Friends of Lewes Planning Committee Report 3 November 2016

Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Thursday, 3^rd November 2016.

Representations made to planning applications in weekly lists as at 11, 18 & 25 October & 1 November

Week as at 18 October

SDNP/16/04465/HOUS: Section 73A retrospective application for the replacement of two bay windows. 40 De Montfort Road.
Friends of Lewes acknowledge that different styles of replacement windows have been installed historically in houses along De Montfort Road. However, this does not justify new installations of PVCu windows in the Conservation Area. The Society considers traditional timber sash windows should be required, in keeping with the principles of Core Policy 11 of the adopted Lewes District Local Plan Joint Core Strategy.

SDNP/16/04824/LIS: Replacement of two passenger lifts with two traction passenger lifts, replacement of lift entrance panelling and new landing control station incorporating the landing push button and digital lift position indicator. Lewes Railway Station Station Road.
Friends of Lewes have no objection in principle to the replacement of the two passenger lifts. However, the Design, Access and Heritage Statement makes reference to ‘new mesh panels will also be installed to enclose existing open platforms and ladders’. No drawings or elevations have been submitted with the application that show the mesh panels, which are needed to assess their impact on the listed building. The Society considers additional drawings are required to provide these details.

SDNP/16/04948/HOUS: Section 73A Retrospective application for the retention of a shed. Springfield Kingston Road.
Friends of Lewes have no objection in principle to the building that has been constructed. However, the materials currently visible are not sympathetic to the area and conditions should require that the shed is clad with appropriate materials within an agreed timescale.

Week as at 1 November

SDNP/16/05016/HOUS: Installation of rear flat roof dormer and conservation style roof light to front roof slope. 63 Valence Road.
Friends of Lewes object to the scale of the proposed rear dormer which is too wide and has a different height to those of neighbouring properties. In addition, the fenestration is unbalanced and the use of roofing felt is not supported in the Conservation Area, zinc or lead materials should be used. The Society considers the poor visual effect that will result is contrary to the aims of the National Park to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. It does not accept that similar existing dormers in neighbouring properties justify development proposals if they were constructed under permitted development rights and predate the designation of the National Park.

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

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