This sustainable new neighbourhood will be delivered in three phases over the next decade in a way that minimises disruption to the town, prioritises affordable housing and fosters a culture of sustainable living from the start
The submitted application for the Phoenix neighbourhood is a ‘hybrid’ format, meaning it contains outline elements, such as the use-mix and parameter plans (determining the size, location and uses of the buildings on the site), as well as detailed elements, including the first stages of a new flood defence, a temporary construction access ramp from Phoenix Causeway and the first 44 homes.
This is common for a development of this size, establishing the structure and type of neighbourhood, with some details, known as 'reserved matters’, applied for separately. These detailed reserved matters applications will be bound by the Phoenix Design Code, which will control the overall character and appearance of the development to deliver consistency and coherence across the different parcels of the site as each is brought forward.
The plan will act as an exemplar for sustainable developments, through its planned repurposing of existing materials, use of engineered timber structures and panels of Sussex timber insulated with hempcrete and other bio-based materials. There will also be a renewable energy grid, highly efficient homes, affordable and convenient mobility services and myriad green spaces. These will have tangible benefits to residents and those living elsewhere in the town.
For example, we will deconstruct existing buildings on site, rather than use typical demolition practices, thereby reducing the impacts from noise and dust, while creating a stock of reusable materials. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in the onsite factory, focused on timber, will reduce waste, dust, traffic movements, delivery time and construction waste, while also improving health and safety and offering substantial employment to young people in the area.
As a mixed-use development, the Phoenix will deliver the infrastructure needed for the population increase created by the neighbourhood. As the Phoenix will particularly appeal to young families, a new nursery will be opened in the neighbourhood. However, falling school rolls means that there is spare capacity in the existing local schools for the children. The Phoenix will generate £7m through the Community Infrastructure Levy, some of which will be invested in local schools to fund the services required.
The neigbourhood also includes a state-of-the-art new health centre for the Foundry Healthcare Practice. This will not only enable services to be transferred from existing buildings that are not fit for purpose, but will enable further service development and space for integration with mental health, community services, and the voluntary sector. The new building, which is fully accessible to people with disabilities, will provide additional capacity required to meet the existing needs of the local population and the anticipated additional growth from the proposed development.
The Phoenix will be delivered in the following three phases, meaning there will be no sudden increase in population. Construction on phase one is likely to start in early 2024, with the first homes (phase two) delivered by 2026. An overview of the phasing plan can be seen below – for more, see the Construction Environmental Management Plan in the planning application.
Phase one
This includes:
– Flood defences that protect the site and the Pells – prior to development occupation – thereby creating safe places
– A construction access ramp that will reduce construction-traffic impacts on the sensitive, narrow streets in the town centre. A right-turn-in only (off the Phoenix Causeway) will ensure all construction traffic will be routed from the Culfail roundabout, preventing construction traffic using Little East Street/East Street/the Lewes Town Centre one-way system
– The removal of some existing buildings, using a strategy of deconstruction rather than typical demolition, thereby reducing the impacts from noise and dust, while also eliciting a vast stock of reusable materials for the construction of the development
Phase two
This includes:
– Energy centres and associated heat and utilities networks to deliver renewable energy and low carbon heating to the development from the delivery of the first residential units
– Delivery of the first blocks of residential development detailing Parcel 1, 2, 4C and 4D, 7B and 11A totalling 293 units including 103 designated affordable (35%)
– The Foundry Health Centre
– The Soap Factory, a wellness and activities centre for the young people in the refurbished structure of an existing building
– Temporary Co-Mobility services on the site, encouraging and enabling this enterprise to meet needs from day one with a reliable and cost-effective service
Phase three
This includes:
– A continuous walkway along the riverside and a new bridge to connect the site to Malling and beyond
– Deliver of the Co-Mobility Hub and all associated services
– A new central square and hotel; makers’ spaces, a community building to house the canteen and co-working using existing structures; a new events space; dedicated facilities for upcycling, repair cafe, library of things and site management; refurbishment of Phoenix House
– Delivery of the remaining blocks of residential development detailing Parcel 3, 4A and 4B, Parcel 5, 6E and 6F, Parcel 8, 9, 10A and 10C and 10E including 407 units including 107 designated affordable (26.3%)
(Credit: Human Nature with Periscope / Carols Penelaver)
This sustainable new neighbourhood will be delivered in three phases over the next decade in a way that minimises disruption to the town, prioritises affordable housing and fosters a culture of sustainable living from the start
The submitted application for the Phoenix neighbourhood is a ‘hybrid’ format, meaning it contains outline elements, such as the use-mix and parameter plans (determining the size, location and uses of the buildings on the site), as well as detailed elements, including the first stages of a new flood defence, a temporary construction access ramp from Phoenix Causeway and the first 44 homes.
This is common for a development of this size, establishing the structure and type of neighbourhood, with some details, known as 'reserved matters’, applied for separately. These detailed reserved matters applications will be bound by the Phoenix Design Code, which will control the overall character and appearance of the development to deliver consistency and coherence across the different parcels of the site as each is brought forward.
The plan will act as an exemplar for sustainable developments, through its planned repurposing of existing materials, use of engineered timber structures and panels of Sussex timber insulated with hempcrete and other bio-based materials. There will also be a renewable energy grid, highly efficient homes, affordable and convenient mobility services and myriad green spaces. These will have tangible benefits to residents and those living elsewhere in the town.
For example, we will deconstruct existing buildings on site, rather than use typical demolition practices, thereby reducing the impacts from noise and dust, while creating a stock of reusable materials. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in the onsite factory, focused on timber, will reduce waste, dust, traffic movements, delivery time and construction waste, while also improving health and safety and offering substantial employment to young people in the area.
As a mixed-use development, the Phoenix will deliver the infrastructure needed for the population increase created by the neighbourhood. As the Phoenix will particularly appeal to young families, a new nursery will be opened in the neighbourhood. However, falling school rolls means that there is spare capacity in the existing local schools for the children. The Phoenix will generate £7m through the Community Infrastructure Levy, some of which will be invested in local schools to fund the services required.
The neigbourhood also includes a state-of-the-art new health centre for the Foundry Healthcare Practice. This will not only enable services to be transferred from existing buildings that are not fit for purpose, but will enable further service development and space for integration with mental health, community services, and the voluntary sector. The new building, which is fully accessible to people with disabilities, will provide additional capacity required to meet the existing needs of the local population and the anticipated additional growth from the proposed development.
The Phoenix will be delivered in the following three phases, meaning there will be no sudden increase in population. Construction on phase one is likely to start in early 2024, with the first homes (phase two) delivered by 2026. An overview of the phasing plan can be seen below – for more, see the Construction Environmental Management Plan in the planning application.
Phase one
This includes:
– Flood defences that protect the site and the Pells – prior to development occupation – thereby creating safe places
– A construction access ramp that will reduce construction-traffic impacts on the sensitive, narrow streets in the town centre. A right-turn-in only (off the Phoenix Causeway) will ensure all construction traffic will be routed from the Culfail roundabout, preventing construction traffic using Little East Street/East Street/the Lewes Town Centre one-way system
– The removal of some existing buildings, using a strategy of deconstruction rather than typical demolition, thereby reducing the impacts from noise and dust, while also eliciting a vast stock of reusable materials for the construction of the development
Phase two
This includes:
– Energy centres and associated heat and utilities networks to deliver renewable energy and low carbon heating to the development from the delivery of the first residential units
– Delivery of the first blocks of residential development detailing Parcel 1, 2, 4C and 4D, 7B and 11A totalling 293 units including 103 designated affordable (35%)
– The Foundry Health Centre
– The Soap Factory, a wellness and activities centre for the young people in the refurbished structure of an existing building
– Temporary Co-Mobility services on the site, encouraging and enabling this enterprise to meet needs from day one with a reliable and cost-effective service
Phase three
This includes:
– A continuous walkway along the riverside and a new bridge to connect the site to Malling and beyond
– Deliver of the Co-Mobility Hub and all associated services
– A new central square and hotel; makers’ spaces, a community building to house the canteen and co-working using existing structures; a new events space; dedicated facilities for upcycling, repair cafe, library of things and site management; refurbishment of Phoenix House
– Delivery of the remaining blocks of residential development detailing Parcel 3, 4A and 4B, Parcel 5, 6E and 6F, Parcel 8, 9, 10A and 10C and 10E including 407 units including 107 designated affordable (26.3%)
(Credit: Human Nature with Periscope / Carols Penelaver)