MEMBERS of the public have until March 22 to submit their views regarding the proposal to demolish the bus station in Eastgate Street, Lewes.
The current plans have sparked plenty of controversy, with more than 100 objections submitted to South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA), who will determine the outcome of the proposal.
The owner of the bus station, the Chelmsford-based company Generator Group, unveiled major plans to build 3 houses, 32 self-containing flats, along with commercial facilities, a cycling park, parking, landscaping and private space.
Residents have opposed the plans and the reasons for doing so include demand for the bus station to continue its services to the community, too many existing housing projects already in the area and the design aspects which do not fit the town’s character
Among those who object to the plans are the Friends of the South Downs, who have outlined their arguments such as the loss of a vital facility in the area.
They wrote: “The proposed development is sited at the eastern entrance to the historic core of Lewes and the entrance to the Lewes Conservation Area.
“It is an important arrival point for tourists by bus and by rail when heading for the Cliffe area which is now the liveliest retail part of the town.
“The bus station offered a well-functioning single interchange point between long distance and local bus services, that was easy to locate and identify by visitors.
“Since its deliberate closure by this applicant, bus stops and buses are scattered around the surrounding streets and there is no longer a waiting area for buses to keep to timetable.
“This detracts from the appearance of the Conservation Area and obscures the views of the streets.”
Friends of the South Downs have also criticised the design of the project, saying that the proposed houses would “cause harm to the Conservation Area and its setting by means of its height and bulk.”
The bus station was built in 1954 and was formerly owned by Stagecoach until they sold it in 2006.
Generator Group, East Sussex County Council and South Downs National Parks Authority and other stakeholders got together in 2021 to discuss the future of the bus station.
The company submitted a proposal to SDNPA in 2022 outlining plans to build 40 homes, 192m2 of ground floor commercial space with associated access alterations, landscaping and parking.
The first application was rejected by SDNPA in September 2022 and Generator Group amended the plans and re-submitted them in 2023.
Friends of Lewes have also published their objections, saying the development “fails to conserve and enhance existing townscape”, along with the “outstanding concern of the urgent need to provide suitable bus interchange facilities for the centre of Lewes, following the closure of the former Lewes Bus Station, has not yet been achieved.”
Other Lewes residents have also raised their vehement objections to the plans. Douglas Graham Heap, who submitted his objections, wrote: “Nothing in these revised proposals satisfy the many objections made against this misguided development proposal with no social housing provision.
“Also, no effort to provide for an alternate bus station, plus overbearing buildings that are completely out of character in a conservation area, as well as unwanted retail space at a time when current shops are closing down.
“Basically, the Generator Group bought the site thinking that they would make a lot of money.
“What they have no regard for is the people of Lewes and their environment. I reiterate my previous observation; if the Park Authority does not protect Lewes from this kind of speculation they might as well shut up shop.”
Chris Garratt also wrote: “I strongly object to this proposed redevelopment. Before the applicant summarily closed the bus station it provided an excellent facility for bus and coach interchange in an ideal position in the town.
“Lewes does not need the additional housing, given that several large projects have recently been approved.
“Also, there is no demand for additional retail space in the town, which has a number of vacant sites.
“In summary, this application should be disallowed and the site returned to being the bus station.”
Generator Group says the proposed transformation is a “unique opportunity to create new homes and commercial space on the former bus station in Eastgate Street.
“The proposals comprise the demolition of all existing buildings on the site and the creation of a sensitive scheme which responds to the historic townscape of Lewes and the natural landscape qualities of the South Downs.
“The quality development takes a design-led approach and provides high-quality residential and commercial facilities supported by private amenity space.”
