Newhaven & Denton Island regeneration latest: free parking boost

 A traffic scheme to allow a period of free parking and a crackdown on nuisance parking in Newhaven town centre and Denton Island has been approved.

The decision by Cabinet councillors at Lewes District Council will amend and enforce traffic regulations around the pedestrianised area of the town centre and tackle the issue of caravans and motorhomes parking overnight on Denton Island.

A minimum of 30 minutes will be free for people using Lower Place and Dacre Road multi-storey car parks.

The town centre in one of eight key sites in the Newhaven Enterprise Zone and this announcement is the latest by the district council in the work to deliver a masterplan that will see a new 23,000 sq. ft food store, four new retail units totalling 4,000 sq. ft, a 69-bedroom hotel, leisure facilities including a 20,000 sq. ft health hub, 250 parking spaces and over 100 new affordable homes.

Lewes District Council is in advanced discussions with a national food retailer, a national hotel chain and social housing provider. The development will create significant employment during the construction phase and over 100 jobs when completed.

Councillor Bill Giles, Cabinet Member for Finance at Lewes District Council, said the introduction of free parking and the crack-down on nuisance parking would be welcomed in the town.

“Newhaven is on the cusp of significant changes,” he said. “By introducing free parking we will encourage more shoppers and visitors to come to the town. And by cracking  down on nuisance parking we will make the pedestrian and driving experience a much happier one.”

The northern part of Railway Quay, which is currently used illegally for temporary parking, will also be monitored and new controls will be introduced. In the longer term, this area will be set up for parking during the redevelopment.

Councillor Andy Smith, Leader of Lewes District Council, said:

“Our plans for Newhaven are gathering pace all the time. Delivering change of this scale takes time but we are on track to achieve a once in a lifetime transformation.”

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