Plans for new flats in Lewes rejected after parking issues

The proposal to demolish garages behind Queen's Road in Lewes to make way for six flats was turned down by the South Downs National Park planning authority.

The site currently contains 41 single-storey, flat-roof garages arranged in two rows.

The proposal aimed to replace these with six one-bedroom dwellings, to be offered as affordable homes for social or affordable rent by Lewes District Council, who submitted the application.

The plans included six flats in two buildings(Image: Mohsin Cooper)

Each unit was to be spread across two storeys, featuring private outdoor space to the rear.

The units were designed to be constructed as two terraces of three units each, facing inwards towards each other with a shared amenity space in between.

All garage buildings within the application site were to be demolished to facilitate the development, though 16 garages to the west of the site would remain.

The application said the proposal would rejuvenate a neglected portion of land, promote sustainable construction, and serve as an example of good local authority housing.

The garages that would be demolished(Image: Google)

However, the plans faced significant public opposition, with 15 objections lodged.

Many of these were related to parking issues, with residents concerned about the increased pressure on parking spaces.

One anonymous objector expressed concerns about the overflow of vehicles parking in Queen's Road and Fitzgerald Road, which were already "struggling to cope" with the number of cars.

Kris Horscroft, another objector, echoed these concerns, and added: "I never thought that such a small area of land would ever be considered for such a development.

"It has been met with disappointment by friends and neighbours alike.

"All the potential disruption, damage, congestion and loss of views for six properties to be built."

The entrance to the site and the garages(Image: Google)

David Rochester also voiced his concerns over potential parking issues, especially if the residents of the new flats owned more than one car.

Residents also expressed concerns over the new access road to the remaining garages, which some felt was too narrow.

The proposed layout, including the new access road at the bottom(Image: Mohsin Cooper)

Mr AE Salmon highlighted that his 6m long vehicle would not physically be able to make the left turn shown on the plans.

"Nor would any large car", he added.

Planning officers ruled against the proposal, writing: "The siting, layout and form of the proposed scheme results in a significantly unsympathetic sense of place, dominated by vehicle movement."

The scheme was rejected on October 9.