On 13 May 2008 at 12:46pm to move, or not to move? wrote:
Hello Lewes!
Ok, I'll be brief. I live in Hove with my wife and we would love to move to Lewes as it appears to be a fantastic town to start our family in.
I understand the concerns of some on this Forum of newbies moving into Lewes and thus, its character being ruined but I plan to be a constructive member of the community and want the town to keep all of the charm that so attracts us to it now.
A question I have, and I don't know how specific I'm allowed to be on this forum when it come to using company names, is in relation to the new development off of Malling St, on the sight of the old "Nurseries"!
Is this one of the developments that people are so un-happy about in the town? I realise this site was an affected area during the "flood" but the developers flood defences appear very secure and the site has been rated with a "once in two hundred years" flood rating from the goverment.
My knowledge on flood defences full stop, and particually in Lewes, amounts to zero so any thoughts/info/ help in regards to should I take the plunge(!) and purchase at this development would be gratefully recieved.
On 13 May 2008 at 1:15pm Nevill Newby wrote:
I'd like to say welcome to our town.
I dont have a prob with out of towners joining our lovely town I think most people have a prob when people come and try and change the town like being anti bonfire love it or hate it its here to stay.
the development you're looking at was indeed underwater as was the houses next to this dvelopment and all land nearby I cant see what they have done to stop water coming up the road and into this new estate or from behind ie malling brookes. I would never buy a house anywhere near what flooded as I have seen the damge caused to possions and property insurance cant replace family photo's etc.
You also mentioned you wanted to start a family there are
areas with bigger gardens than this my child loves his big garden and I wouldnt buy a house again with small garden.
many people on here will try and swing you for one estate to another just ask most people on here are friendly.
On 13 May 2008 at 1:20pm Mystic Mog wrote:
They have underground storage tanks and pums.
On 13 May 2008 at 1:29pm Nevill Newby wrote:
MMMM not convinced this will work the volume of water and no electricity but they must know more than me.
On 13 May 2008 at 1:43pm Karen wrote:
It would also get lots of road noise...depends if you want a new build or something (in my view) with a bit more character....If you've got 300-400K them the Wallands/Nevill are a good place to have a family.
Also, not the best time to be buying...prices in Lewes are on the slide...several houses near me have had to drop the asking price significantly in the last few months..
On 13 May 2008 at 2:50pm To move or not to move? wrote:
Thanks for all your responses so far, really useful.
They do indeed have a massive storage tank and pump operation just in case although who knows how well it would work until it's too late.
I too have never been a fan of new builds at all, and i'm currently living in a lovely flat in a converted Victorian mansion house. However, what attracts me to this development rather than any other new builds is the German pre-made type construction that's been used here (like Hoff houses off Grand Designs!). I wasn't that interested until I viewed and was really amazed at the quality of build, nothing like normal new build.
I sound like I'm trying to sell them which I'm not! but it's things like the windows which make road noise (mentioned in a post above) completely disapear. And re a small garden, I haven't had any garden since 2000 and the balconies make up for it. But I will look into the Wallands and Nevill area as suggested.
Any further views welcome!
Thanks.
On 13 May 2008 at 3:23pm Nevill Newby wrote:
out of interest how much are these houses going for ???
If you can give a approx i'm sure people will give ideas on places in lewes for same kind of money maybe worth a look .....
On 13 May 2008 at 3:31pm to move or not to move? wrote:
upto £350k The Nurseries development is so attractive though because of the size and complete lack of maintanence/decorating etc
On 13 May 2008 at 4:06pm Local wrote:
What a clever little marketing scam this thread has been - see how to move or not to move gets it all in at the end? I suppose as the market is getting a bit sluggish developers have to do0 this kind of thing.
On 13 May 2008 at 4:17pm to move or not to move? wrote:
Why is there always dissent on forums? I am a genuine person who happens to be a little excited about the possibilty of moving into a nice new home and was hoping for some insider info on the location area etc.
Seriously "local", read my threads, does it sound like I'm marketing the Nurseries?? Does it? No. If I was, why would I use a Lewes local forum where people who already live there use? If you've got negative stuff on the development bring it on, I want to hear it and see past the nice shiney marketing the developer offers.
It just saddens me that I ask some questions about a particular site and am then accused of being the developer of them trying a sneaky sales pitch? what gives?
On 13 May 2008 at 5:31pm Local wrote:
Well, I'd hardly expect to move or not to move to admit it. But if this isn't marketing talk I'm a a pint of Harveys: 'However, what attracts me to this development rather than any other new builds is the German pre-made type construction that's been used here (like Hoff houses off Grand Designs!). I wasn't that interested until I viewed and was really amazed at the quality of build, nothing like normal new build.' Golly-gush (exclamation mark).
On 13 May 2008 at 6:56pm Big T wrote:
To move or not to move, take no notice of what anybody says. You do what you feel is right for you and your family. Lewes isnt really all that bad just a few of the LOCALS have not much to do but grouch and snipe at what ever! Watch out for your next pint of Harveys, it may speak to you!!!! Actually its not a bad drink.
On 13 May 2008 at 7:44pm Mark wrote:
House in Malling estate went for less than 300k and that had a nice garden and looked out on to Hamsey Church.
Wouldn't want to live in The nurseries after all the floods.
On 13 May 2008 at 8:42pm Local wrote:
Let me explain. Developers have been getting a rough time on this site. What better way to try to influence the cynical people of Lewes by pretending all innocent like to be a family from Hove thinking of moving here - and drop-drop-drop little marketing nugget about how wow! a particular development is while pretending to ask advice. There's a word for this technique in the marketing world.
On 13 May 2008 at 9:54pm renee bird wrote:
did they tell you lewesians are a cynical bunch? don't worry, not many use the forum. the responses here aren't typical of most people. that said, i'd only buy in the nurseries if they gave me a really good discount. this may just be market wobble rather than a crash, so no better time to bargain hard. good luck
On 13 May 2008 at 11:11pm Tess coisbest wrote:
Hi thought id ask can anyone reccomend a good supermarket in Lewes I hear there's a good one down by the river i want one ideally with a costa coffe as they serve the most wide variety of coffe ever and one which gives say club card point swhen you shop would love to here from anyone who can help...
On 14 May 2008 at 12:25am to move or not to move wrote:
Thanks to everyone who gave honest replies. I haven't got the time to justify that I am who I say I am and not a developer using this as a "clever?!" marketing opportunity.
Obviously forums like these, which I haven't used before, have little genuine use as I ask a question and get a load of a hol responses.
Shame as it seemed like a good idea at the time.
On 14 May 2008 at 6:14am expat two wrote:
Don't listen to Local, he (or she) is really just a Seaford resident masquarading as Lewesian, and trying to stir up trouble within the Lewes community. Its a very clever ploy, and nearly fooled everyone, myself included.
On 14 May 2008 at 6:37am localIsh wrote:
Who cares if it's a marketing ploy ???? Isn't this a forum about Lewes for Lewes people Maybe Local is a Director of Harveys hmmmmm
over last few months the forum has had
Anybody know a good Local plumber?
Anybody know a good Local garage?
Anybody know a good Local pc repair?
Anybody know a good Local Disco?
Not forgeting the new 6 a side football
new whine merchant
teeth bleaching
maybe Clarkes staged the robbery as a big advertising
ploy ?
maybe yellow is double glazing salesman ???
maybe Jez Bird faked his own Death ?
And don't start on Bonfire societies?
these are just a few off the first couple of pages
all blatent advertising if you want to read into it ?
All I'm saying is if you Live or work in this great town Promote It use the forum for what its worth if you dont't like it Don't read
I'd love a few of the developers of some of these new estates to come on here for a debate.
Don't stop them
webmaster let me know your views on promoting business on here. I bet he'd love to see some kind of advertisng from lewes based business as this site must cost him a fortune to run which i bet none of you pay towards but enjoy the use of ....?
On 14 May 2008 at 8:53am sashimi wrote:
to move or not to move should ask why housing on that estate is not selling quickly. The housing may be good but it's pricey and I think you can get better value elsewhere in Lewes if you look. Besides being in a flood zone, it's got a dangerous exit onto Malling Street and it backs on to an industrial estate. Check insurance before you buy because insurers are not rating new build as favourably as existing housing on land that flooded even if it is protected by a wall.
On 14 May 2008 at 9:45am s.oliver wrote:
The problem with 'the nurseries' is that however good the housing is, the site has a number of problems. These are pressumably why housing had never been placed there in the past.
My understanding is that the flodding in that area did not start from river overflow, it came up from the ground, with muddy water seeping into properties from beneath. This also occurred in other areas such as the car park by Greyfriars where I witnessed water spewing up through drains long before any came over the concrete flood walls by the river edge.
The road at the entrance to the Nurseries is not only a busy and dangerous route to the town, and tunnel, but is also subject to regular traffic jams.
You should check very carefully what is being built next to the nurseries. There are plans to move the entire North St industrial area to this part of town, including the Fire station, and a massive development has already been approved in the same Malling flood plain. (check Planning Dept for details)
Lewes is great, and there are so many lovely parts to chose from. The site of the Nurseries was not a commercial site for so many years without reason, and I don't think you have to look far to realise why previous generations have chosen other spots to build their housing.
The charms of the actual properties may be enticing, but I would look elsewhere in Lewes.
On 14 May 2008 at 2:18pm to move or not to move? wrote:
Many thanks S.Oliver, that is exactly the type of info and opinion I was hoping to get from my original post.
Food for thought, cheers
On 14 May 2008 at 9:09pm lopster wrote:
difficult not to be cynical about developers when there is so much appalling development taking place in, finished recently and planned for Lewes - storage tanks? there were acres of local land under 15 foot of water - how big are these tanks? - nah! nice and new no need to decorate - nice in principle but my wife always wants to "make her mark" within the first few months - remember the hills too when choosing in Lewes a nice view = a slog uphill - as for the Harveys, acquired taste maybe but they brew so many there should be one that you'll enjoy - happy hunting and welcome??
On 16 May 2008 at 10:50am Local wrote:
LocalIsh - if only I was a director of Harveys. The way things are I can rarely afford to be a customer.
'to move or not to move' - if you are doing a marketing scam: well done. If you're not: no hard feelings and welcome to Lewes when you come here.
On 20 May 2008 at 12:52pm Oldcynic wrote:
I watched the nurseries go up - unless they dug the water storage tanks under the cover of darkness I didn't see them - or the big holes for them to go in! The flood water was very deep on that site and IS on the DoE map as likely to flood again - those living there will be marooned on little concrete islands. Only two out of 18 have sold - all the cheap (ha ha) part owned have gone. The others have had thir prices dropped twice - incidentally the developed have a planning application in for another 30+ properties behind and to the west of the site - AND they were built in Germany and came over on the back of a lorry!
On 21 May 2008 at 2:03pm Local wrote:
Oldcynic - I imagine Lindsay Frost and the councillors are praying that they've retired before the next flood. They just don't care, you know.