December 27 2016.



Council Leaders and Chief Executives from Lewes District Council and East Sussex County Council met with key representatives from Newhaven Port and Properties last week.

Good progress is reported to have been made during the full and productive discussions that took place. This has delivered a commitment by all the strategic partners to create a new joint committee that will meet regularly to discuss a variety of mutually important projects including the Newhaven port access road, the Newhaven Enterprise Zone and other investments in Newhaven.

Councillor Andy Smith, leader of Lewes District Council said: “There is clearly a mutual desire to work together and we very much welcome the positive news on the ferry service, with Lewes District Council being in a position to formally grant planning permission for the Port expansion plan, now that the requirements of the Section 106 agreement have been completed by NPP.”

Councillor Rupert Simmons, lead cabinet member for Economy at East Sussex County Council said: “The meeting brought together all the strategic partners in the investment ambitions for Newhaven, the town, its harbour port and ferry service. The common agreement as to how to proceed was hugely encouraging and should realise more potential in future years.”

A follow-up letter to Newhaven Port and Properties signed by Cllr Andy Smith, Cllr Rupert Simmons, Becky Shaw, Chief Executive of ESCC and Robert Cottrill, Chief Executive of Lewes District Council outlining the way forward and confirming the creation of a new Joint Committee has also been sent.