown on the map. I find many of these very inspirational and forward thinking, sometimes expanding the reach of the planning system from a land use control to a town management tool.

The Station Car Park site is a focus of traffic in the centre of Lewes. Therefore, I find that there are efforts in the NDP towards traffic reduction, creating better streets and cleaner routes for people and wildlife, but, if fact, changes could be only cosmetic if no attention is given to the sources of traffic and its environmental impacts.

The car park site represents a land use working against many NDP aspirations. Therefore, one of the tools to facilitate this aspiration of the NDP would be to challenge the uses that represent a threat towards the NDP’s implementation. I therefore propose to question whether the car park should remain there, either in its current size or whether it should be retained at all.

Considering that cars cause visual negative impacts, their removal from this area could represent an improvement to the experience of place and in particular to calming nearby streets. It would also give space back to wildlife and people in a safe environment, and less cluttered environment for the enjoyment of the heritage trail and all cultural assets in the area (Conservation Area and Scheduled Monuments too).

The Heritage Trail is expected to provide an immerse experience into the historic sense of place of Lewes, but a car dominated environment would only detract from it by reason of the presence of outof-time and unsightly vehicles, as well as an enjoyable and safe environment for all.

I would criticise that the NDP aspires to the improvement of its pedestrian routes, but it fails to spatially identify, in this area in particular, any area for improvement or potential strategic solutions. The site in question is not characterised for its permeability, especially on its western section.

There is, however, a great opportunity to enhance the quality of place along the proposed Green Links. These are routes that could help to connect, with nature, the countryside beyond to the town, but some of the areas, especially on the eastern end of the site, are not legible nor inclusive.

Heritage Trail Green Link

Traffic Calmed Street

Local Green Space