The public consultation period for these revised plans began on 20 December, and runs until 22 January 2024.

A decision on the planning application was deferred at the South Downs National Park Authority’s Planning Committee meeting in October 2023. The amended plans include additional information to address issues raised at this meeting, including around highways and design. The application should go back to the South Downs National Park Authority’s Planning Committee in February 2024.

Read more at Sussex Express

The revised plans are on the SDNPA website, where the public is encouraged to add their comments.

Lewes Phoenix, image: Google Maps

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A Zoom Webinar

Arthur Redmonds: Exploring the Medieval History and Archaeology of Lewes Castle

The January Lewes History Group talk will look at the medieval history and archaeology of Lewes Castle in a range of contexts to explore its relationship with Lewes, and the surrounding Sussex countryside. The talk will also explore how it might have impacted and influenced the everyday lives of people around it.

As part of a PhD at the Universities of Exeter and Cardiff, Arthur Redmonds has been exploring how the medieval castle influenced those who experienced them within their localities and landscapes. Lewes is one of his urban case studies, and it plays a central role in the history and making of modern day Lewes. The talk will explore the impact of the castle on everyday life in the town, and Redmonds will briefly touch on some of the many sources and methods we might use to look at the medieval castle.

This talk will start with a brief look at how medieval castles operated, who worked within their lands and the types of sites and landscapes we might associate with them, before contextualising Lewes within the story of other castles both within Sussex and nationally.

Next, we will explore a biography of the castle, with the influence on the town and countryside explored at each stage of its life. This will include its construction, occupation, and finally its decline and partial abandonment. Along the way, we will briefly touch on some of the more important historical events in which the castle played a part, including its role in the 1264 battle of Lewes and its assault by peasants during the 1381 peasants revolt.

The Barbican at Lewes Castle, Photochrome Company postcard

To join this talk, you need to:

1) register your intention to attend in advance
2) receive LHG’s confirmation email with a link to the talk itself. Save that email, and
3) click on that emailed link to attend the talk 5 minutes before it starts

Lewes History Group Members can attend our talks for free. We will send members emails with a link to Zoom registration. Then please follow steps 1, 2, and 3 as above. 

Non-members can buy a ticket (£4) from TicketSource. The ticket will provide a link to Zoom registration. Then please follow steps 1, 2, and 3 as above.

Please join the webinar at 7:25pm.

We would recommend a computer screen or an iPad as a minimum screen-size for viewing our webinars.

Our presenters will be speaking live, and you can ask questions by typing in the Q&A box in Zoom.

See the Talks page for a list of  forthcoming monthly events organised by the Lewes History Group.

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On Saturday 16th December, members of the Trees Committee planted seven trees beside Offham Road, near where the magnificent old Beech tree had to be felled. There are three Ulmus Lutece, (Elms), two Acer campestre, (Field Maple), and two Crataegus persimilis prunifolia, (Cockspurthorn). Thank you to East Sussex County Council for giving us planting permission. These trees are planted in memory of Paul Fouch and were sponsored by his family and friends.

Then, on 19th December, the Trees Committee met on at Brighton Road to plant five trees on the verge near the Hope in the Valley bus stop. The trees are three Ulmus Lutece, (Elms), and two Crataegus persimilis prunifolia, (Cockspurthorn).

Thank you again to East Sussex County Council for the planting permission. Thanks also to Trees Committee member Matthew of Bonny’s Wood for kindly sending a team to set up the barriers, lending their truck to bring the trees to the site, and then staying to help us to plant them.

Over November and December 2023 we have planted 51 trees altogether which brings the total number of street trees we have planted around Lewes since 2014 to 222.

Offham Road, and Brighton Road planting, December 2023

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The Friends of Lewes Winter 2023 Newsletter is now available as a pdf [1.4mb]

Lewes Christmas Shops, by Nick Robinson

Friends of Lewes Newsletters and Annual Reports

Become a Friend of Lewes

Another wet but enjoyable day for our fourth working party this season – in Ham Lane. We planted five Alnus glutinosa, (native Alders), and five Populus nigra, (Black Poplars), between the Scout Hut and the Cockshut.

At the same time, the 6th Lewes Beavers and Scouts were busy doing a great job of weeding and mulching their wildlife hedge of mixed native whips. Thank you very much to their parents and troop leaders for helping us to carry the trees and the mulch to where they were needed – and then sharing their soup with us!

Thanks again to Lewes District Council for the planting permission and to Matthew for all his patient work in CAT scanning each site.

Today’s team was Nick, Peter, Chris, Jill, Keith, Duncan, Jamie and Audrey. Well done everyone!

Tree planting at Ham Lane, 9 December 2023: team photo, and Audrey with the 200th tree, a Poplar

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Free Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for Nevill residents: part of the residential flood solution for Lewes

Do you live on the Nevill estate? We are offering a free SuDs rain-planter (complete with soil and ready to plant) to Nevill households who’d like to be part of a new project to sustainably manage heavy rainfall in order to reduce surface water flooding in Lewes. The ‘Storing the Storm’ project is run by the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust, with support from Friends of Lewes, and funded by Lewes District Council. It aims to slow the flow of water entering the surface drains by capturing and storing rainfall.

The SuDS storm-planters on offer will be similar to the one shown above.

A quick guide to Sustainable Drainage Systems

The aim of Sustainable urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) is to manage rainfall close to where it falls, by allowing it to soak into the ground via vegetation, slowing the flow of surface water into the drainage system to lessen the risk of drainage and sewer flooding.

Rain-planters are one of the most inexpensive forms of SuDS. Also known as storm-planters or raingardens, these lined boxes are connected to a downpipe to receive and store rainwater from the roof. The planter is filled with layers of soil, sand and gravel which help to store the water and release it slowly through a perforated pipe in the planter base. This water can go back into the drain or simply infiltrate the ground, depending on where the planter is located.

Storm-planters can be safely sited by buildings, garages or sheds and come with many benefits – adding lush vegetation and colour to drives and patios, providing space for pollinators, plus you’ll be contributing to climate adaptation.

The 6 wonders of storm-planters

1. Water collection: SuDS rain-planters have their impact right at the start of the rainwater journey. Positioned to collect water from a downpipe they capture rainfall that might otherwise run across hard surfaces like roads and pavements, collecting pollutants and overwhelming the drainage system.
2. Filtration: As rainfall enters a rain-planter it passes through a layer of plant roots, soil and sand where pollutants are filtered out, so the water leaving the planter is cleaner.
3. Storage: Hidden in the rain-planter’s base is a layer of gravel which stores the water in the spaces between the stones, releasing it slowly back into the environment. It is this slow and delayed release which helps lower the chance of local sewer systems becoming overwhelmed after heavy rain.
4. Evapotranspiration: A certain volume of water never makes it out of the rain-planter. Instead, it is taken up by plants and returned to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration.
5. Overflow: In extremely heavy storms your SuDS planter may become full. It has a built-in overflow pipe which return the water to the local drainage system.
6. Biodiversity: As well as storing rainfall, the rain-planters become microhabitats in themselves, supporting wildlife including birds and insect pollinators.

Why you need a rain-planter

Lewes is a hotspot when it comes to flooding. Whilst some areas are at risk of flooding from the river, a bigger problem comes from the management of surface water, caused by both foul and surface water flooding when the piped drainage system is exceeded.

Unfortunately, evidence suggests that urban flooding will become more frequent due toe intense rainfall associated with climate change, and increasing impermeable surfaces in urban areas. Recognising these issues and starting to manage our own household rainfall more sustainably is one of the ways we can all take a small bit of responsibility and do something positive.

To reserve a planter or just to find out more contact: Rachel Paget at the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust. Email: rachel.paget@oart.org.uk.

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On Saturday 25th November, at the start of National Tree Week, the Arboretum team had a lovely day for planting ten more trees around Nevill Green. Six Ulmus Lutece, (Elms), have been planted on the other side of the hedge at the top of the bank alongside Nevill Road.

Near the play park area, there are now four new Crataegus persimilis prunifolia, (Cockspurthorn). One of them was sponsored by Lewes Footpaths Group in memory of the late John Vokins.

This completes the project we began in February 2023, when we planted nine other trees round the green. Thanks to all the team – and to Lewes District Council for the planting permission.

Crataegus, Crataegus berries, six elms

On Saturday 2nd December 2023, members of the Trees Committee planted five more trees in Houndean Rise and two in Southdown Avenue.

These trees complement the species planted there in 2018 and 2022: Liquidambar styraciflua Worplesdon, Acer campestre, Prunus Umeniko and Crataegus persimilis prunifolia.

Thank you to East Sussex CC for the planting permissions.

Trees Committee planting team, 2.12.23
Click images to enlarge

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The Lewes Mosaic Project is developing an exciting programme of wildlife surveys and workshops to identify the rich biodiversity present and potential on Lewes allotment sites. The Friends of Lewes’s Lewes Urban Arboretum is a partner of this Railway Land Wildlife Trust and Common Cause Cooperative project.

To kick start the project they have produced their first Autumn 2023 newsletter for allotment holders highlighting creatures to look out for and seasonal tips on how to encourage and protect wildlife this autumn/winter.

Visit the Common Cause website to find out more, read the newsletter and take part in their allotment survey. On the website, you can also sign up to receive regular allotment newsletters.

Lewes Mosaic Project

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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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