Using 3.5 acres of the 14-acre Phoenix Estate site, we want to create low-cost workspace, live-work units and genuinely affordable housing – all with a focus on renovation and innovative new build. Our goal is to retain and create affordable places to work live, learn and play in the heart of Lewes. We propose that around 25% of the Phoenix Estate is allocated to community benefit. This area – kno
wn as Phoenix Place – will be used to provide a mix of work and venue space, and social-rented homes and work-live units. Key highlights of our plans
Renovation of the Phoenix Ironworks – The old Phoenix Ironworks are part of Lewes’ industrial heritage. Rather than demolition, we are looking to retain this beautiful Victorian iron and brick architecture to create 6,800+m2 workspace for local makers, businesses and social and community enterprises. Socially-rented housing – Our proposal includes 48 one- and two-bedroom units to be offered on social rents. All housing will incorporate sustainable locally-sourced materials and high levels of energy efficiency. Live/work micro- units – Innovative and sustainably-built micro units will provide genuinely affordable to space for people who want to both live and work in Phoenix Place. Flood resilience – The development is designed to allow flooding with minimal impact – by keeping residential areas and essential services above flood levels. Increased building densities – To accommodate our proposals, we have recommended increasing building densities across the whole development site. This will ensure no net loss of housing, better reflects Lewes’ medieval town layout and is shown to be more sustainable than spaced out individual dwellings. Why are we doing it? Lewes Phoenix Rising came about because a vital part of Lewes’ life, economy and character was under threat. Plus traditional development was not meeting the housing need in our town. There are many good reasons for creating a community-led development company. But there were main key factors behind the creation of Lewes Phoenix Rising and our alternative proposals for the Phoenix Estate.
1. To support Lewes livelihoods & community
The Phoenix Industrial Estate supports over 50 businesses and enterprises employing over 450 people. To protect and strengthen the economic, cultural and social fabric of Lewes, we wanted to find a way to keep as many of these businesses as possible in the heart of our town. Retaining and renovating the buildings of and round the Phoenix Ironworks could be one way to do this.
2. To secure genuinely affordable housing
The need for genuinely affordable housing in Lewes has become critical. As market prices continue to soar, more and more Lewesians are being priced out of both the purchase and rental market. While Santon/LDC’s plans include 397 dwellings, fewer than 40% are likely to be affordable and the definition of ‘affordable’ may be 80% of market rates. This is still well out of the range of many people. Our plans include 48 one- and two-bedroom dwellings made available on social rents – which can be as little as half the level of market rates. We also recommend protecting residential land in perpetuity for the benefit of local people.
3. To make a development that’s worthy of Lewes
Our town is unique in its position in the landscape, its history and character. But traditional development is in danger of transforming Lewes into yet another clone town. We support development that enhances – rather than blights – the unique character of Lewes and the South Downs National Park, through:
Cutting-edge architectural design and building practices
Renovation of existing buildings of architectural merit
Bold integration of spaces for living, working, culture and community creating a vibrant neighbourhood that people want to be in. Read the South Downs National Park Authority’s design review of Santon proposals for the Phoenix Industrial estate
4. To create a sustainable development
The Phoenix Industrial Estate sits in a flood plain and is expected to flood again (having done so most recently in 2000). To avoid pushing flooding problems to other parts of the town, we believe any development in this area has to focus on flood resilience rather than flood defence. Equally, we want to encourage development that has minimal environment impact – through building renovation, sourcing local materials wherever possible and incorporating energy efficiency into design and build.
