Public consultation launched for Lewes Conservation Area

The public consultation period has been extended to 12 noon on 8 August 2023

The Lewes Conservation Area is under the spotlight as part of a public consultation being launched by the South Downs National Park Authority.

The Conservation Area, which covers most of the central part of the town, has been in existence for many years and predates the creation of the National Park in 2010. Conservation Areas have been identified as having high historic or architectural interest.

The National Park Authority’s consultation will be reviewing the Lewes Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) and the Article 4 Direction for Lewes Conservation Area. Article 4 Direction restricts the scope of permitted development rights on properties or land and offers additional protection to the townscape.

The SDNPA wants to ensure that the factors that contribute to Lewes’ special interest are correctly identified and accurate; that key events within Lewes’ historic development are correctly referenced and that that the assessment of the towns general character as a whole are accurate, as well as the individual distinctive character areas. The document also seeks to identify the key issues to change. In outline these are seen as building maintenance, shopfronts and advertising, open spaces, climate change, traffic and new development. They are keen to know if these are correct or whether there are others.

The public consultation will take place between 30 May and 11 July 2023 (extended to 12 noon on 8 August 2023) and includes an online survey.

Members of the Authority’s planning team will be available to answer any queries relating to the CAAMP and Article 4 Direction at two public drop-in sessions to be held at Lewes Library: