Friends of Lewes Planning Committee Report 4 August 2016, including representations made following the Executive Committee meeting of 24 August 2016

Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Executive Committee held on Wednesday 24^th August 2016.

SDNP/16/03589/FUL: 68 – 74 Malling Street. Demolition of existing buildings and erection of seven residential units (class C3) and 1 office unit (class B1).
The Society in its representation of 8^th August has already objected to this planning application. It would, however, like to add further reasons for this objection.  These are that the development, and in particular its yellow façade, will detract from the views of Lewes from the hills to the east contrary to the first national park purpose, and that the development is too close to its neighbours in both Thomas Street and Southdown Place.  In addition any traffic from the development should be routed through Davey’s Lane rather than directly on to Malling Street. The Society would be happy to discuss with the developer how the plans could be amended to accommodate its objections.

Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Thursday, 4^th August 2016.

Weekly lists as at 12, 19 & 26 July & 2 August

Week as at 19 July

SDNP/16/03483/HOUS: 18 Garden Street. Enlargement of loft dormer window at rear.
Friends of Lewes object to the proposed dormer with Juliette balcony which is too large and will result in an overlarge box dormer on a small terrace house.

SDNP/16/03502/ADV: 1 Station Street. Replacement fascia sign and new projecting sign.
Friends of Lewes commend this application which demonstrates how the use of traditional materials and signwriting can maintain and enhance the Conservation Area.

Week as at 26 July

SDNP/16/03111/HOUS: 1 Friars Mews, Pinwell Road. Replacement timber door, windows, soffits and fascias with UPVC.
Although this is a modern end of terrace comprising houses of similar design; the group has integrity because it has been designed as a whole and through the use of consistent design motifs and materials. All the neighbouring houses have timber windows and the proposed use of uPVC windows will be discordant and inappropriate in the Conservation Area. The proposed sections are almost 100mmm wide, much more than the timber sections they are intended to replace. Friends of Lewes therefore object to this application.

Week as at 2 August

SDNP/16/03577/HOUS: 73 De Monfort Road. Replacement of timber door with grp composite door.
Friends of Lewes object to the proposed use of a GRP composite door in the Conservation Area; traditional wooden doors should be used.

SDNP/16/03589/FUL: 68 – 74 Malling Street. Demolition of existing buildings and erection of seven residential units (class C3) and 1 office unit (class B1).
Friends of Lewes support the principle of redeveloping this brownfield site to provide much needed residential housing in Lewes and do not object to the density and scale of the proposal. The proposed design is unashamedly modern and has the potential to be a very interesting improvement to the existing Malling Street frontage, subject to careful detailing and good workmanship. Although the design makes little effort to imitate its neighbours it has its own consistency and addresses the considerable challenges of a tight urban site with skill and ingenuity.  However, the Malling Street elevations are out of keeping with the existing streetscape and whilst the Society is not suggesting that the Georgian/Victorian scale and detail should be recreated, the windows are too large for this prominent site at the eastern gateway to the town. The Society therefore objects to the current proposal.

The Committee examined the following applications and had no observations to make:

–