Plans for Peacehaven Morrisons now available to view

For many years, residents in Peacehaven have been calling for action on the Morrisons supermarket which is set to be built on the former Meridian Centre site.

Plans were initially approved and work on the store was due to begin in September 2024, but delays saw the project put on hold.

Last month, Morrisons confirmed it had submitted an updated proposal to Lewes District Council. The plans are now available on the council’s website to view and comment on.

(Image: Morrisons)

The proposals include a 25,000-square-foot store, featuring a ‘market street’ with specialist butchers, bakers and fishmongers, alongside landscaped public spaces, new retail and supporting infrastructure.

Morrisons confirmed that Peacehaven Library and Community House will be retained as part of the plans.

The proposal will be submitted as a hybrid planning application comprising two parts, which Morrisons said will ensure the supermarket is delivered as soon as possible.

The first part includes detailed plans for the supermarket, parking facilities and public spaces, including the new town square.

The second part will be an outline proposal for the further 40,000-square-foot of retail space, which could include several drive-thru units such as coffee or sandwich shops on the eastern part of the site. It said these plans will be submitted in the coming months.

MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven Chris Ward welcomed the plan’s progress.

(Image: Ramy Abou-Setta/The Argus)

“This is welcome progress and a positive step towards delivering what the people of Peacehaven have been promised for far too long,” he said.

"Residents have waited patiently for years while this site remained undeveloped. Throughout that time I've worked closely with residents, councillors and community groups to keep the pressure on Morrisons, including meeting directly with the company and launching my 'Build it or Sell it’ campaign.

"I'm pleased to see revised plans now in the public domain, and particularly welcome the decision to retain both the library and community house alongside the new supermarket and wider regeneration of the town centre.

"A new supermarket will improve local choice, reduce the need for people to travel elsewhere to do their shopping and help create new jobs and investment for our town. The wider improvements to the Meridian Centre also have the potential to give Peacehaven the thriving town centre it deserves."

Mr Ward said he would continue to engage with Morrisons, councils and residents as the planning process moves forward.

He added: "What people now want to see is delivery.

"I'll continue working with everyone involved to ensure momentum is maintained and that these plans become a reality. Peacehaven deserves to see this long-promised investment finally delivered."

Residents can now view the updated proposals and submit comments as part of the planning consultation at https://planningpa.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=ROD7O8JDMWB00

The planning application can also be viewed at https://morrisonspeacehaven.co.uk/