Lidl foodstore redevelopment at Land East of Brooks Road, Lewes

The site and its setting

The 0.9-hectare gateway site lies near Lewes town centre, employment and residential areas, the Conservation Area and the listed Old Brewery.

“Site Description 1.1. The application relates to a prominently located 0.9ha site within the settlement boundary at the entrance to the Brooks Road mixed employment area, which is the second largest employment site in the National Park and largest in Lewes. 1.2.”

“The office building comprises 2No two-storey units fronting onto Malling Street (46 & 48 Malling St), and 2No single storey units (48a Malling St and the Studio, Wellers Yard) which extend behind Nos 50-56 Malling St. Of these buildings, only the garage building and associated parking in the north-eastern part of the site fall within the Central Lewes principal employment site as defined by the South Downs Local Plan. 1.6.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Several technical consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while conservation, design and environmental health officers objected on heritage, design and noise grounds.

“Comments: • Standard store layout with no meaningful adaptation to reflect site’s sensitive setting within the National Park or its gateway role; • Fails to demonstrate contextual design approach, inadequate landscape and visual assessment given site’s prominence and heritage setting; • Minor revisions to materials are superficial and do not address core design concerns regarding layout, massing and architectural quality; • Primary southern frontage is largely blank; offers…”

“Environmental Health (Air Quality): Conditions required to secure: • Public transport subsidy for staff for at least the life of the travel plan; • Designated parking spaces for staff car club/car sharing vehicles; • Suitable dedicated staff cycle parking; • Onsite cycle path to allow safe cycle access to cycle parking areas; • A suitable number of EV chargepoints (passive and active;) • Provision of evergreen infrastructure to reduce particulates and other pollutants, or…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three speakers addressed the committee against the application, representing themselves, the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Lewes Town Council; one represented the applicant in support.

What members debated

Members discussed redesign, employment policies, marketing evidence, National Park qualities, gateway views, traffic, noise and the possibility of strengthening refusal reasons.

“The committee’s experience with permitting retail on employment land elsewhere in the Park was referenced, with disappointment expressed that the employment-based objection could not be substantiated in this case. • The importance of enhancing the appearance of Lewes, especially at a key gateway site, was emphasised.”

“The special qualities of the National Park were discussed, with officers expressing confidence that qualities related to design and impact would be considered by the inspector in the event of an appeal. • The adequacy of the marketing evidence was addressed, with officers noting that while some demand for employment use had been demonstrated, the application before the committee was for retail use.”

Minutes