Rees Elliott attracted criticism from nearby residents in May when it unveiled proposals for a restaurant, café, shops and four-and-a-half storey 16 metre (52.6ft) tall office block which would look out over Station Road.

A public consultation was carried out and a number of Lansdown Road residents reacted angrily to the plans and said it was too much for the site.

The developer pledged to listen to the public feedback before making a planning application.
Martin Elliott, a partner of Rees Elliott, told the Express, 'We had a meeting with planners (at Lewes District Council) last week, following the consultation.

'We put out a consultation and looked at that and also what the planners had to say.

'We are now deliberating and talking to Harveys, which is still the owner of the site, about how to take the thing forward.

'In the current market it's not something that is going to happen immediately.

'We are taking sensible time over it but nothing will go to the planning department until at least the New Year.'

The latest announcement was welcomed by Jenny Mumford, an artist and Lansdown Road resident whose posters protesting against inappropriate development inspired a protest march through the streets of Lewes.

She said: 'I think if the credit crunch is still going on in the New Year nothing is likely to happen and I hope it doesn't for the sake of the people across the road who are going to have great difficulty with this site.

'There is little access there and it's flood territory, it was almost up to roof of cars during the flood in 2000 and when it rains a lot the site is awash with water because the drainage isn't very good.'