Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 1 May 2024
Week 04 April to 24 April 2024
SDNP/24/00729/FUL: 4 Bear Yard: Partial demolition of existing storage building, conversion of existing ground floor and construction of a new first floor with pitched roof to form a self- contained accommodation unit:
The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal for the following reasons:-
(1) That the proposal is located within a flood zone close to the River Ouse.
(2) The proposal is considered to be both poor design and of mean proportions, offering very cramped areas of accommodation.
(3) There is no outdoor amenity space, no readily accessible storage for a bicycle and apparently nowhere to store refuse and recycling bins without leaving them on the public highway.
(4) The Society is also concerned about the potential noise from the shared wall with the John Harvey Tavern.
SDNP/24/00843/FUL: Pannetts Building Railway Lane: Extensions and alterations to provide retail use at ground floor and part of first floor and conversion of other areas to provide 1x 3 bed flat, 5x 2 bed flats and 1x duplex flat with external terrace and alteration to the existing roof, (2x units to be affordable):
The Friends of Lewes objected to the previous planning application, Ref: SDNP/23/02568/FUL, which was refused. Regrettably, many of the Society’s previous concerns have not been addressed in this revised planning application and consequently the Friends of Lewes object to this application for the following reasons:-
(1) Although the Society welcomes the retention of commercial uses on the ground floor and on part of the first floor, there is inadequate storage space for bicycles, rubbish bins and recycling bins for any of the future occupants of the flats.
(2) The location of the additional tower structure to accommodate the proposed lift is considered to be too close to the adjacent Vipers Wharf and would have an adverse impact on a number of windows in the north elevation of Vipers Wharf, and should therefore not be supported.
(3) As a result, the Society strongly recommends that any lift should be suitably located within the existing structure of the Pannetts building, in order to enable it to provide a service to all floors.
(4) The proposed significant increase in height in order to accommodate the new duplex flat on the forth floor is considered to be unacceptable as it would result in a significant change to the profile of The existing building and in addition the roof terrace facing the river would also have an adverse visual impact on the roofline of this east elevation facing the River Ouse.
SDNP/24/00899/FUL: 14 Gundreda Road: Erection of 5 bedroom detached dwelling with new vehicle crossover:
The Friends of Lewes, whilst supporting this application, have some concerns regarding the street view with regard to the proposed ‘blank’ window at first floor and urge the applicant to install a fully glazed window on the elevation fronting the Gundreda Road. In this context, the Society appreciates that this amendment would require minor alteration to the internal layout at first floor but considers that such an amendment would be a significant improvement.
SDNP/24/01127/HOUS: 59 Grange Road: Replacement single storey side/front extension; two storey extension and single storey first floor front extension with veranda at first floor; alterations to external cladding; raised terrace to front elevation; extension of access steps to front and addition of access steps to rear garden; alteration to existing fenestrations at all elevations:
The Friends of Lewes object to this application, as the Society considers this proposal to be disappointing, lacking in detail and as such is regarded as a missed opportunity to convert the existing house into a successful contemporary home. Furthermore, the poor drawings, at a small scale, make it difficult to assess the visual impact of the proposals.
SDNP/24/01435/HOUS: 13 Garden Street: Replacement of all timber windows to front of Property:
The Friends of Lewes support the principle of installing double glazed timber windows, but strongly recommend the use of traditional joinery windows to match adjacent properties, rather than the profiles proposed by Anglian windows.
SDNP/24/01301/FUL: Priory School, Mountfield Road: Installation of perimeter security fencing to front elevation inclusive of 2no automated steel gates and 1no steel pedestrian side access gate:
The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal, as the Society considers both the proposed gates and perimeter fencing to be visually unacceptable. Indeed, the Society questions whether this initiative by the Priory School will result in annoying both local residents and users of the leisure centre and running track, who currently benefit from being able to make use of the school car park outside of school hours and especially at the weekends and during school holidays.
SDNP/24/01498/HOUS: 16 Hawkenbury Way: Rear dormer and addition of window to the side:
The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal as the design of the rear dormer does not comply with the agreed ‘Design Principles’ for dormers in existing roofs.
SDNP/24/01510/HOUS: 30 Fitzjohns Road: Erection of replacement rear extension, garage conversion and extension to loft and hip to gable conversions:
The Friends of Lewes object to the principle of losing the existing hipped roof and its replacement with a gable, as it is considered to be visually detrimental in an area dominated by hipped semi-detached houses. In addition, the design of the rear dormer does not comply with the agreed ‘Design Principles’ for dormers in existing roofs.
The Committee examined the following applications and had no observations to make:
SDNP/24/01429/CND: 38 Western Road. | Variation of condition 2 related to Planning Approval SDNP/23/04323/FUL to include amendments to loft such as installation of shower and rear roof light. |
| SDNP/24/01372/HOUS: 1A Offham Road. | Part section 73A retrospective application for raised rear decking, and application for erection of rear access steps to decking. |
| SDNP/24/01583/HOUS: 1 Priory Row, Priory Street. | Replace timber front door and surround. |
| SDNP/24/01362/HOUS & 01363/LIS: 212 High Street. | Reconstruction of existing chimney stack. |
| SDNP/24/01331/HOUS: 50 Valence Road. | Part single storey part two storey side extension. |
Friends of Lewes 