PLANS to develop a new fire station and ambulance response base on the vacant Springman House site in Lewes have been agreed.

The co-location of both emergency services will enable the old fire station in the North Street Quarter site to close and allow the £180 million North Street Quarter development to be delivered.

The scheme will transform the site with a new health centre serving more than 26,000 patients, 416 new homes – 165 of which will be affordable – and 140,000 square feet of commercial space.

Detailed plans will now be drawn up in consultation with the users of the new base before a planning application is submitted.