2008 press releases

Norman Baker on car free developments in Lewes and parking permits

Lewes MP Norman Baker looks like winning his long battle to prevent residents of new developments in Lewes which are marketed as car-free from being able subsequently to qualify for a resident's parking permit.

In a letter from East Sussex County Council, John Robbins writes:

"Officers have agreed today that we will recommend to Lead Member as follows:

• We adopt a policy that in Zone 1 (the most accessible areas) for "car free" or "car lite" developments (ie developments which are specifically planned as such, with positive measures to encourage sustainable travel choices rather than just the absence of parking provision) we will not issue permits or will restrict issue to one. The County would oppose any development that just failed to provide parking without being positively car free.
• The zoning in Lewes to be reviewed with a significant area in the centre and around the station expected to be reclassified as zone 1."

Norman Baker says: "This is a very welcome step and good common sense. The streets around the town centre are already heavily used by residents, and there has been a real fear that if the new occupiers of sizeable developments intended to be car-lite, such as that planned for behind Lewes House, were able to qualify for permits, the consequence for nearby streets would be horrendous.

"This decision means that those who purchase a car-free residence will genuinely have to be prepared to live without a car, which is exactly what the status of such developments intends."

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