‘Enthusiastic, energetic, exciting, exhausting.’ That was the verdict of Richard Eastham, consultant for Feria Urbanism from Bournemouth, at the end of three days of fact-finding with Lewesians on matters relating to drawing up the neighbourhood plan.
So far only a few dozen such plans are in force across the country, with several hundred more in the pipeline.
Essentially they are a way of getting locals’ views incorporated into the planning mechanism. The ideas that come out of this exercise of working with individuals from the community are distilled and refined into what will become a legally binding statutory planning document, subject to approval at a referendum. So if, for example, there was a clause inserted into the document requiring access to the River Ouse, then planning applications in the future would require landowners to allow for such access.
Richard stressed that the tremendous range of ideas that have come out of the three-day event during 30 June-2 July are very much work in progress, and that ideas will be adapted at further events held in Lewes during September, October and November.
The neighbourhood plan for Lewes aims to:
- create a shared vision for Lewes
- clearly indicate where new homes, shops, offices and workplaces should be built
- protect green spaces and historic buildings
- influence the designs of new homes, other buildings and the linking spaces in between
- express a view on our streets and infrastructure, tourism, leisure and community facilities, and environmental issues
- incorporate an ecosystem approach
‘The Neighbourhood Plan’ is not a single idea but rather lots of small dabs of paint, and represents Lewes town only,’ explained Richard, who summarised what’s happened so far:
- A visioning event where participants highlighted all sorts of issues and facets of Lewes – top ten qualities, top ten challenges, areas where housing development should go, etc.
- Ten-minute presentations from residents on such aspects as eco issues, cycling, transport, the Phoenix development, tourism and the Lewes pound.
- Site visits to three areas along the Ouse: Old Malling Farm, the town centre and south of the centre, looking at all sorts of aspects, such as parking, problems of an ageing population, access, architecture, the High Street, wayfinding systems, eco village principles, underused spaces, heritage issues, vistas and urban design.
- Criteria for potential development sites for 220 new homes in Lewes.
It was noted that the development of this neighbourhood plan urgently needs more contributions and involvement from younger age groups, particularly the 20-30 age and schools, as well as business people.
All the material can be seen on www.lewes4all.uk – where you can also add feedback.