Friends of Lewes Planning Committee Report 1 August 2023

Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday 1 August 2023:

SDNP/23/02127/HOUS: 50A North Way: S73a retrospective application for the erection of outbuilding to front.
The Friends of Lewes are concerned about the possibly proliferation of small structures and storage facilities within gardens to the front of properties, that could have an adverse impact on the street scene. However, the Society appreciates that in this case the existing building for cycle storage is currently hidden from view by a substantial established hedge. The Society would therefore like to suggest that if this retrospective application is approved, that a planning condition is required in order to ensure that the existing hedge is retained in order to continue to screen the structure.

SDNP/23/02450/HOUS: 31 Highdown Road: Two-storey extension to side, single-storey extension to rear, addition of dormers to rear and side elevation, replacement of porch to front elevation, alterations to fenestration throughout, addition of solar panels to front roof, and air source heat pump to rear.
The Friends of Lewes object to this application as the proposed side and rear extensions would both inappropriately overwhelm the original building and unbalance the symmetry of the semi-detached grouping with 29 Highdown Road. Furthermore, the Society considers that the rear dormer is too large and does not comply with the agreed guidance on dormers. Indeed, the visual impact of this proposal would be further exacerbated as it would be clearly visible from the footpath behind the property and within the wider landscape context to the north.

SDNP/23/02685/LIS: 127 High Street: Replacement of cladding to front and sides with handmade clay tiles and replacement of cladding to the rear with handmade clay tiles and unpainted feathered wooden cladding.
The Friends of Lewes support the replacement of the existing timber cladding with handmade clay tiles to the front elevation of this listed building. However, with regard to the side (west) elevation, the Society would like to suggest that the replacement of the existing timber cladding with handmade clay tiles be limited to the listed building, and not be continued along the extensive boundary wall, where it might be more appropriate to retain the existing timber cladding as a contrasting material.

SDNP/23/02873/FUL: Land opposite 40 Nevill Road: Installation of 18m high 5g telecom pole, along with associated equipment cabinet.
The Friends of Lewes object to the installation of such a high pole at this location, which would be too prominent opposite the entrance to the Nevill housing estate. The Society would recommend that the applicant considers alternative locations for the erection of this 18m high 5g telecom pole, ideally at a more remote site.

SDNP/23/02993/ADV: 50 High Street: Installation of 3no. non-illuminated advertisements.
The Friends of Lewes object to the proposed sign on the east elevation in Station Street, as the materials proposed are contrary to the traditional sign written panels used throughout Station Street. The Society has no comment to make on the two signs in the High Street detailed in this application.

SDNP/23/02973/FUL: Former Bus Station Eastgate Street: Demolition of existing buildings and construction of mixed use development comprising 3 houses (Class C3), 32 self-contained flats (Class C3) and 198m2 of ground floor commercial space (Class E), with associated access alterations, landscaping and parking.
Friends of Lewes response to the revised application on the former Lewes Bus Station, 15 August 2023 [pdf 146kb]

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

SDNP/23/02534/HOUS: 22A Priory Street	Replacement of timber front door.
SDNP/23/02680/HOUS: 16 St Johns Terrace	Repair including application of bonding agent and mortar, sand and cement mix. Repainting of front facade.
SDNP/23/02683/LIS: 2 St Pancras Road	Replacement of existing single glazing to four windows on front elevation with new slimline double-glazed units in existing window frames.
SDNP/23/02937/FUL & 02938/LIS: 10-11 Ground Floor Flat, Priory Crescent	Non-structural alteration to rear elevation to revert existing French doors back to window opening.
SDNP/23/03147/PNTEL: Pinwell Road Car Park, Pinwell Road	Increase the height of wires crossing the car park and replacement of the existing telephone pole.