Astley House, Spital Road, Lewes, BN7 1PW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, including the setting of the Lewes Conservation Area (CA)
• the effect on the living conditions of nearby occupiers with regard to car parking provision and the design of the proposed development, and the intended future occupiers in respect of internal space standards and external amenity space
• whether or not the mix of housing proposed reflects local need
• whether the absence of affordable housing is consistent with the development plan
• the effect on highway safety including pedestrians, with particular regard to off street parking provision, space within the site for vehicles to manoeuvre and access arrangements
• whether or not the residential units could be sustainably constructed
• whether or not the site could be suitably drained
• whether the contributions sought in respect of a Travel Plan Statement Audit Fee and a Traffic Regulation Order in respect of re-locating on-street parking bays are reasonable and necessary to make the development acceptable

What decided it

The significant harm to the character and appearance of the area and to the setting of the Lewes Conservation Area (and, in Appeal A, a non-designated heritage asset) was not outweighed by the public benefits of the schemes.

the considerable benefits of the proposals (housing delivery, brownfield redevelopment, pedestrian and public realm improvements) were not sufficient, individually or cumulatively, to outweigh the harm to the character and appearance of the area, to heritage assets, and to living conditions, and the conflict with the development plan as a whole