The South Downs National Park Authority has published the South Downs Local Plan (Proposed Submission) for Regulation 19 (Publication) consultation.
This is the final consultation stage before the plan is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination by a Planning Inspector. This consultation stage differs from previous consultations on the new Local Plan, as the Planning Inspector will be interested in comments related to the Local Plan’s soundness and legal compliance.
Consultation period: 12th May to 23rd June 2026 (closing at 23:59)
Documents published:
The South Downs Local Plan – Proposed Submission (Regulation 19) May 2026
The Policies Map
Supporting evidence (including Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment) and background documents
Liphook Library, London Road, Liphook, Hampshire, GU30 7AN
Midhurst Library, The Grange, Bepton Road, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9HD
Petersfield Library, 27 The Square, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3HH
Petworth Library, High Street, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0AU
Steyning Library, Church Street, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3YB
If you are having trouble accessing the documents, or if you require the consultation documents in an alternative format, please contact the Planning Policy Team via email at planningpolicy@southdowns.gov.uk
Making representations – During this stage, comments should focus on:
Whether the Local Plan meets the legal requirements; and
Whether it is sound (positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy).
Representations must be submitted by Tuesday 23 June at 23:59 and cannot normally be accepted after this date.
Publicity – If you are able, please help promote the consultation by sharing this poster
Submitting comments online is the quickest and most efficient way to make a representation and helps us to process all representations promptly and effectively.
If you are unable to comment online, representations may alternatively be submitted using the Representation Questionnaire, and returned:
What happens next – Following the close of consultation, the Local Plan and all duly made representations will be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination by a Planning Inspector.
Data protection – Representations will be made publicly available as part of the examination process. For information on how we handle personal data, please see the website for our privacy notice.
Further information – Join a drop‑in event or online session to learn about the consultation and how to comment.
Drop‑in events:
Lewes Depot, Pinwell Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2JS Wednesday 20 May 4–7pm
Petersfield Festival Hall, Heath Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EA Thursday 21 May 4–7pm
If you have any questions about the consultation, please contact the Planning Policy Team at planningpolicy@southdowns.gov.uk or by telephone at 01730 814810.
In September 2025 a grant of £3,500 was given to The Baxter’s Field Company to help with the Restoration /Renovation of historic 120-year-old railings along 145m boundary Second Section Baxter’s Field.
The second section of the Railings restoration report.
All the panels in this section, 16 in number were removed on time in September 2025 and taken to Glynde Forge. All upright spears that could be restored were, old paint blasted off, re-powder coated, all laterals which were corroded/bent replaced in identical style. New out-rigger supports made to longer length to support the railings being replaced at their original height. The panels are now ready to be re-installed but the continuous rain has held up the excavation of the boundary between ESCC pavement and the bank. This work involves digging holes for the uprights & out-riggers and installing concrete edging. It will be completed as soon as the weather improves. The work could not have been commissioned without the Friends of Lewes contribution.
Baxter’s Field is open to the whole community – near neighbours including the residents of the Ousedale Estate close by who have no gardens and where there are many children of all ages, the wider Lewes residents, & visitors to the town.
Donations welcome to complete the remainder of the project: francessannwhittle@yahoo.co.uk
Minutes of a meeting held on Wednesday 04th March 2026, at 8.00 pm, at the Chapter House, Southover Church.
Present: Roger Maskew, (in the Chair), Will Dorman, Alex Durn, Andrew Winter, and (Julian Till as an observer).
(1) Apologies for Absence:- Apologies for absence were received from John Gower, Charles Meloy, Luke Bray and Carolyn Beckingham.
(2) Minutes of Previous Meeting:- The minutes of the meeting held on 04th February were approved.
(3) Executive Committee Meeting:- There was a meeting of the Committee on the 25th February.
Key items discussed:-
(a) Lewes Planning Group. Emily Clarke, the Mayor of Lewes, confirmed that this group had not been set up to run as a Town Council initiative, and suggested that the name of the group should be changed to Neighbourhood Plan or similar, to reflect what they were actually trying to achieve.
(b) Tim Slaney meeting regarding the Lewes Planning function moving to the SDNPA took place in the evening on the 09th February. Both Roger and Will had attended the meeting and Roger referred to the PowerPoint presentation outlining what will happen on the 01st April. Two key issues had been confirmed, the first identifying which LDC personnel will be transferring to the SDNPA, and the second that manned space will be taken at County Hall, which will enable easier interaction with other authorities departments, such as engineers.
(c) North Street Quarter. At the time of the meeting, (the 25th February), there had been rumours that Lewes District Council were intending to buy the site from Human Nature. This initiative was subsequently confirmed by the Council on the 27th February, which included the following quote:-
“Lewes District Council has completed the £9.5 million purchase of the North Street Quarter site in Lewes, marking one of the most significant strategic interventions in the town’s recent history”. Roger also referred to the very positive statement issued by Human Nature on the 02nd March, entitled “Getting the Phoenix Moving”.
(d) Lewes Urban Design Conference. The Urban Design Group are arranging a conference in Lewes on Friday 05th June, with presentations at the Depot in the morning, and site visits in the afternoon. Roger is to liaise with the organiser to discuss the arrangements in more detail.
(e) Roger also mentioned that both he and John Gower had brought to the Committee’s attention that the planning Committee had proposed that a FOL Policy on “Building within the Flood Plain” should be developed, which was enthusiastically supported by the Executive Committee.
(4) Planning Decisions from 01/02/2026 to 02/03/26:-
The following SDNPA decisions are available online:-
SDNP/25/03879/CND: 144 High Street: Variation of Condition 2 (Approved Plans) relating to approval SDNP/25/01145/FUL – Replace the windows to match the profiles, proposed fenestration and finish. Approved.
(5) New Planning Applications from 01/02/2026 to 02/03/2026:-
SDNP/25/04957/FUL: 36-38 Friars Walk: Internal refurbishment and conversion of vacant former NHS commercial office building (Use Class E) to provide 37 apartments (Use Class C3) including the infilling the undercroft on the ground floor.
The Friends of Lewes note the submission of an updated Site Plan, Sections and Ground Floor Plan, (dated the 11th February), but unfortunately the amendments fail to address the Society’s significant concerns relating to this proposal. As a result, the Society’s previous objection dated the 13th January 2026 still stands.
SDNP/25/04982/HOUS: 18 The Meadows: Erection of 2 storey side extension:
The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal, as the Society considers it to be an “incomplete application”, with inadequate information provided to enable the proposal to be fully accessed. Of particular concern is the proposed off street parking, which would not only be close to the existing house, but also at a higher level than the ground floor of the existing house and proposed extension. In this respect, a detailed section of the proposed car parking area in relation to the house is required, in order to be able to assess its visual impact within the overall street scene.
SDNP/26/00124/FUL & 00125/LIS: 1 Albion Street: Replacement of 8no. windows to front and side elevations:
The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal to replace these existing windows with a totally inappropriate alternative, which is considered unacceptable in this very significant listed building at the corner of Albion Street and School Hill, at an important location within the Lewes Conservation Area.
As such, the Society fully supports the recommendations of the Conservation and Design Officer, dated the 10th February 2026 that this application should be refused.
SDNF/26/00520/FUL: 3 Paddock Road: Erection of rear facing dormer, enlargement of existing front dormer, installation of metal gangway from first floor rear bedroom to garden and replacement windows and door to front elevation:
The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal, as the Society is not convinced that the proposal will be visually acceptable within the Lewes Conservation Area, for the following reasons:-
(1) The design and size of the proposed rear facing dormer would be contrary to the agreed SDNPA Design Guidance for the construction of dormers within existing pitched roofs.
(2) To be visually acceptable, the proposed rear facing dormer would need to be reduced in both height and width, in order for the dormer to appear as a separate entity within the existing rear roof slope.
(3) The Society considers that the use of GRP as a roofing surface on both front and rear facing dormers to be unacceptable at this location within the Lewes Conservation Area, which would be clearly visible from higher local vantage points.
(4) Furthermore, the use of “faux GRP rolls” on the front dormer, and the use of “white UPVC fascias” on the rear facing dormer are also considered to be unacceptable.
SDNP/26/00541/HOUS: 31 Prince Edwards Road: Erection of first floor extension over previously built ground floor extension.
The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal for the following reasons:-
(1) Although just outside the conservation area, this house occupies a prominent corner location, and the Society considers that the proposed first floor extension would have an adverse impact on the local street scene.
(2) Currently, the earlier ground floor extension is hidden from public view, but adding a first floor extension would effectively bring the house visually closer to the site boundary, which would make it clearly visible from the public realm.
(3) Furthermore, the Design and Access Statement confirms that “The new window will match the existing windows in terms of style and will also be UVPC”, which is considered to be unacceptable.
SDNP/26/00588/HOUS: 76 Winterbourne Close: Hip to Gable loft conversion with rear dormer and obscured window to side elevation:
The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal to remove the hipped roof from this semi-detached house, as the loss of the existing hipped roof would disturb the symmetry of this pair of houses, and would have a detrimental visual impact on the streetscape. Furthermore, the design and size of the rear dormer would be contrary to the agreed SDNPA Design Guidance for the construction of dormers within existing pitched roofs.
SDNP/26/00783/LIS: 9 Cliffe High Street: Retrospective replacement of shopfront sign (resubmission of SDNP/25/03083/LIS):
The Friends of Lewes fully support this retrospective replacement of the shopfront at this location within the Conservation Area. This alternative proposal is considered to be a significant improvement over the previous shopfront, which had been installed using very shiny bright red plastic panels, with inappropriate lettering.
The Committee examined the following applications and had no observations to make:
It continues to be a very wet winter. There are reports of over 50 days of continuous rain in parts of Cornwall, and provisional data shows that the South East of England has been noticeably wetter than the long-term winter averages. This is a trend consistent with wetter winters.
Whilst the town has escaped any serious flooding, the Brooks above and below Lewes have been full of standing water for many weeks at a time.
In response to our local situation, The Friends of Lewes are developing a Policy on development in the floodplain to guide our response to planning applications and local strategic plans.
(7) Any other business: None.
(8) Date of next meeting: – Wednesday 01st April at 8.00pm at the Chapter House.
Minutes of a meeting held on Wednesday 04th February 2026, at 8.00 pm, at the Chapter House, Southover Church.
Present: Roger Maskew, (in the Chair), Will Dorman, Luke Bray, John Gower, Charles Meloy, Andrew Winter and Carolyn Beckingham.
(1) Apologies for Absence:- An apology for absence received from Alex Durn.
(2) Minutes of Previous Meeting:- The minutes of the meeting held on 07th January were approved.
(3) Executive Committee Meeting:-
There was a meeting of the Executive Committee Meeting on the 28th January 2026.
Key items discussed:-
(a) Lewes Planning Group. A discussion over the membership and the objectives of the
group, which includes employing consultants, which they expect members of the group to
pay for. It was agreed that a representative of FOL would attend as an observer only.
(b) Tim Slaney meeting regarding the Lewes Planning function moving to the SDNPA. Roger and Will
to attend the 09th February evening meeting on behalf of the Friends.
(c) North Street Quarter & Bus Station. No movement, but a revised scheme for the
Wenban Smith site now delayed to the end of February.
(d) Coffee morning held on the 24th January was considered to be extremely successful.
However, it had become apparent that we needed to clarify the role of the FOL as a society
run by volunteers, which has no specific planning powers regarding the future of the town.
For example, we were asked “why don’t we buy the Bus Station”, and also misconceptions that planning decisions are made locally rather than by the SDNPA.
(4) Planning Decisions from 01/01/26 to 29/01/26:-
SDNP/25/00011/FUL: Tesco’s Supermarket, Brooks Road. Installation of Timpson pod with steps for access and 8 no. 1m high Flex bollards. Approved.
SDNP/24/02292/FUL: 64 High Street. Change of use of part of ground/lower ground and first and second floors to 4 residential units together with alterations to the roof to create a new third floor for a further residential unit. Alterations to side and rear elevations to replace windows and doors, various changes to rear parking area to create amenity space, parking and ancillary facilities. Approved.
(5) New Planning Applications from 01/01/26 to 29/01/26:-
SDNP/26/00062/CND: Land East of Malling Brooks Industrial Estate, Brooks Road: Variation to Condition 2 (Approved Plans) for SDNP/22/03451/ FUL – To update approved plans.
Although the Friends of Lewes appreciate that this proposal has already been approved, the Society would like to make the following suggestions to improve the accessibility of this site for local residents, as a means of improving its integration within the adjacent residential neighbourhood.
It is an opportunity to create better permeability through the site.
Pedestrian access from Spences Lane should be retained at all times.
The new path to meet the existing pathway in the north western part of the site is supported.
The new pedestrian access from the PROW into the site from the west is also supported.
A new public access from The Spinneys into the southern part of the site would create another route through the site for local residents.
SDNP/25/04946/HOUS: 199 High Street: Demolition of lower ground floor rear extension and replacement with two storey rear extension, rear dormer window, detached single storey garden room to the rear, changes to fenestration and various internal alterations – Amended description.
The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal for the following reasons:-
There is insufficient information to demonstrate that the proposed alterations at the rear of the property would be sympathetic to a Listed Building.
There is insufficient detail submitted to demonstrate that the proposals are indeed buildable, with the use of Corten Steel in the very slimline rear windows, although it is appreciated that this material has been extensively used on other projects for cladding purposes.
The Society is not convinced that the proposed “electric dimming glazing” would be compliant with the dark sky requirements, given the amount of glazing proposed, and especially as a result of the use of top lighting in the roof of the proposed extension.
The installation of three new wood burners in both the basement and in the ground floor would also be contrary to policy within the local “Air Quality Management Area”.
The Committee examined the following applications and had no observations to make:
January has been very wet with around twice the usual rainfall for the month. On 26 to 28th January, Storm Chandra brought serious flooding to Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Lewes has so far escaped flooding this winter, but Barcombe and Alfriston have had flooding impacting properties, roads and cars. Train services between Lewes and Eastbourne have been disrupted and there has been flooding of roads and low lying levels around Plumpton after the Bevan Stream overtopped. The River Ouse catchment is now fully saturated and Lewes might experience problems if the forecast wet conditions and rainfall continues.
Flooding at Alfriston 27 Jan 2026
Flooding at Barcombe 28 Jan 2026
John Gower provided some ‘flooding’ slides for the FoL Coffee Morning on 24 January and had some valuable conversations with visitors on the morning. He is also helping Lewes Town Council by reviewing their report on the Lewes Floods Conference and Public Meeting held on 31 Oct and 1 Nov. Juliet Oxborrow has been invited to present the final report and Resulting flood action plan at the Friends of Lewes AGM on 22nd April.
(7) Proposed development in the flood plain:-
Following some discussion, it was decided that John would prepare a draft of a formal policy for further discussion at this Committee, as a basis for forwarding a more detailed draft for consideration by the Executive Committee.
(8) Charging points for Electric Vehicles in Conservation Areas:-
John presented a number of current options for providing charging for drivers unable to have the benefit of off street parking. The committee were concerned about the likely visual impact within a sensitive townscape, but agreed to maintain a “watching brief” on any future options for addressing this issue.
(9) Any other business:- None.
(10) Date of next meeting: – Wednesday 04th March 2026, at 8.00pm in the Chapter House.
These “Minutes or Update”, relate to the meeting that had been planned for Wednesday 03rd December 2025, at 8.00 pm at the Chapter House, Southover Church. Roger Maskew, (Chair), in consultation with Will Dorman, decided to cancel the meeting for a combination of reasons, which included sickness, non-availability and the lack of any significant planning applications to be put on the agenda for discussion.
(1) Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on the 12th November will now be approved at the next meeting of the committee to be held on Wednesday the 07th January 2026.
On Saturday 13th June the Lewes Tree Festival starts with a launch event from 11:00 to 15:00 at the Lewes Climate Hub with an exhibition from Lewes Urban Arboretum. Refreshments will be available.
The Lewes Urban Arboretum team has organised four guided walks in June to celebrate our trees and our status as an Arboretum Town – one of only two in the country! All the walks will be led by local arboriculturalists who are members of our Trees Committee. The walks are free but donations are always welcome to fund our tree-planting projects.
John Stenhouse (formerly Steinhaeuser) was the medical officer in Lewes and founded the sanatorium in 1905. He conducted valuable work in child mortality rates and specifically deaths from tuberculosis. Additionally he served in World War I with the Sussex Yeomanry as a Surgeon-Captain and was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.
His plaque has gone up on the house he lived in on St Andrews Lane.
Click on the Lewes Town Council Facebook link below to see the full post
Click on the Lewes Historical Plaques link below to see the full Friends of Lewes website section on Historical Plaques which includes a link to a document containing all of the Plaques in Lewes.
Members (and potential members) met for coffee and cake on Saturday 24th January in Southover Church Hall. Members of the Planning and the Trees Committees, as well as other Friends of Lewes committee members where on hand for a chat and visitors where able to watch a presentation of Friends of Lewes activities and achievements. Books, prints, and tea-towels were also on sale.
This is a non-profit web site and newsletter promoting sustainable transport (trains, buses, cycling and walking) in Lewes and the surrounding world. Included are the latest news about changes in bus and train services, hot tips on how to get the cheapest tickets, information about cycle routes and advice on buying a bike, as well as many walks you can do near Lewes using public transport. You can also read about local history, especially about roads, paths and rights of way. You can visit the web site at www.travelloglewes.co.uk
Executive Committee:- There was a meeting of the Executive Committee on Wednesday 26th November 2025.
Relevant items discussed:-
Planning Committee: Despite our objection to the proposed redevelopment of the annexe to the rear of the White Hart Hotel. (Ref: SDNP/25/00496/FUL), the application was approved by the SDNPA’s Planning Committee.
Planning in Lewes. Without any prior consultation, the SDNPA has announced that the Contract with Lewes District Council to assess minor planning applications in Lewes will NOT BE RENEWED when the current contact ends on the 31st March 2026. On the 08th December, a letter was sent to Sion McGeever, (the CEO of the South Downs National Park), expressing the Society’s dissatisfaction at the way Planning in Lewes is being handled by the park authority.
Decisions: From 11/11/25 to 27/11/25:
The following SNPA decisions were available online:
SDNP/25/02763/FUL: Southdown Sports Club, Cockshut Road: Creation of 2no padel courts and the re-siting of 2no tennis courts together with floodlighting. Approved.
SDNP/25/02990/HOUS: 9 Caburn Crescent: Hip-to-cable roof extension with rear dormer and loft conversion (Amended Plans). Approved.
SDNP/25/03228/HOUS: Fairlight, Cuilfail: Conversion from 3no bed bungalow to 5no bed house with erection of new storey. Approved.
New Planning Applications:
The Committee examined the following applications and had no observations to make:
SDNP/25/02917/FUL: 17 Tanners Brook:
Installation of solar panels to rear roof of property.
SDNP/25/04113/HOUS: 43 New Road:
Roof lights to front rear slope with a rear dormer.
SDNP/25/04402/HOUS: 132 South Street:
Replacement of existing white upvc windows and rear doors with black aluminium framed doors and windows, and erection of clay tiled roof canopy along the rear elevation.
