The Friends of Lewes

Friends of Lewes Newsletter – Spring 2012

qsfe8 — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:24:56 +0000

The Spring 2012 Newsletter is now available as a PDF file [324kB]

Friends of Lewes and OctoberFeast Tree Surveys

qsfe8 — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:20:26 +0000

The Friends of Lewes and OctoberFeast have brought two ideas together into one exciting project to map and to plant more trees in Lewes. The aim is to improve our natural environment.

On the Tree Surveys page there are two survey forms that support this project. You can help us by filling these out. Thank you in advance.

Friends of Lewes Projects – a new web page

qsfe8 — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:06:31 +0000

The Society carries out projects which help achieve our aims to maintain, preserve and enhance the Lewes townscape. A new web page has been created to list these on-going projects:

Friends of Lewes Projects

The Santon Group and the Lewes Phoenix/North Street Quarter

qsfe8 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:32:51 +0000

Private developers, The Santon Group, recently acquired the Phoenix Estate site in North Street, Lewes, from the administrators of previous owners Angel Property Ltd. This opens the way for radical development of the prime riverside site, now named The North Street Quarter. Sussex Express 4 March 2012

The Friends of Lewes Society is in touch with the Santon group about their proposals to develop the site, and will post more details in due course.

Society objects to plans for South Street house

qsfe8 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:48:12 +0000

The following letter was sent by The Friends of Lewes to Lewes District Council on 23 February 2012 regarding an application to build a two-storey house in a striking and contemporary design at the end of South Street, Lewes. The site is in a prominent position, adjacent to Grade II Listed Wharf House – traditionally the “gateway to Lewes”.

The application would incorporate CorTen steel on the first floor which would weather to a red/ochre colour – the idea being to reflect the past industrial heritage of the area. Photo

To: PlanningLewes DC
Subject: LW/12/0037/NP South Street, Lewes

The Friends of Lewes object to this planning application. Whilst we realise that LDC have previously given permission, contrary to our views, for a dwelling on this site, we consider that the current proposal directly conflicts with purpose 1 of the National Park Authority in that it does not enhance this gateway location when entering Lewes on the northbound A 26. In addition the mass, height and outline of the building is incompatible with the location whilst we consider the use of CorTen steel alien to it. We do not object to the demolition of the existing shed and believe that a more appropriate design could be found for a replacement building on the site.

Robert Cheesman

[Appendix- On 28 March 2012, the Lewes District Council Planning Committee unanimously rejected this application despite a recommendation for approval.]

Friends of Lewes – Annual Report 2011

qsfe8 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:19:37 +0000

The Annual Report for 2011 is now available as a PDF file [503kB]

Previous Newsletters and Annual Reports

Canon O’Donnell Hall, Western Road, Lewes

qsfe8 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:56:34 +0000

Originally used as a hall by firstly the local C of E church and more recently by the Catholic church it has hosted many community functions down the years, there are few Lewes children who will not have gone there at some point.

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.

Friends of Lewes Annual General Meeting, Thursday 29 March 2012

qsfe8 — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:14:29 +0000

Following the AGM business, there will be a speaker from OVESCo, the Lewes renewable energy firm. Speaker’s topic.

7.45pm Lecture Room, Lewes Town Hall.

This event is for Friends of Lewes members only.

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

Friends of Lewes Newsletter – Autumn 2011

qsfe8 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:31:27 +0000

The Autumn 2011 Newsletter is now available as a PDF file [480kB]

Previous Newsletters and Annual Reports

Friends of Lewes Lecture, Thursday 8 March 2012

qsfe8 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:59:22 +0000

Emma O’Connor: New Light on Historic Lewes: Images from the Archive of Sussex Past.

Emma O’Connor is a Museums Officer for the Sussex Archaeological Society. Many of the images have not been shown in public before. They come from the Society’s major collection of prints, watercolours and photographs, including an important set from an early recording project that documented the changing scene around 1900.

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.