Developer's plan to relocate businesses

Charles Style of Angel Property wants to build industrial units for businesses currently in buildings off North Street, some of which are council owned.

District council leader Ann De Vecchi said recently the local authority had 'no intention' of selling its land to Mr Styles.

But the developer said he wanted to work with the council.

He said: 'The plans for Malling Brooks will be submitted quite shortly, hopefully within the next few weeks. This will show plans for the fire station, long-stay parking, the recycling centre and other council tenants.'

He said he understood Lewes District Council would not sell its land from beneath its tenants.

As a result he intends to investigate alternative sites.

Mr Style said the land at Malling was already designated for industrial use and also had flood protection.

Angel Property has also been in discussion with a number of companies including North Street Garage and ATS Tyres about the possibility of relocating.

Mr Styles said the application for the Malling Brooks industrial site would have 70 long-stay car parking spaces.

He also said the Highways Department supported the idea of having long-stay car parking further away from the town centre.

Mr Style said the council has been consulting organisations such as Lewes Matters, the Friends of Lewes, the Phoenix Action Group and various residents groups, and was expected to come up with a new 'vision' for the area in July.

He said: 'Its obvious the area around North Street is going to change and we want to help to create a new vision.'