ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT In Brief

The DAS describes the iterative thinking, precedentresearch, planning, designing, and consultation processes and ideas that have informed the plans and driven the designs alongside and integrated with the technical and other evidence submitted with the planning application.

We hope we have been clear in identifying the key principles and concepts that underpin the strategy for the Phoenix (Sections 1 and 2); these are the why of the proposals for a regenerated place – and serve to manifest national priorities, meet the purpose and duties of the National Park and the values and mission of Human Nature, all while addressing local priorities and aspirations and honour its landscape context (Sections 3 and 4).

The DAS considers the multiple constraints that have bent the Phoenix towards a particular form. It examines the ways in which key design principles and concepts and a suite of so-called Big Moves inform the layout, massing, use-mix and amenity, enabling the ‘good density’ (Section 5). A summary of the community consultation undertaken is provided (Section 6). It seeks to convey the intended look and feel of the place (Sections 7 and 8), something that is taken up in greater detail and in readiness for delivery, in the Design Code that is a companion to the DAS (Section 9). The DAS also considers land-use, access, connectivity and movement and strategies for energy, flood protection, community building, health and wellbeing and economic regeneration. The Phoenix will bring hundreds of new jobs to the town growing its existing strengths in the creative and circular economy in new, bespoke premises and programmes.

Taken together, this work seeks to plan, design and create the foundations for the delivery of a new type of neighbourhood. It looks to evidence the idea that communities, government and business, acting with shared values and purpose, can reverse the desecration of the natural world, regenerate climate, build a more inclusive and cohesive society, foster new models of prosperity and human flourishing, and all while providing opportunities for a better everyday quality of life for all.

1 The Phoenix Vision

1.1 OUR OBJECTIVES

1.2 THE PHOENIX IN BRIEF

1.2 THE PHOENIX IN NUMBERS

2 WHY: VALUES, PURPOSE & POLICY

2.1 PUBLIC PURPOSE & POLICY

2.1.1 Beyond Local

2.1.2 National Policy Objectives

2.1.3 National Planning Policy

2.1.4 South Downs Local Plan

2.1.5 South Downs National Park

2.2 NEW IMPERATIVES: REGENERATING CLIMATE NATURE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMY

2.3 HUMAN NATURE’S CIRCLE OF IMPACT

2.4 LANDSCAPE LED PLACE DESIGN

2.5 THE CHARACTER OF LEWES

2.6 REFLECTIONS ON LANDSCAPE

3 PLANNING & DESIGN PROCESS

3.1 DESIGN PROCESS: THE EVIDENCE OF THE LAND, NEW FORMS & NEW STRATEGIES

3.2 PLANNING & DESIGN PROCESS: OVERVIEW

3.3 THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM

3.4 PREPARATORY WORK

3.5 PLANNING & DESIGN PROCESS

4 LANDSCAPE CONTEXT

4.1 LEWES IN THE DOWNS

4.2 NEW LEWES

4.3 GEOGRAPHY

4.4 LANDSCAPE & VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT - CHARACTER

4.5 LANDSCAPE & VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT - VISUAL

4.6 DERELICTION & THE SITE TODAY

4.7 CONSERVATION AREA

4.8 HERITAGE

4.9 HISTORICAL/ARCHAEOLOGICAL & ARTEFACTS

4.10 SITE OPPORTUNITIES & CONSTRAINTS

5 CONSTRAINTS, CONCEPTS & BIG MOVES

5.3