Traders and council slam police station bid

Sussex Police has applied for permission to build a two-storey building on the site after a similar application was refused by Lewes District Council last year.

Lewes Chamber Of Commerce, which represents more than 100 businesses, has criticised the plan because it will cut the number of car parking spaces for visitors to the town, while the Lewes Town Council has said Sussex Police should renovate its existing building in West Street.

Andrew Clarke, vice president of Lewes Chamber of Commerce, said: 'Lewes has always been underprovided with central off-street parking and the loss of half of this car park to development is unacceptable.

'It is a major asset to the businesses in the upper High Street and is heavily used, not only by shoppers, but by visitors to the crown court, the White Hart, and the many restaurants, pubs and offices in the area.'

Mr Clarke said the proposal would be a 'gross underdevelopment of this site' and warned a 'town centre parking meltdown' could occur.

On Tuesday the town council's planning committee also criticised the plan.

Cllr Merlin Milner said: 'A number of people are unhappy about the loss of parking spaces and I don't know what's wrong with the old building.

'I think it comes down to pounds, shillings and pence.