A major revamp of the town centre including 110 new affordable homes is in the pipeline. Over £500,000 has been agreed by Lewes District Council towards the scheme, which is expected to create more than 100 new jobs.

As part of the scheme, shoppers will be able to park free of charge for short periods in two of the town’s multi-storey car parks. The scheme is expected to focus on three council-owned sites: Newhaven Square Shopping Centre, the Seahaven Swim and Fitness Centre and the Lower Place Car Park.

Across the three sites, the council is working with commercial operators to build a range of developments including a 69-bedroom hotel, a supermarket and a new community health and leisure centre.

What is an Enterprise Zone?
Enterprise Zones are designated areas across England that provide tax breaks and Government support for growth. Businesses locating to Enterprise Zones benefit from up to 100% business rate relief over a five-year period and simplified local authority planning for certain developments within the EZ area.

Why does Newhaven have Enterprise Zone status?
Newhaven is a coastal port town ready for regeneration with capacity for growth. The area has large brownfield sites located close to the port, waterfront and town centre. This level of space for development is unusual compared to other coastal towns in the UK and puts Newhaven in an advantageous position for being close to London and international markets.

What are the travel times from Newhaven to London or Brighton?
Trains to Brighton typically takes half an hour, 90 minutes to London Victoria with a change at Lewes. Travelling to the centre of Brighton by car only takes 30 minutes, whilst to get to London Gatwick airport it takes 45mins.

What available space is there?
With the capacity to deliver up to 750,000 sq ft of commercial development (both new and refurbished) and a total site area across eight sites (including the town centre) of approximately 80 hectares. Please see the map below that lays out the Enterprise Zone areas within the town.

For current information in regards to a particular site within the Enterprise Zone or the particular facilities, please get in touch.

Newhaven has been shortlisted for the next round of a £675 million Government fund. Newhaven is joined by 50 other towns through to the second phase of the Future High Street Fund to transform high streets, out of around 300 towns that applied.

This bid is the latest step in Lewes District Council’s regeneration plans for the town, following the designation of Newhaven as an Enterprise Zone in 2017 and £30 million of investment attracted since then. The council will work up detailed project proposals for submission in April 2020 based on their initial plans. These will focus on the changing nature of the town centre and the transition of Newhaven’s high street to a more valuable economic and social role.

Photo courtesy of Benedict Stenning.

With phase 2 of Eastside Business Park underway, there are many adaptable units ready for occupation.

Home to E:on Rampion Site Office for Rampion Off-Shore Wind Farm, Newhaven Port is already well established with new space emerging for support services and businesses looking towards exporting and engineering.