Homes are being built on Downland

Members were discussing their response to a government Green Paper on Homes for the Future.

A report prepared by Cllr Rosemary Collict updated members on the latest Whitehall proposals to meet housing needs.

The council was recommended to welcome in principle the Green Paper while expressing concern that it implied an even more rapid expansion of house building in the south east.

Concerns were also raised about the average cost of houses, the number of new homes being built in the town and lack of infrastructure should there be an influx of new homes. The Green Paper gives the average cost a home as 120,000 which is more than eight times the average salary.

Cllr Collict said: 'However, members will be aware that locally the average house price is much higher and that at present not much is available for prices under 250,000.

'Lewes District Council has a target of providing 300 affordable homes over the five-year period between 2005 and 2010.

'Up to March 2007, there were 36 of which 10 were in Saxon Lane, Seaford. There are 75 planned for 2007-08 of which 14 are in Maple Fields off Sandringham Close and four in Hythe Close.'

Cllr Jon Freeman said he felt it was important the council's opinions got back to central government.

He said: 'The average cost of a house in this area is 250,000. They are not affordable for young married couples or people who are partners. To keep our people in our town we need proper affordable homes. It is ridiculous.'

Later in the report, Cllr Collict said: 'The main thrust of development in the Lewes district area in past years has been on the coastal strip, due to the largely rural nature of the northern part of the district.'

She said parts of the Mid-Sussex area, particularly the Gatwick corridor, were much better served by the road and rail network than the coastal strip. She pointed out that increased development was taking place in the Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill areas and that the improved infrastucture in these areas had been recognised.

Most of the available land along the coastal strip had now been used

and encroachment was starting to take place on Downland and greenfield areas like Maple Fields and Barn Close in Seaford and in northern Peacehaven.

Members were asked to agree to a number of specific comments which included that any developments should be low-key, environmentally friendly and feature a high proportion of housing to rent. There should be adequate infrastructure and homes should be built to a high standard to provide the accommodation needed for local people.