Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 1 November 2023:

SDNP/23/03888/HOUS: 62 Houndean Rise: Single storey rear/side extension.
The Friends of Lewes whilst supporting this application in principle, would like to suggest that should this application be considered for approval, that there should be a condition that the existing drive should be resurfaced with a fully permeable surface in order to reduce surface water run-off.

SDNP/23/03968/HOUS: St Annes Lodge Rotten Row: Two storey side extension with first floor balcony and glass balustrade and replacement of existing solar panels to dark PV panels to the front, associated internal alterations, alterations to fenestration at the rear, changes to external materials on all elevations and associated landscaping works.
The Friends of Lewes appreciate that the modifications to the existing house are likely to have little visual impact when viewed from Rotten Row. However, the Society is most concerned about the loss of trees and removal of earth along the Rotten Row frontage that is likely to have an adverse visual impact on Rotten Row. The Society would therefore recommend that the proposed widening of the driveway be reduced, in order to ensure that there is a sufficient amount of earth to enable any new vegetation to flourish.

SDNP/23/04280/HOUS: 31 Highdown Road: Resubmission of SDNP/23/02450/HOUS with small amendments – Two storey extension to side, single storey extension to rear, addition of dormers to side elevation, replacement 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 for the following reasons:-

(1) The provision of a dormer on the side elevation would have an adverse impact on both the front and rear elevations.

(2) The Society considers that the installation of four Velux rooflights on the rear elevation to be both unacceptable visually and contrary to the South Downs National Park’s “Dark Skies” policy.

(3) The proposed patio to the rear should incorporate a suitable permeable surfacing material and if possible, the inclusion of a ‘rain garden’ in order to reduce surface water run-off.

SDNP/23/04323/FUL: 38 Western Road: Loft conversion incorporating rear dormer and front rooflight, change to fenestration, internal alterations and associated works.
The Friends of Lewes welcome the proposed amendments to the previous scheme, (Ref: SDNP/23/03227/FUL), and in particular the cream colour of the proposed render to the front elevation. However, the Society would prefer the installation of ‘timber vertical sliding sash windows’ painted white in all of the windows, including the rear (south) and side (east) elevations, as the property is located with the Lewes Conservation Area.

SDNP/23/04329/HOUS: 50 Valence Road: Loft conversion and installation of 3no rooflights.
The Friends of Lewes object to the loss of the hipped roof on one half of a pair of semi-detached houses and the substitution of a gable end wall. The Society also objects to the proposed large box dormer to the rear of the building, which would be contrary to the agreed design advice on the provision of dormers.

SDNP/23/04058/FUL: 6 The Lynchets: Subdivision of property into two dwellings.
The Friends of Lewes object to the removal of the condition for “ancillary use only” and recommend that the building be retained as one dwelling. The Society is also concerned about the limited space available for parking in front of the dwelling, which would have to be increased should the property be divided into two dwellings.

SDNP/23/03749/LIS: 80B High Street: Removal and replacement where necessary of tiles to the front of the property, replacement of rusted tile fixings.
The Friends of Lewes fully support this proposal as it would ensure that this important façade on the south side of Lewes High Street would remain in good condition.

SDNP/23/04134/FUL: 176 High Street: Change of use of the rear section / ancillary space of the existing ground floor retail unit to create a studio apartment, separately accessed from the rear of the property.
The Friends of Lewes recognise that this proposal is to the rear of the existing property and as such will have a minimal impact on the street scene. However, the Society is concerned about the very limited size of the proposed studio apartment, the size of which will be further reduced when the necessary insulation measures have been installed.

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

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Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 6 September 2023:

SDNP/23/02551/HOUS: 1 Delaware Road: Ground floor side and rear extension and addition of rear dormer.
The Friends of Lewes object to the proposed large box design of the rear dormer, which does not comply with the agreed guidance on dormers. The Society also objected to the previous application which proposed a second large dormer to the front of the property. Although the Society appreciates that the amount of development proposed has been reduced, it still considers this application to be unacceptable.

(This response has not been submitted as the application was refused on the 06^th September). 

SDNP/23/02947/LIS: 50 High Street: Installation of 3 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.

(This response has not been submitted as the application was approved on the 07^th September).  

SDNP/23/02976/HOUS: 41, Abinger Place: Addition of dormer to rear and two rooflights to front elevation.
The Friends of Lewes object to the proposed rear dormer, as it does not comply with the agreed guidance on the design of dormers.

(This response has not been submitted as the application was approved on the 08^th September).   

SDNP/23/03050/FUL: 562B High Street: S73A retrospective application for replacement of three timber double-glazed windows to rear with UVPC double glazed windows.
The Friends of Lewes do not support the use of UVPC windows in the Conservation Area, but notes that in this case none of the windows can be viewed from the public realm and that they were installed five years ago. In these circumstances, the Society would like to suggest that should this application be supported that there should be a planning condition that wooden windows should be reinstated at the earliest opportunity.

(This response has not been submitted as the application has been approved). 

SDNP/23/03065/HOUS: 33 Mill Road: Erection of single storey outbuilding / annexe.
The Friends of Lewes have no objection to this proposal provided that its sole use is ancillary to the main building. 

SDNP/23/03175/HOUS: 18 Fitzjohns Road.
The Friends of Lewes object to the proposed large dormer to the rear, as it does not comply with the agreed guidance on the design of dormers. 

SDNP/23/03227/FUL: 38 Western Road: Change of use from take away and flat to single family dwelling house, loft conversion incorporating rear dormer and front rooflight, alterations to fenestration and internal changes.
The Friends of Lewes have no objection to residential use, but object to the use of UVPC windows in the Conservation Area and to the retention of the current bright green façade colour, which the Society considers unacceptable.

SDNP/23/03275/FUL: Garden Street Auction Rooms: Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 17no. residential units. (Response to follow, deadline is Friday 22^nd September).

SDNP/23/00526/OUT: North Street Industrial Estate: Phoenix Project:

(Response on the amended proposals for the Phoenix Project to follow, deadline is Sunday 01^st October).

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

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