FAQs
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Thank you to everyone who has shared their questions on our revised proposals.
Morrisons is moving at pace to bring forward a scheme that supports the local community and that is deliverable. The changes made to the previous application will help ensure this.
We're now working towards securing planning consent for the scheme in the autumn.
What will happen to the other existing buildings at the Meridian Centre?
Both Peacehaven Library and Community House will be retained, with external works taking place at both buildings.
This means that Butterfly Nursery, which is part of the Community House building, will also continue to operate from the site and will remain open during construction works
How will Morrisons protect the wildlife and environment on and around the site?
Morrisons and its appointed ecologist will conduct surveys and assessments to understand what protected species – including birds – live on the site and how this could impact the development process. We will comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements regarding wildlife on the site.
Our plans mean that some of the trees on the site will need to be removed as we refine the site levels. However, we will be planting a variety of new native trees and add bird nesting and bat roosting features where possible.
What will be built on the future development plot, and who will occupy these units?
Morrisons has submitted a planning application which has two parts: a detailed application, which sets out our plans to demolish the Meridian Centre and build a new supermarket, public open spaces and parking; and an outline application, which includes an indication of the uses that could be brought forward on the eastern part of the site. This includes further retail and commercial space, and other town centre uses.
There could be drive-thru units, such as sandwich or coffee shops, on the future development plot, but not hot food takeaway. The site will also not be used for housing. Ultimately, the occupiers for these units will be driven by market demand.
Before this part of the site can be developed, a further application will need to be submitted to Lewes District Council containing additional detail on our plans. Residents and stakeholders will again be given an opportunity to share their views during the consultation period, ahead of the application being determined by the council.
Why is the store opening in 2028? What guarantee can Morrisons give that the supermarket will open?
We know how eager local residents are for the new store to open and we are working hard to deliver the scheme as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, developments of this scale require significant ground and regulatory work before construction can safely begin.
To ensure the store can be delivered, we must complete several mandatory technical and planning steps. This includes obtaining a decision on the application by the planning committee, agreeing formal conditions for delivery with Lewes District Council, and completing further ecological assessments throughout the second half of this year (2026).
In 2027, we will be able to begin demolition, with construction of the store expected to take place that summer. The store will then open in 2028.
Our delivery timeline can be viewed in the ‘Our Proposals’ section of the website.
Will Morrisons be providing public transport services as part of its plans?
The site is easily accessible via bus services from Brighton, Newhaven and Seaford, and we will keep the existing bus turning area in the north west corner of the site.
We will also provide real time display bus information within the site and supermarket.
Can you provide a “pop up” store until the new Peacehaven store is built?
We have worked hard to redesign the store, reduce costs and make sure it is deliverable.
Unfortunately, Morrisons is unable to provide a temporary “pop up” store while the new supermarket is being built. This is due to the technical challenges of redeveloping the site, including accessibility to the store during the construction phase, as well as the significant costs it would add to the scheme.
We previously operated a click-and-collect service from the rear of the Meridian Centre; however, this was stopped due to lack of demand.
How many jobs will the new development create? Will local people get priority in applying for jobs?
We expect the new store to provide 150 jobs. For comparison, the former Co-op employed 48 people.
Additional jobs on the future development plot will depend on the types of businesses that occupy this space, but we would expect up to 150 further jobs to be created.
Morrisons’ approach is always to employ local people in our stores as far as possible.
Are there accessible spaces for people visiting the store?