New exhibition on Phoenix plan

The scheme has been amended after consultation with the South East Regional Design Panel, English Heritage and Lewes District Council, and the model and images reflect what is likely to form the planning basis of the application when it is made this summer.

Lewes District Council at the same time has involved a cross-section of local groups to look at the North Street area and will be producing a vision statement which will form the basis of shaping policy for the area.

This process is expected to be completed in April.

The massive Angel Property scheme includes flood protection, 775 homes (25 per cent of them affordable), 30 shops, 75,000 sq ft of new office space, a 415-space visitor car park, 400 metres of public riverside walk, a footbridge over the Ouse, a slipway and boat store, a three-screen cinema, the Sussex Innovation Centre, and a new industrial estate and fire station to be located in Malling Brooks.

Said developer Charles Style: 'A new traffic junction on the Phoenix Causeway will allow traffic entering the quarter to enter straight off the Causeway and will also enable traffic leaving Tesco to exit to the right, thereby avoiding circling the town.

'The scheme will include technologies to reduce carbon emission and to conserve energy.

'Sustainability is an issue which is very important to local people and which Angel Property has committed to embrace.

'The overall development is expected to allow space for the creation of 1,000 new jobs and much needed-affordable housing.'

The model shows that most new buildings will be at the same height as existing buildings alongside.

The taller tower elements of the scheme have now been limited to three buildings which go up to six storeys in height; most of the buildings are now three to four storeys.