A scheme to build hundreds of houses in Lewes is moving forward with the council agreeing to sell land on a former industrial estate.
The North Street Quarter (NSQ) development aims to transform the former Phoenix Industrial Estate with 685 homes, employment space and flood defences.
Developer Human Nature was granted planning permission last year, subject to conditions and legal agreements. Now, East Sussex County Council has agreed to sell two parcels of land on the site, allowing the scheme to progress.
On Monday (March 31), Cllr Nick Bennett, lead member for resources and climate change, agreed the sale, for an undisclosed sum. The council had made a similar decision in 2018 in connection with an earlier version of the development, which did not come to fruition.
Before making his decision, Cllr Bennett heard how the council does not yet know the exact amount of land to be sold as it is awaiting final designs for a bus layby and bus shelter. Officers said the council intends to retain ownership of the land associated with the bus infrastructure.
The largest parcel of land to be sold is adjacent to Phoenix Causeway. Officers noted how part of this land will become the main access point for the wider development.
Alongside this, the council also intends to sell land it owns in North Street. This land, which is adjacent to the fire station, is currently part of the adopted highway and will only be sold once a formal stopping-up procedure has been completed.
