Author: EditorP

Swift-Friendly Town Season (Apr-May 2025)

From 23rd April 2025 to 31st May 2025 we will be celebrating the return of our Swifts through a season of events at Lewes Climate Hub, Lewes House, 32 High Street, Lewes.  All events are free of charge and no booking is required. Our aims are to raise awareness of Swifts and encourage further small actions that will help to boost biodiversity – and help Swifts and other wildlife to flourish! 

Throughout the season at the Hub there will be displays to explain what makes a Swift-friendly town and posters to show the contributions from groups and organisations that have given their support – and an activity so that you may share your contributions to helping our Swifts.

We are launching this season with a “pavement parade” from the Linklater Pavilion at the Railway Land to Lewes Climate Hub. We are inviting you to join us on the parade, perhaps carrying a placard to send a clear message to passers-by. Some suggested images for placards and instructions for making a simple flying Swift along with a poster of the events are below – and we’d love to see your own designs!

Saturday 26th April 
The Mayor of Lewes has agreed to lead a pavement procession to welcome back our Swifts. We will be starting at 10.30 a.m. at the LInklater Pavilion on the Railway Land and finishing at Lewes Climate Hub, 32 High Street. It would be wonderful if Friends of Lewes members could join in with logos or other placards of your choice.
At 1.30 p.m. Paul Stevens will give his talk: “A Summer with Swifts, Swallows and Martins”. 
Saturday 3rd May 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
As you know, one of the challenges to Swifts is the fall in the population of the insects and airborne invertebrates that they feed upon. Ponds are great for Insects, invertebrates and other wildlife”! 
At 1.30 p.m. Pete Birchall, (Pete the Pond), will talk about “The importance of ponds for wildlife”Inviati
Saturday 10th May 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
We are proud of being partners in the Lewes Mosaic Project with the Railway Land Wildlife Trust, Wildflower Lewes, Lewes Urban Arboretum, and Common Cause. Helen Meade, (Railway Land CEO), will share information about how you may add to Lewes Mosaic – which is an exact match for our Swift-friendly town!
Saturday 17th May 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Dylan Walker from Wilder Life will be presenting the Peoples’ Park for Nature idea of a wider connected mosaic of habitats for nature and people to enjoy..
Saturday 24th May  11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Lewes Urban Arboretum will share ideas for increasing biodiversity by adding small trees or hedges to our gardens. 
1.30 p.m. Talk by Emily Thrift – “Protecting our Hedgehogs: understanding the impact of plastic”
Saturday 31st May 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Buglife research suggests that the population of insects and invertebrates has fallen by 79% since 2004. Since parent Swifts need an estimated 20,000 insects a day when they are feeding chicks, this has the potential to be a huge factor in their decline. We are very pleased to be able to welcome an expert from Buglife to our season! 
1.30 p.m. Talk by Alice Parfitt of Buglife: “Why bugs matter”. 

https://e-voice.org.uk/lewesswiftsupporters/lewes-a-swift-friendly-town/

SWIFT-FRIENDLY TOWN EVENTS posterDownload
Flying Swift instructionsDownload

Tree Festival Week – 15th to 22nd June 2025

The Trees Committee of Friends of Lewes are organising guided tree walks during Tree Festival Week, 15th to 22nd June.

Southover Grange Gardens
Sunday 15th June  2.30 – 4.00 p.m.
Explore the gardens native and exotic trees including a venerable Mulberry and a magnificent Tulip tree.
Meet next to the café hatch in Southover Grange Gardens, Southover Road, BN7 1TL Book via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southover-grange-gardens-guided-tree-walk-tickets-1255969190659?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_source=email&utm_medium=sparkpost&utm_campaign=postpublish

Railway Land Nature Reserve

Tuesday 17th June 11.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Join us for a Nature Wander around this urban wildlife haven.
Meet at the Linklater Pavilion in the Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve, Railway Lane, BN7 2FG
Free – no need to book.
Nature Wanders take place every Tuesday 11.00 – 12.30
Just turn up!

Southover Grange Gardens
Sunday 22nd June  2.30 – 4.00 p.m.
Explore the gardens native and exotic trees including a venerable Mulberry and a magnificent Tulip tree.
Meet next to the café hatch in Southover Grange Gardens, Southover Road, BN7 1TL

Book via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southover-grange-gardens-guided-tree-walk-tickets-1256013884339?aff=oddtdtcreator

Friends of Lewes Planning Committee Report – 4th December 2024

Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 4th December 2024

01/11/24 to 28/11/24:

SDNP/24/04404/FUL: 99 Western Road. Alterations to and conversion of existing commercial building to 1 x 4 bedroom dwelling house and alterations to fenestration.

The Friends of Lewes object to this application as the loss of the existing commercial space at ground floor level would result in ‘dead frontage’ at this important location in Western Road, which is unlikely to ever be reinstated.

The Society would therefore like to suggest that both the ground floor and basement be retained for commercial use, with a separate access to enable the conversion of both the first and second floors for residential use.

SDNP/24/04066/FUL: Garage Compound The Lynchets. Demolition of garages and construction of 5 x dwellings.

Although the Friends of Lewes support this application in principle, because the initiative would add to Lewes’s housing stock and maximise the opportunity to provide much-needed affordable housing, the Society objects to the particular design solution proposed for the redevelopment of this site for the following reasons:-

(1) The use of modular components to assemble each dwelling limits the scope for providing a suitable design solution on this narrow site with a curving street frontage.

(2) The existing mature trees on the bank fronting the A26, abutting the western boundary of the site, are considered to be too close to the proposed dwelling units, which they would overshadow.

(3) It would be desirable to re-design the proposed dwellings with shallower plans in order to maximise the size of the rear gardens.

(4) The use of the “Volumetric Modular Construction” approach may not be able to provide a suitable design solution for this site.

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

SDNP/24/03958/LIS. 10 Southover High Street: Replacement of 5no windows and front door.  
SDNP/24/04417/HOUS. 7 Barn Hatch Close:Installation of Air Source Heat Pump (12Kw)   
SDNP/24/04428/FUL. 3 De La Warr Green:Single storey rear extension to ground floor 1-bed flat.
SDNP/24/04492/HOUS. 118 High Street:Reinstatement of previously removed ground to first floor secondary stair, internal partitioning to ground and first floor to facilitate, and partial insulation to existing potting shed/boot room. 
SDNP/24/04527/NMA. 36 The Course:Non-Material Amendment to Planning Approval SDNP/22/05288/HOUS to include increase to length of extension and changes to window and door arrangement on rear elevation.   
SDNP/24/04560/FUL & 04561/LIS. 4-6 The Bridge Wharf Brewery Cliffe High Street: Alteration to garage/workshop, moving electrical intake supply to first floor of garage workshop, formation of passage behind store for shop staff deliveries to car parking area. 
SDNP/24/04635/HOUS. 30 Prince Edwards Road:Removal of existing chimney stack, installing a new flue and fenestration alterations.   
SDNP/24/04639/HOUS. 1 Yarrow Road:Single storey side extension with wheelchair access.
SDNP/24/04660/FUL. Priory Place Flats Priory Street:Replacement of all windows to Priory Street Flats.
SDNP/24/04669/HOUS. 12 St James Street:Two storey rear extension and internal alterations. 
SDNP/24/04707/ NMA. 20 Malling Down:Non-Material Amendment to Planning Approval SDNP/20/03037/HOUS to include an increase in height and addition of small extension to roof canopy.   
SDNP/24/04711/HOUS. 134 High Street:Replacement render on part of rear elevation.  
SDNP/24/04715/HOUS. 26 South Way:Two storey front extension, rear ground floor extension to create veranda with fenestration alterations.
SDNP/24/04717/LIS. 37 Cliffe High Street:Re-painting of exterior with internal refurbishments including dropping of ceiling to install spot lights, and alterations to ancillary unit with erection of stud wall.   
SDNP/24/04795/FUL & 04796/LIS: 138 South Street:Installation of Roof-Mounted 2.25KW/p Solar PV Array onto domestic garage.   
SDNP/24/04836/NMA. 81 Highdown Road:Non-Material Amendment to Planning Approval SDNP/23/00467/HOUS – Alteration to line of front and rear walls of Utility room in side extension, addition of rear-facing window to Utility room and repositioning of side-facing window to rear Dining room extension.   
Membership

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) Partnership Management Plan for the Future

There are many people who play a role in looking after the National Park. The Partnership Management Plan (PMP)  is a key document that sets out the priorities for the South Downs National Park for the next five years and how we will work together to achieve this shared vision.

The world is facing both climate and nature crises at a time when people have never needed access to green space more. The South Downs National Park is already being impacted and needs an ambitious vision for the next five years to meet these crises and to deliver for nature, climate, people and place. This is your National Park, and we need your input to decide what the shared priorities for the next five years should be. Over the coming months there will be different opportunities to get involved.

Resources for Change are working with the SDNPA to ensure we hear from as many voices as possible but to do that we really need your support. We think that your views around what the National Park does next are critical and so please do sign up or encourage others to do the same and help create a plan for the future that works for nature and for everyone.

Please see the table of upcoming events below and a link to the SDNPA website were you can complete a short survey.

Phase 2: Priority outcomes and action planning – Everyone is welcome to attend events listed below.

DateTimeVenue
Wednesday 5th March 
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		7pm – 9pmONLINE
Thursday 6th March
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		10am – 3pmStroud Village Hall
Monday 10th March
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		10am – 3pmPulborough Village Hall
Tuesday 11th March
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		7pm – 9pmONLINE
Wednesday 12th March
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		7pm – 9pmONLINE
Friday 14th March
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE		10am – 3pmLinklater Pavilion, Lewes

Together for Nature, Climate and People – South Downs National Park Authority

Lewes Flood Exhibition – Call for exhibits

Do you have photographs or memorabilia of the Lewes Floods? Did you write a poem or paint any pictures? This October is the 25th Anniversary of the 2000 Lewes Floods when over 600 homes and 300 businesses were devastated, as following days of very heavy rain the river Ouse burst its banks and flooded large areas of Lewes.

The Friends of Lewes are organising an exhibition of flood memories and experiences, and we would like to hear from people who can loan photographs/ memorabilia etc. We would also like to audio record people’s memories of the time, and reflections 25 years on.

We are particularly interested to hear from any children or families who slept in the Town Hall or Malling Community Centre, and hear their memories and reflections 25 years on.

Harvey’s Brewery Yard 3pm 12th Oct 2000

Friends of Lewes Planning Committee Report – 6th November 2024

Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 6th November 2024

01/10/24 to 31/10/24:

SDNP/24/03471/FUL: Garage Compound Buckwell Court. Demolition of garages and erection of 2 x dwellings.

SDNP/24/03472/FUL: Garage Compound Waldshut Road. Demolition of garages and construction of 1no dwelling.  

SDNP/24/03582/FUL: Garage Compound Crisp Road. Demolition of garages and erection of 2 x dwellings. 

SDNP/24/03583/FUL: Garage Compound Kingsley Road. Demolition of garages and erection of 6 x dwellings.

SDNP/24/03585/FUL: Garage Compound Landport Road. Demolition of garages and erection of 9 x dwellings. 

SDNP/24/03586/FUL: Garage Compound Prince Charles Road. Demolition of garages and erection of 4 x dwellings.  

SDNP/24/03587/FUL: Garage Compound Queens Road. Demolition of garages and erection of 6 x dwellings.

The Friends of Lewes support all of the above applications in principle, both in design terms and because they would add to Lewes’s housing stock, especially if they maximise the opportunity to provide much-needed affordable housing.

SDNP/24/03950/HOUS:  26 Queens Road. Erection of front porch, extension of existing driveway and dropped kerb.

The Friends of Lewes object to this application. However the Society suggests that the entrance door would benefit from being repositioned on the front face of the proposed porch, (or a larger/deeper window), in order to allow the building to properly address the street (or, incorporating a larger/deeper window in place of the slit window). The proposal also needs to demonstrate how the soak-away works within the boundary of the property. 

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

SDNP/24/03738/FUL: 5 North Street. Change of use from part class E and part class C3, to class C3 only, including layout and external alterations, to provide a single dwelling house. 
SDNP/24/04085/HOUS: 6 The Course.Replacement windows to front and rear elevations.
SDNP/24/04034/FUL: Offices 1-4, 21 High Street. Conversion of first floor office accommodation (Class E) to 3no residential units (Class C3) (2no 2 Bedroom & 1no 1 Bedroom), including internal and external alterations.
SDNP/24/04228/HOUS: 47 Spences Lane.Erection of front entrance porch, conversion of integral garage into living accommodation and minor alterations.  
SDNP/24/04335/CND: Castle Cottage Castle Ditch Lane.Variation of Condition 2 (plans) to include changes to internal layout, external hopper and downpipe removed from rear elevation, relocation of entrance doors and glazed inset panels removed from entrance doors at ground and first floor levels. Also, removal of conditions 3e (i) (EV charge point), 3e (iv) (private garden compost bin) and 13 (installation of blackout blind system) related to Planning Approval
SDNP/21/06397/FUL.
SDNP/24/02447/HOUS: 29 The Avenue.29 The Avenue. Section 73a retrospective replacement of a chimney stack.
SDNP/24/03625/HOUS: 7 The Avenue.Erection of Victorian style aluminium greenhouse.
SDNP/24/03702/FUL: 111 High Street.Retrospective retention of car barrier.
SDNP/24/03812/HOUS: Priory Lodge, Southover High Street.Replacement of garage door adjoining a Grade II Listed Building.
SDNP/24/03844/FUL: The Malthouse Daveys Lane.Section 73a retrospective change of use from light industrial (Class E) to microbrewery and taproom (sui generis), addition of toilet block and canopy shelter.  
SDNP/24/04013/LDP: 17 Highdown Road.Alterations to dwelling to include reinstatement of original internal porch and new front door, alterations to side and rear facing windows and replacement of conservatory glazing.
SDNP/24/04086/HOUD: 45 South Way.Enlargement of existing rear extension and conversion of garage storeroom and erection of raised timber deck.
SDNP/24/04094/FUL: 179 High Street.Remove the existing rear roof terrace timber balustrading and lightwells, installation of new powder coated aluminium balustrading. Installation of new rear bollards, replacement rear decking.
SDNP/24/04126/HOUS: 21 Gundreda Road.Erection of green roof rear extension, internal renovations, replacement side entrance porch, removal of front conservatory and replacement with bay window and removal of chimney stack.
SDNP/24/04219/FUL: 16-22 Stansfield Road.Proposed replacement of doors/windows.
SDNP/24/04261/LIS: 7 New Road.Proposed rear lead clad dormer to facilitate a loft conversion and ground floor infill extension under existing first floor extension.
SDNP/24/04302/HOUS: 64 Highdown Road.Erection of single storey rear extension, conversion of garage, erection of porch and pergola.
SDNP/24/04394/LIS: 134 High Street.Replacement render on part of rear elevation.
Membership

Volunteer needed – Membership Secretary for The  Friends of Lewes ( Revised Feb 2025)

We need someone to be the Membership Secretary for the Friends of Lewes and to help the FoL with its mission to Keep Lewes Special. 

The Membership Secretary role helps by organising, informing and engaging the membership and plays an important function within the Membership Services Committee  (MSC) which in turn report to the FoL’s Executive Committee.

The role should take approximately 1-2  hours per week with training and ongoing support available and  would suit someone who is reasonably numerate and P.C / I.T literate. You will need to have  access to a P.C or Laptop and ideally a printer/scanner. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed (postage, stationary etc).

As an element of the role involves dealing with personal and financial information, you will need to be conversant with the FoL’s published privacy notice  regarding adherence to  the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018  and be mindful  of security (e.g. avoiding email scams etc).

The key elements of the role are:

Membership Payments

  • Process new membership subscriptions and current members  renewals via the easy-to-use online system Membermojo.
  • Handle a small number of renewal reminders and payments by hand.
  • Provide information on all the payments to the FoL’s Treasurer.
  • Respond to enquiries from members as appropriate.

Membership Levels

  • Provide numerical  information on the  membership to the FoL’s Executive Committee (monthly) and Membership Services Committee (quarterly).
  • Consider any trends and actions and advise the Committees accordingly.
  • Consider how to engage members, and to reflect their interests, feedback and needs.

Optionally, it could be possible to have more than one volunteer join the MSC and thus divide the tasks and reduce the time involved. Interested in arranging  a chat on a non-commitment  basis ?

Please get in touch with Diana Freestone via enquiries@friends-of-lewes.org.uk .

Download description here: https://friends-of-lewes.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/fol-mem-sec-role-feb-2025.pdf

Friends of Lewes Planning Committee Report – 2nd October 2024

Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 2nd October 2024

01/09/24 to 30/09/24:

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

SDNP/24/02389/LIS: 171-172 High Street. Re-painting of front facade to Wishbone White with the brand name painted in blue.
SDNP/24/03215/HOUS: 21 The Avenue.Replace all front windows
SDNP/24/03593/FUL & SDNP/24/03594/LIS: Flat 1, 2 St Swithuns Lane. Replacement railings to terrace.
SDNP/24/03635/HOUS: 14 Firle Crescent. Replacement single-storey rear extension, two-storey side extension to replace existing garage, replacement porch and roof to bay window and installation.
SDNP/24/03644/LIS: HMP Lewes, 1 Brighton Road.Upgrade works to 3no. cells to higher security category
SDNP/24/03655/HOUS: 9 Gundreda Road.Erection of 2 storey rear extension.
SDNP/24/03709/HOUS: 7 Willie Cottages, South Street. Single storey rear extension and a timber bike shed to the front.
SDNP/24/03721/HOUS:  20 Morris Road. Single storey rear extension, demolition of rear lobby, rear dormer in association with loft conversion, solar PV panels to rear extension roof slope and fenestration alterations.
SDNP/24/03739/LIS: 5 North Street. Conversion of shop with flat above into one single dwelling house.
SDNP/24/03878/FUL: Barber Court, St. Pancras Road:Replace all existing white framed double- glazed windows and all curtain wall glazing to the communal areas to be replaced.
SDNP/24/03796/HOUS: 27 St Anne’s Crescent:Erection of shed in front garden.
SDNP/24/03531/CND: 1 Hamsey Crescent:Variation of Condition 2 (plans) relating to Planning Approval SDNP/24/01895/HOUS to include new materials such as corteen steel dormer being hung with plain tiles and removal of render on first floor level.
Membership

Energy Efficiency and Retrofitting Listed Buildings and Older Buildings in Protected Settings. Zoom talk on Tuesday 18th February 2025 at 7.30pm – Alex Moojen

The presentation will address some of the primary issues and questions associated with retrofitting or upgrading listed buildings and older buildings sited in protected settings such as conservation areas:

What can owners do without listed building consent and/ or planning permission?

What are some of the acceptable materials and methodologies?

What permissions might be required?

Where to seek advice?

These are a just a few of the questions that often arise and that can sometimes overwhelm and create confusion with those seeking answers and guidance.

This is an extensive and sometimes complex issue, so the presentation aims to cover some of the more salient points within this topic, and address the more frequent enquiries that are received by the Local Planning Authority. The presentation will be around 30 mins with Q and As welcome afterwards.

Alex has been in post as Conservation Officer for Lewes and the surrounding area for over 2 years since graduating in 2022 from Kent Uni with an MSc in Architectural Conservation. He has relished his first job in conservation in Lewes. The diverse and extensive architectural landscape and the protected Lewes Conservation Area have given him the opportunity to work with a varied and wide array of buildings and applications – all of which have involved him in the challenges of improving energy efficiency and retrofitting older and historic building, both listed and not listed. 

Friends of Lewes Members free, Non members £4 (Via Ticket Source)

Lewes is now a Swift-friendly town!

In September 2024, Lewes Town Council formally approved a proposal from Lewes Swift Supporters to designate Lewes as a Swift-friendly town.

The aims of this initiative are: 

  • To spread the word about Swifts so that more people learn about these marvellous, red-listed birds.
  •  To encourage people to become “biodiversity champions” and take an action, however small, which will help to increase biodiversity across Lewes.

Swifts can be seen as an indicator of good biodiversity – where there is a rich mosaic of biodiverse habitats, there will be Swifts too! The population of Swifts has declined by 58% since 1995. They live in the air and depend on airborne insects and invertebrates for food, but Buglife research estimates that numbers of insects have fallen by 78% since 2004. 

Friends of Lewes have joined with other community groups to lend their support to this project. They have already given direct support through funding the purchase and installation of Swift boxes to expand existing colonies in De Montfort Road. One of these boxes was visited by Swifts in 2024. They also help by monitoring planning applications to safeguard existing nest sites. The trees and hedges planted by the Trees Committee provide food and habitat for a wide range of insects and invertebrates – in the evenings you may often see Swifts circling above trees to hunt for food. 

Find out more about how you may help Swifts:   https://e-voice.org.uk/lewesswiftsupporters/lewes-a-swift-friendly-town/