HIGH RISES CUT IN PHOENIX SCHEME

Spokesman Anthony Dicks said the latest plans were a giant improvement on the company's original scheme which involved many high rise blocks of flats.

He added: 'There are now not so many high-rise buildings planned and therefore the scheme is less likely to dominate the conservation area.

'I believe the company is going some way to trying to provide an asset to Lewes.

'But we certainly need to see the finalised plans.

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We feel it is critical that the development is in sympathy with Lewes, rather than turning it into just another dormitory town.'

Lewes Matters member have proposed a list of factors they believe should be taken into account in any development proposal.

These include density, massing, scale and sustainability, affordable housing targets, clarification on building partners and, crucially, the integrity of agreements, should parcels of the project be sold or built upon by other contractors.

The list asks what multi-storey buildings remain in the scheme? And what percentage of affordable housing will be provided?

It asks what the impact of such a huge scheme will have on existing traders; and how and when existing businesses can be relocated to Malling Brooks.

There is also the question of traffic generation, parking, the installation of flood defences and the impact upstream on the Pells and Landport and downstream below Cliffe bridge.