New Development, Lewes Road

Image: © Simon Carey Taken: 12 Mar 2013

The site on the corner of Lewes Road and Edinburgh Road was once an ESSO petrol filling station which was vacated during the first decade of the 21st century whereupon after demolition it became a big dumping ground. With a tacit agreement from the owners of the freehold who were in the process of obtaining planning permission in 2009 it became a Community Garden maintained by volunteers which in turn became a popular open space in what is an area packed with terrace housing. This lasted until July 2010 when the developers wished to move in and start building, however, those involved in the garden became aware that the store would be leased to Tesco and refused to leave. Eventually after a tense stand off they did though in turn Tesco decided not to lease one of the units. Since then the building containing retail units and flats has been finished though it looks like they both await occupants.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0