Friends of Lewes Planning Committee Report 7 March 2023

Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 7 March 2023:

SDNP/23/00391/HOUS: 67 North Way: S73A retrospective application for erection of front porch, hip to gable roof extension with rear dormer and side gable, and addition of hardstanding to the front.
The Friends of Lewes note that amendments have been made to the original proposal but object to the retention of the gable and recommend that it be removed and the original hip roof reinstated. Indeed, the removal of the original hip and erection of the gable end and the resulting impact on the character and appearance of this semi-detached house and within the wider context was a significant reason for the Planning Inspector to dismiss the appeal of SDNP/21/02960/HOUS on the 09^th December 2022. In the opinion of the Society, the retention of the gable would set a precedent within the locality, which should not be encouraged. The Society also considers that the drainage arrangements on the extensive hardstanding to the front of the house to be totally inadequate on such a steeply sloping site and are very likely to contribute to surface water flooding in the locality. In addition, the Society are disappointed to see the minimal ecosystems provision proposed to offset the environmental impact.

SDNP/23/00579/HOUS: 51 Cluny Street. Conversion of garage to residential annexe.
The Friends of Lewes have no objection to this proposal provided that permission, if granted, be solely for ancillary use to the existing house. However, the Society is concerned that the proposed plan of the conversion provides no details of how the space is to be used or whether it would be connected internally with the existing house.

SDNP/23/00630/HOUS: 35 Cranedown. Removal of existing sun room and replacement of single storey rear extension, rear dormer, garage conversion, and addition of large garden store below rear terrace.
The Friends of Lewes note that the size of the proposed box dormer to the rear has been reduced and other amendments made to the fenestration, which are to be welcomed.

SDNP/22/05716/HOUS: 1 Delaware Road. Ground floor side and rear extension and front and rear dormers.
The Friends of Lewes object to the proposed large box dormer to the rear as it would not comply with the agreed design guidance for dormers and in addition would set a precedent as there are no similar dormers to the rear of any of the adjacent properties. The Society also notes the proposed use of UVPC throughout the works and would seek to encourage the use of more sustainable materials.

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

SDNP/00328/HOUS: 57 Highdown Road	Erection of two-storey side extension, single-storey rear extension , porch to front elevation, associated demolition of existing garage, porch, and conservatory, and installation of solar PV panels to front roof.
SDNP/23/00356/CND: 35 Newton Road	Variation of Condition 2 (Plans) and Removal or Rewording of Condition 3 (Matching Materials) related to Planning Approval SDNP/19/03681/HOUS to include changing external material of extension from Brick to Cedral Cladding.
SDNP/23/00451/HOUS: 41 South Street	Erection of single-storey rear extension, extension of existing rear dormer, and replacement of 4 sash windows to front elevation
SDNP/23/00467/HOUS: 81 Highdown Road	Erection of single-storey front/side extension, erection of single-storey rear extension, and associated demolition of rear conservatory.
SDNP/23/00493/LIS: 140 High Street	Retrospective application for internal glazed screen between library and hallway at ground floor.
SDNP/23/00503/LIS: 141 High Street	Internal alterations to ground floor WC.
SDNP/23/00521/FUL & 00522/LIS: 141 High Street	Creation of first floor to accommodate two additional classrooms within existing workshop, additional ground floor window, replace roof finish with slate roof with single feature rooflight.
SDNP/23/00529/HOUS: 18 Highdown Road	Erection of single-storey rear extension.
SDNP/23/00770/HOUS & 00771/LIS: 22 Lansdown Place	Replacement of timber windows to front and rear dormers.
SDNP/23/00218/HOUS: 21 De Montfort Road	Side/rear extension to lower ground floor with terrace to extension roof and demolition and rebuilding of existing rear extension.
SDNP/23/00822/LIS & 00535/HOUS: 204 High Street	Repaint window glazing bars and frames and two external doors on front elevation from white to Farrow and Ball shade Black Blue.
SDNP/23/00618/LIS: 4 St James Street	Various internal structural and remedial works, to include strengthening structurally weakened first-floor joists, insertion of thermal batts between joists and re-covering ceiling with wood fibre board & lime plaster; re-rendering kitchen walls in lime plaster; installation of solid oak floorboards over insulated studwork structure to kitchen floor; kitchen relocation; and reinstation and strengthening of studwork and plasterboard and insertion of thermal insulation to two first-floor bedrooms.