Ditchling MP, Norman Baker, is calling for Lewes District Council to provide urgent clarification on the status of Chesterton's, amongst local fears that the long established shop may close.
For three weeks, Chesterton's, on the High Street, has been closed while refurbishment has taken place. This has raised concerns with locals who believe that the services it provided previously may not be retained when it reopens as it is alleged that the refurbishment may be a pre-emptive move to turn the shop into a restaurant/café.
Currently, a planning application for a change of use has been submitted for the site to change to a restaurant/café, but this is yet to be granted and the local MP believes that residents of Ditchling should have their say on this application before any work takes place.
Commenting Norman said: "This shop, in its current form, provides a service for the local community. If the intention is to turn it into a restaurant, local residents must be able to have their say on that before it happens."
If the work takes place and the shop reopens as a restaurant, before the application is granted, a retrospective application would be required to be submitted by the owners. However, until the council makes a decision on that application, Chesterton's would be able to operate as a restaurant, resulting in a loss of services without the local residents having the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have.
Norman added: "There is a fundamental decision to be made by the council as to whether they are prepared to see the loss of this long established shop or whether they are prepared to see it turned into a restaurant. That decision should be made before any works are undertaken and I have therefore written to Lewes District Council to urge them to immediately establish what works are going on at the site and to ensure that the democratic planning process is followed."
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
