Major development at Lewes is approved with over 100 affordable homes
April 27, 2022
More than 100 affordable homes and £1.7m towards access improvements are on the way with a new development in Lewes.
Permission was granted in March for up to 226 homes on land at Old Malling Farm, a 10-hectare site on the north eastern edge of the town.
The development includes 75 affordable rented homes, plus 28 shared ownership and 10 “Lewes low-cost housing” dwellings.
Significant financial contributions have been agreed, including improvements to the existing railway cutting permissive path to enable year-round use by walkers and cyclists.
There will also be traffic calming measures on Old Malling Way, Church Lane and Mayhew Way, together with better walking and cycling routes to connect with Lewes town centre.
Sustainability is high on the agenda for the new development, with all homes being net zero carbon and having high water efficiency.
A detailed Design Brief was approved alongside the permission and includes a Green Infrastructure Strategy to protect existing habitats, create new ones and make new links for wildlife.
The site is allocated for housing in the South Downs Local Plan.
The housing development will include a network of high quality, multi-functional, connected public open spaces, which will link to the existing wooded boundaries.
The creation of an entrance square will create a sense of arrival.
Vicki Colwell, Principal Planning Officer, said ”During the course of the application, officers negotiated with the applicant to increase the affordable housing offer from 15% to 50%.
“The Design Brief has landscape at its heart and focuses on the biodiversity and sustainability benefits that can be gained from this high-quality development.
“As well as delivering much-needed affordable housing for the Lewes area, this development will deliver several community benefits, including more cycle and walking routes to connect people to both the countryside and Lewes town centre.”