A statement from Jonathan Smales, Founder & CEO of Human Nature.
“We understand the concerns about the removal of some trees along the Phoenix Causeway. Removing trees in any urban area is an emotive issue and understandably so. As a company founded by two former Greenpeace directors to promote environmental, social and economic sustainability we take this incredibly seriously – we have dedicated our careers to finding solutions to the crises in climate and the natural world.
“However, comparisons to needless and reckless tree felling elsewhere in the country are not helpful or appropriate here. This petition was started by someone who appears to have little knowledge of our proposals, Lewes or this area off the Causeway. It contains a number of inaccurate and misleading statements that are important to address. To begin with, the trees in this area have been left unmanaged. Many are in poor condition with shallow root systems, with some at risk of Ash Dieback disease, which a local tree expert has recommended be removed for highway safety reasons. The masterplan has also been designed to retain the trees directly below this area along the river bank, while the petition makes no reference to the extensive landscaping that will significantly increase biodiversity on the site (a 39% net gain, compared to the national planning target of 10%).
“We of course agree that healthy trees should never be removed unless absolutely necessary, and we are working with local groups, arboriculturalists and foresters to ensure that everything is done to keep as many of the healthy trees and bushes by the Causeway as possible while ensuring minimal construction disruption to our neighbours. As we move from outline to detailed planning, we will continually review our plans to ensure that we minimise loss and maximise planting opportunities, while creating habitats for bats, swifts and other wildlife in green corridors, rain gardens and along the riverfront. It is no exaggeration to say that the Phoenix will be one of the greenest, most sustainable projects in the country – and has been widely commended as such by a number of leading figures in planning, sustainability and design.
“So why remove any trees at all? Some activity on the area where the Causeway trees and bushes are is crucial to making any development at the Phoenix work. It will be used for an access ramp, which will keep a decade of construction vehicle access away from the narrow streets of Lewes and for a zero-emission vehicle hire service and car park in a Co-Mobility Hub, which will reduce the amount of traffic and air pollution in town and result in huge carbon savings. The South Downs National Park has given us a clear steer that the proposals must ‘humanise’ the Causeway edge, encouraging walking, wheeling and cycling here, and stitching the new development into the wider town, both physically and visually, with this area becoming a new landscaped park. We have also been asked to include new bus laybys here, which could be part of a new bus provision for the wider town subject to how the ongoing debate and action to address the bus station resolve (see FAQs here)
“We urge those signing this petition to study the proposals and the many benefits they bring – not least the planting of 250 additional trees (many semi-mature) across the Phoenix, which will be maintained in perpetuity by Human Nature’s estate management company. Furthermore, the Phoenix will be the largest ever timber construction project in the UK with huge benefits to woodland management, biodiversity and woodland economy across Sussex and well beyond. Trees, timber and ecosystems are at the heart of this project, which will also provide good homes (including the largest ever concentration of affordable housing in one scheme in the National Park or Lewes & Eastbourne District), public space for all to enjoy, and multiple opportunities for young people – who are increasingly left with no option but to leave the town – including training opportunities in timber construction.
“We have worked in close consultation with the National Park, public authorities and local community to make sure we use this brownfield site wisely, reducing the need to build on greenfields. The Sussex Express is full of local outrage as planning consents for 250 homes on greenfield sites have been approved by government inspectors when brownfield sites sit idle.
“Human Nature is a small Lewes-based company – much of the team live in the town and we have its best interests at heart. We are always keen to meet and speak to local people, explain our decision making, refine our detailed plans and ensure our proposals continue to serve the Lewes community. As ever, please get in touch info@humannature-places.com to share your thoughts and ideas on how to increase biodiversity on the site, address other aspects of sustainability and get involved with the project.”
A statement from Jonathan Smales, Founder & CEO of Human Nature.
“We understand the concerns about the removal of some trees along the Phoenix Causeway. Removing trees in any urban area is an emotive issue and understandably so. As a company founded by two former Greenpeace directors to promote environmental, social and economic sustainability we take this incredibly seriously – we have dedicated our careers to finding solutions to the crises in climate and the natural world.
“However, comparisons to needless and reckless tree felling elsewhere in the country are not helpful or appropriate here. This petition was started by someone who appears to have little knowledge of our proposals, Lewes or this area off the Causeway. It contains a number of inaccurate and misleading statements that are important to address. To begin with, the trees in this area have been left unmanaged. Many are in poor condition with shallow root systems, with some at risk of Ash Dieback disease, which a local tree expert has recommended be removed for highway safety reasons. The masterplan has also been designed to retain the trees directly below this area along the river bank, while the petition makes no reference to the extensive landscaping that will significantly increase biodiversity on the site (a 39% net gain, compared to the national planning target of 10%).
“We of course agree that healthy trees should never be removed unless absolutely necessary, and we are working with local groups, arboriculturalists and foresters to ensure that everything is done to keep as many of the healthy trees and bushes by the Causeway as possible while ensuring minimal construction disruption to our neighbours. As we move from outline to detailed planning, we will continually review our plans to ensure that we minimise loss and maximise planting opportunities, while creating habitats for bats, swifts and other wildlife in green corridors, rain gardens and along the riverfront. It is no exaggeration to say that the Phoenix will be one of the greenest, most sustainable projects in the country – and has been widely commended as such by a number of leading figures in planning, sustainability and design.
“So why remove any trees at all? Some activity on the area where the Causeway trees and bushes are is crucial to making any development at the Phoenix work. It will be used for an access ramp, which will keep a decade of construction vehicle access away from the narrow streets of Lewes and for a zero-emission vehicle hire service and car park in a Co-Mobility Hub, which will reduce the amount of traffic and air pollution in town and result in huge carbon savings. The South Downs National Park has given us a clear steer that the proposals must ‘humanise’ the Causeway edge, encouraging walking, wheeling and cycling here, and stitching the new development into the wider town, both physically and visually, with this area becoming a new landscaped park. We have also been asked to include new bus laybys here, which could be part of a new bus provision for the wider town subject to how the ongoing debate and action to address the bus station resolve (see FAQs here)
“We urge those signing this petition to study the proposals and the many benefits they bring – not least the planting of 250 additional trees (many semi-mature) across the Phoenix, which will be maintained in perpetuity by Human Nature’s estate management company. Furthermore, the Phoenix will be the largest ever timber construction project in the UK with huge benefits to woodland management, biodiversity and woodland economy across Sussex and well beyond. Trees, timber and ecosystems are at the heart of this project, which will also provide good homes (including the largest ever concentration of affordable housing in one scheme in the National Park or Lewes & Eastbourne District), public space for all to enjoy, and multiple opportunities for young people – who are increasingly left with no option but to leave the town – including training opportunities in timber construction.
“We have worked in close consultation with the National Park, public authorities and local community to make sure we use this brownfield site wisely, reducing the need to build on greenfields. The Sussex Express is full of local outrage as planning consents for 250 homes on greenfield sites have been approved by government inspectors when brownfield sites sit idle.
“Human Nature is a small Lewes-based company – much of the team live in the town and we have its best interests at heart. We are always keen to meet and speak to local people, explain our decision making, refine our detailed plans and ensure our proposals continue to serve the Lewes community. As ever, please get in touch info@humannature-places.com to share your thoughts and ideas on how to increase biodiversity on the site, address other aspects of sustainability and get involved with the project.”