Previous Newsletters and Annual Reports

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After decades of use, it was sold to a property developer  who closed the building and it fell into disrepair. In 2009 a planning application was made to demolish it and turn it into flats. This was opposed and turned down

At this point, strong opinions were expressed in the local paper and on-line:

“English Heritage have acknowledged the merit of this significant building, and just because it isn’t listed now, doesn’t mean it couldn’t be. The dereliction the owner has allowed makes it hard to imagine how fine it should look, and it is a very well thought out, and cleverly designed structure in a tricky space. Just look at the unusual lines of the roof line when driving past from the prison. It is very modern indeed.”

“It is an example of an Arts and Crafts building – rare in Lewes – and it sits well on a difficult site without dominating: unlike the proposed, brash new flats. The varying roof line along Western Road  is, I think, irreplaceable; apart from the obvious community issues it is part of the streetscape and its history.”

In 2011, another application was made for demolition and the building of fewer flats. Friends of Lewes objected and this article appeared in the local paper:

Friends of Lewes object to Hall plans

The Friends of Lewes have objected to Lewes District Council about recently re-submitted, significantly revised plans for the redevelopment of Canon O’Donnell Hall on Western Road. Once gain these were turned down by the District Council who, following the establishment of the South Downs National Park Authority, were acting on their behalf in determining the application.

The Friends would accept redevelopment of the site if it is to a really high standard of design, and it isn’t possible to find a use for the existing building.  Their concerns about current plans for this key wedge-shaped site on Western Road include the following:

• The changes to earlier proposals are so great that a fresh application, allowing more comment, would have been more appropriate than an amendment.
• Insufficient consideration has been given to the alternative of repair and refurbishment.
• The drawings and visualisations are inadequate for such an important site.
• The design now proposed is out of character with its surroundings, with fussy details and too wide a range of materials. Some key elements of detail  (e.g.: rainwater pipes and refuse storage) are missing.
• The proposals for car-parking are likely to prove inadequate and will lead to the loss of two on-street parking spaces.

Documents show more than three years of design development and on-going consultation with both Lewes District Council and East Sussex County Council as Highway Authority.  The Friends of Lewes say  “It is very disappointingthat an adequate solution has not been achieved in this time. However, the South Downs National Park Authority, as the planning authority say they will consider the preparation of a planning brief which would be based on retaining the existing building.

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Emma O’Connor is a Museums Officer for the Sussex Archaeological Society.

7.45pm Lecture Room, Lewes Town Hall. Open to all – admission £3 for non-members and wine in the interval

See the Diary page for a list of  forthcoming events organised by the Friends of Lewes.

We appreciate your feedback or suggestions regarding our events programme. Please use this form to convey your comments. You can also contact us by email if you have an enquiry.

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Previous Newsletters and Annual Reports

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Download FoL response [.doc, 25kB]

List of Friends of Lewes Society responses to consultations

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Download FoL response [.doc, 35kB]

List of Friends of Lewes Society responses to consultations

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Download FoL response [.doc, 42kB]

List of Friends of Lewes Society responses to consultations

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Debbie Matthews introduces one of Lewes’ more interesting residents and sets him and his work in the context of the town as he knew it.

7.45pm Lecture Room, Lewes Town Hall. Open to all – admission £2 for non-members and wine in the interval

See the Diary page for a list of  forthcoming events organised by the Friends of Lewes.

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In the run-up to the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Lewes, the Sussex Archaeological Society is delighted to present some of the country’s leading experts to review the significance of this often overlooked conflict.

Programme details are available on the SAS website.

The Society has considered how the redundant St Anne’s school site should be used in the future. In the first instance it considers that whatever uses are found for the site it is very important that the trees on it are retained as they provide a good landscape feature which, among other things, partially hides the ugly County Hall office blocks from some viewpoints.

The former Southover rectory building and possibly some of the older outbuildings merit retention and renovation and could be used as a school, which would be consistent with their previous use, a youth hostel or even converted into flats.

In the long term the western part of the site should be reserved for possible expansion of Lewes Cemetery, whilst the remainder could be used for housing, depending on whether the use found for the house allowed this, but any significant development should only be permitted if access to it was from St Anne’ Crescent. In addition the Society reserves its position on any proposed change until the details are known.

Any short term use should be consistent with these long term aspirations and not be allowed to influence what is decided for the latter. However the Society would have no objection to the demolition of the modern buildings in this interim period.

The Society looks forward to being kept in touch with the County Council’s intentions for this site and to have the opportunity of commenting on any detailed proposals that may arise.

Friends of Lewes Society

25 August 2011

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