THE TOWNSCAPE & LANDSCAPE VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN THE DESIGN CODE

The Townscape and Landscape Visual Impact Assessment is an independent study which analyses the existing ‘baseline’ context and then assesses the potential impact of the proposed development upon it.

3.2 LVIA Viewpoints Across and Beyond The Phoenix

A: LVIA verified view 07 Malling Hill, Malling Down (The Coombe)

B: LVIA verified view 14 Chapel Hill / Footpath (Public Right of Way)

C: LVIA verified view 27 Willey’s Footbridge looking Downstream

In response to the LVIA, the layout and massing of the proposals are controlled overall by the parameter plans, with the Design Code covering more detailed requirements for each parcel.

The Design Code identifies and controls key views across the Phoenix site identified by the LVIA, views into the site and views from the site out of the Phoenix, which are to be preserved, created or changed.

D: LVIA verified view 32 South Tower (roof viewing platform), Lewes Castle

E: LVIA verified view 63 Jenner’s Way meets Malling Recreation Ground

F: LVIA verified view 64 Jenner’s Way and SOVW

LVIA Townscape views which will be preserved and/or created. have the was impacts development reas, there site there matters such recreation. immediate tranquillity, an the area. development’s views following chapter.

G: LVIA verified view 65 Jenner’s Way and SOVW (Left and Right)

H: LVIA verified view 66 Phoenix Bridge and Causeway (A2029)

I: LVIA verified view 67 Phoenix Causeway (A2029) (Left and Right)

J: LVIA verified view 85 Skate Park, Malling Recreation ground, Footpath o Brooks Close

K: LVIA verified view 97 Pelham Terrace / Talbot Street facing Pells Pond next to Listed School House

L: LVIA verified view U20 Bankside path, mid-point along Malling Recreation Ground (Left and Right)

2 Location of Verified Viewpoints

LVIA Significant View

Extract from Design Code showing how views are identified and controlled across the site

9.4 PLACEMAKING IN THE DESIGN CODE

4.2 Wider Connectivity

Riverfront Connectivity

Proposals must prioritise walking and cycling on all streets with the intention of making a walkable neighbourhood.

A new, continuous walking route must be delivered along the entire river frontage which connects the existing riverside path in The Pells to the north of The Phoenix to the Causeway Bridge to the south. This route must be as accessible as possible, complying with section 5.4.1 Ouse Walk.

A connection to a future route leading further south along the river towards the town centre must be safeguarded.

Proposals should deliver a walking connection to Malling Rec via the proposed foot anc cycle bridge.

The Design Code sets out requirements for placemaking for the new neighbourhood which respond to the spatial constraints and embody the following concepts and big moves of the masterplan:

“Streets

Cycling Connectivity

Proposals must integrate cycling infrastructure with the wider existing and planned network.

The Phoenix must deliver an off-carriageway cycle route that links Phoenix Causeway to Malling Rec via the proposed foot and cycle bridge.

Maximising Connectivity and Access, Bike Culture, The 5-minute neighbourhood:The Design Code sets out rules for wider connectivity, a walkable neighbourhood, a new river front path, new bridge and new cycling infrastructure integrated into the wider network of Lewes.

Note: for details of vehicular connectivity see Section 5.1.2 Circulation Network.

Causeway Edge & Interface, Conservation area, A River Runs Through: The Design code controls the design of the key site edges ensuring the new development respond s appropriately to each of the different boundary conditions around the site, including the Ouse river edge, the Pells edge, the historic town and conservation area. The Design Code sets out requirements for the Phoenix Causeway including the new Phoenix Gardens and The Foreshore park between Plot 10A and the river, and the new Ouse Walk along the riverfront, including the Belvedere and Thomas Paine Bridge:

Streets for people, Safety: The Design Code ensures the new streets and public spaces will benefit from active frontages and corners to bring economic activity and social life to the new streets, with clearly defined fronts onto streets. Generous floor to floor heights in most parcels will allow other uses than just residential at ground level.

Circular economy, Circle of Impact, Retained and re-purposed structures, Adaptive re-use and mining the Anthropecene: The Design code controls the design and design process to ensure the new development will achieve exponential sustainability. Detailed sustainable design requirements for the Phoenix are set out in the separate Energy and Sustainability Strategy document

Typology routes which have been typology. scale, being the main neighbourhood. ‘Streets’ must private vehicle movement to foot and cycle movement vehicular. Trees, soft must be integrated on all largely public and highly

9.5 PUBLIC REALM IN THE DESIGN CODE

‘Streets’ must reflect site-wide codes as set out earlier in this chapter, including but not limited to Public Realm Coded Golden Threads. All ‘Streets’ must also reference the Thematic Golden Threads; see section 2.1 for illustrated and detailed descriptions of these themes. The table below lists Public Realm Coded Golden Threads (left column) and Thematic Golden Threads ‘Streets’ must reference (right column).

The Design Code sets a framework for design of routes, landscape and public spaces, which respond to the spatial constraints and embody the following Concepts and Big moves of the masterplan:

Streets for People, Retained Street Pattern:

The Design code weaves the Phoenix neighbourhood into the existing pattern of Lewes, setting out a clear hierarchy of routes and circulation network for the vehicles, cycles, parking and pedestrians in the new neighbourhood which integrates with the existing streets. The character and quality of the streets and public spaces in the new neighbourhood are clearly defined with a clear typology of routes- streets, mews and twittens.

Life between buildings, Shared Living, Neighbourhood centre: The Design Code controls the design of new public spaces and courtyards throughout the new neighbourhood, including detailed requirements for the new neighbourhood centre: for Foundry Yard, Soap Yard and Phoenix Square, and also other public spaces such as Pells Gardens and Jacob’s Gardens.

Youthfulness & Playfulness, Health & Wellbeing: The Design Code sets requirements for play space for all ages.

Riverine and Pluvial flooding, Raingardens and Floodable Landscape, Landscape & the senses: The Design Code sets out requirements for Blue Infrastructure which will manage flood risk, improve climate resilience, respond and improve access to the riparian landscape of the river, and use water as a key driver in the design of the new neighbourhood.

Bioregional & Ecosystem services, Biophilia & Super Greening the Urban Environment, Growing community: The Design Code sets out requirements for green infrastructure which will conserve and enhance local ecosystems, optimise microclimate, create opportunities for food production and engage the local communities’ relationship with them. This includes use of green roofs for biodiversity, visual amenity and pluvial resilience, design requirements for gardens and courtyards, balconies and terraces and Design Codes for plant species and strategies for tree planting Living Cultural Heritage, Making Space: The Design Code sets guidance for reusing historic structures and the creation of studios and maker spaces in the new neighbourhood.

2

1 Lewes Friday Market - Example of activity which the Neighbourhood Centre could support

Extracts from Design Code showing species requirements for planting

4 Illustrative View of the Foundry Yard towards the Belvedere at higher

3 Relocatable planters which allow spaces to be reconfigured and added to over time with the Typologies and all

296 FEBRUARY 2023 THE PHOENIX / DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT

Plot Structure and Massing

The predominant layout across the neighbourhood should be plots that define street frontages and frame streets, clarifying the distinction between public and private space, aiding way finding and legibility; this should particularly apply to the plots flanking both sides of North Street and the north side of Phoenix Place.

All roof types must perform a function in support of the projects objectives; this should include but not be limited to:

6.1.2 Scale and Massing

Aggregation

9.6 PARCEL DESIGN IN THE DESIGN CODE

The following code applies:

DP1 Vernacular Masterplan

The masterplan must ensure a layered urban grain.

Pitched Roofs: Energy generation through PVs, capture of solar energy (when appropriately oriented), green / brown roofs (which support insect and bird life).

Individual Parcels should not aggregate into a single unbroken building. Parcels must be broken into Plots and Sub-plots to create permeability and routes to improve the microclimate; exceptions to this statement prove the rule and are permitted selectively.

Permeability

In order to ensure permeability and respect the urban grain of Lewes plots must not exceed 70.0m without a break in the built form along a single elevation.

Conservation area, The Golden Threads, Weave & stitch, Elegance, Wit & imperfection: The Parcel Codes apply these principles and the detailed masterplan responses to the Conservation area to each parcel. The emblematic themes of Phoenix Golden Threads are applied in the Parcel codes, bringing the continuity of the enduring and most successful characteristics of Lewes to the new neighbourhood.

Flat Roofs: Resident / public amenity such as seating, barbecue areas, laundry drying playspace etc, growing space and/or green houses, energy generation through PVs, capture of solar energy (when appropriately oriented), green / brown roofs (which support insect and bird life).

All mechanical plant, PVs and lift overruns should be concealed and/or integrated with the design of the roof, being cognizant of bird’s eye and townscape views of roofs. PVs should be flush and non-reflective.

Framing Routes Plots should frame routes and provide sightlines towards the river, views towards the surrounding landscape and/or to another route, maximising orientation and legibility.

C.13.2 Roofs

“Green roofs and solar collection will be encouraged unless there are clear built heritage or other design concerns.”

6.1.1 Urban Grain 3 Permeability - Maximum plot length 2 Aggregation - Plot aggregation by plot / building

Coded and Thematic Golden Threads

For each Parcel, the Design Code sets requirements for urban grain, scale and massing of blocks, internal courtyards, building lines, roof articulation and utilisation, materials, window fenestration and more functional requirements such as use and building typology, space standards, flood resilience and waste and storage and residential thresholds.

Requirements are also set for key facilities such as the Health Centre, The Co-Mobility Hub and the buildings around the Civic Centre.

A separate Design and Access Statement will be submitted for the detailed application for Parcel 1. This will include a section showing how the Design Code has been applied to this detailed application.

PVs on Pitched Roof Green and Brown Pitched Roof PVs on Flat Roof Green and Brown Flat Roof with Bee Hives Resident Amenity on Flat Roof of the existing housing by the corner with site is in a transition location between the big box retail to the east, the historic centre to the southwest, and areas such as the Landport and Walland’s Park estates. The scale and massing must consider these adjacencies, with a bias towards the latter urban grain, and the impact on near and far views.

The urban grain must provide a transition from the development into the abutting neighbourhoods and their urban grain. The new development must be more sensitive to Spring Gardens and Wellington Street context with respect to height and massing (refer to Development Parcel codes).

The Phoenix faces an existing residential development across Wellington Street; it must not exceed the height

Extracts from Design Code showing requirements for plot design and utilisation of roofs

All Plots within Parcel 1 must reflect site-wide codes as set out in section 6.1, including but not limited to Development Parcel Coded Golden Threads. All Plots within Parcel 1 must also reference the Thematic Golden Threads; see section 2.1 for illustrated and detailed descriptions of these themes. The table below lists Development Parcel Coded Golden Threads (left column) and Thematic Golden Threads Parcel 1 must reference (right column).

Development Parcel Coded Golden Threads as coded in 6.1

DP1 Vernacular Masterplan

DP2 Varied Roofline

DP3 Pitched Roofs or Parapets

DP4 Material Selection (see item 3 below)

DP5 Fenestration

DP6 Recessed Entrances

DP7 Personalised Thresholds (see item 5 below)

Planting and Trees (see item 1 below)

Cliffs and Floodplain (see item 1 below)

Meeting the Ouse

Riparian Materials (see item 2 below)

Riparian Landscape

Pells Edge/Ouse Edge

The Pells 2

DRAFT 25/01/23 Built Form max70m max70m max6m max6m continuous North Street/ Phoenix Place min. 4m Built Form max70m max70m max70m max6m max6m continuousfrontages North Street/ Phoenix Place min. 4m Built Form max70m max70m max70m max6m max6m continuousfrontages North Street/ Phoenix Place min. 4m 4 Relationship to Context 5 Corner Buildings - Corner building height Transition Location The

Parcel 3 2 3 1

Pells Walk

Parcel 1 has a tangential relationship to North Street with the gable end of 1C facing the street and the space between plots 1A, 1C and 1D providing public access to The Pells. 1C Malling Lane

2 Phoenix Golden Threads - Illustrative view showing Parcel 1 Golden Thread Application

4 5

Rear gardens, maximum 3m in depth

MallingLane

Framed Views and Vistas

3 Height - Floor to floor heights

2.8m min.

2.8m min.

All floor-to-floor floor adjacent

Setbacks should entrances shared open amenity the in the the surface

Plot 1A and Plot 1B must create and frame a long view to the Downs.

1C Parcel 2

Plot 1C and the western perimeter of Parcel 2 must create and frame a long view towards the Downs along Malling Lane.

NorthStreet

1 Fronts And Backs - Primary and secondary entrances

Plot 1A, Plot 1D and Plot 3A must create and frame a view south towards Brack Mount.

Plot 1A and Plot 1D must leave an opening between their gable ends ensuring a vista and welcoming entry into the Pells via Pells Walk.

4 Massing - Dual aspect and facade stepping

Design Code controls for views in Parcel 1

Outdoor Space

Pells facade must be setback a minimum the inner face of the new flood wall, garden terrace.

Urban Grain

than threshold expression, must be grade to provide a continuous edge to the space.

2 Thresholds - Entrances and threshold spaces

Parcel Division

Lane

The Parcel must accommodate a minimum of 4 Plots, each defining a part of the Parcel perimeter.

The Parcel is bounded by the replacement flood wall on the western and eastern edges (the River Ouse and Pells Walk) which is also the site boundary (red line). To the east the Parcel is bounded by Parcels 2 and 3.

Flat roofs with resident amenity

Typology upper floors should be occupied uses, however, a live/work situation is entrance to the residential units should space to the east. thresholds) should be shared by 2 or

5 Roof Articulation - Varied roofscape

Design Code controls for a varied roofsacpe in Parcel 1

Varied adjacent roofs

Massing Plots Frontages Plot Roof The reflecting

Every residential unit should space, either directly or in communal Thresholds

The threshold area should be depth and accessed via the perimeter central open space.

The threshold area must clearly perimeter path either through materials or a change in direction

Design Code controls for thresholds in Parcel 1

9.7 PARCEL 1 RESPONSE TO THE DESIGN CODE

Ash Sakula Architects have been commissioned to develop a full design for Parcel 1, which has been included with this application. This design has been included to demonstrate how the Design Code will work to control the detailed designs and ensure the quality of the detailed proposals for each Parcel as it comes forward for development.

This proposals for Parcel 1 will create 44 new homes, a mixture of townhouses, duplexes and apartments with a variety of tenures. Elevations of the Parcel 1 proposals shown here have responded to the Golden Threads of the Design Code and the different conditions of the Pells and river edges. This can be seen in the treatment of scale, massing, plot and roof articulation, fenestration, use of materials, colour and greening of façades.

These proposals are set out in detail in a separate Design & Access statement and demonstrate how the principles of landscape-led place design have been brought together with the requirements of the Design Code in the designs for Parcel 1.