RESIDENTS are being promised a say in the design of 415 new council-owned homes including seafront and riverside properties.

Lewes District Council has joined forces with a consortium including Brighton-based Karis Developments to address a shortage of homes with nearly 2,000 households on the waiting list.

Areas up for development include Barcombe, Lewes, Peacehaven, Ringmer, Seaford and Newhaven.

A list of 49 sites has been reduced to 30 though some sites could include more than one plot. The exact number of homes remains undecided.

The proposed developments range from seafront apartments at The Buckle in Seaford to council-owned riverside homes at Robinson Road in Newhaven, contributing to wider plans to regenerate the town.

In Lewes, the council wants to work with those who use St Mary’s Social Centre to design an enhanced community centre on the site as well as seeking planning permission for a small number of well-designed affordable homes, which will remain in council ownership.

In Western Road, on the site of the public toilets, it hopes to build two gable-ended houses in keeping with surrounding houses.

The council accepts that market housing is often unaffordable to residents and wants to build the homes to address the crisis, with at least 40% of the new homes across the district to be made affordable.

A spokesman said “innovative design and sustainability” are at the heart of the plans, which look to regenerate areas and enhance business.

Councillor Rob Blackman, leader of Lewes District Council, said: “The initial proposals for homes in Newhaven will really support our efforts to rejuvenate the town.

“It has taken a while to negotiate what is a complex development agreement and I know that many people are keen to understand the ideas and sites affected.

“I am delighted that we can now set these out and open up discussions with the community.”

Karis Developments has brought together a consortium including Southern Housing Group, one of southern England’s largest housing associations, and internationally-renowned architects Conran and Partners, to consult on building around 415 homes across the district, Josh Arghiros, managing director of Karis Developments, said: “We want people from the locality to have an input in the design and a sense of ownership through being involved from the start.”

Paul Zara, director of Conran and Partners, is native to Lewes and the project is close to his heart. He said he was “excited” to be working on it.

The proposed developments will come under two planning authorities: Lewes District Council and the South Downs National Park Authority, with the first set of planning applications expected to be submitted by the end of the year.

To comment on the plans email newhomes@lewes.gov.uk, tweet @LDCnewhomes or call 01273 471600.

Visit lewes.gov.uk/newhomes for full details.

Background

Previously called the “49 sites”, a term the council said was only used informally, the list of 30 sites released is as follows:

BARCOMBE: Deans Meadow;

EAST CHILTINGTON: Hollycroft;

LEWES: Christie Road; 4 Fisher Street; Ham Lane; Juggs Road; Western Road;

NEWHAVEN: Fort Rise; Fort Road; Meeching Down; Neill’s Close; Robinson Road; Valley View and Valley Road; Western Road;

NEWICK: Leveller End;

PEACEHAVEN: Ashington Gardens; Cliff Park Close; Piddinghoe Avenue; Roderick Avenue; Steyning Avenue; Valley Road; Wendale Drive/Telscombe Road;

PLUMPTON: Southdowns;

RINGMER: Broyle Close; Broyleside Cottages;

SEAFORD: Alfriston Road; Buckle Car Park;

TELSCOMBE CLIFFS: Fairlight Avenue/Esplanade;

WIVELSFIELD: Fair Place, land adjacent to 4 Green Park Corner