On Friday 17th November, members of the Trees Committee met with representatives of the Southover School’s eco-committee to plant a Sorbus thuringiaca fastigiata, (Hybrid Whitebeam), next to the infants’ playground. The school had contacted the Trees Committee because pupils were very sad to have lost the Walnut tree which had grown there. The replacement tree is a cross between a Rowan and a Whitebeam and we think it shows the best qualities of both!
Prince Charles Road, Malling
Last year, the much-loved Wheatley Elm at the corner of Prince Charles Road and Church Lane had to be felled because it had succumbed to Dutch Elm disease. When the Trees Committee planted the replacement Elm, (Ulmus Homestead), they noticed that there was space for more trees along the wide verge of Prince Charles Road. On Saturday 18th November they returned on a rather wet and windy day to plant ten more disease-resistant Elms, (Ulmus Lutece). This planting will help towards restoring the population of healthy Elms to East Sussex – and providing habitat for the rare White-letter Hairstreak Butterfly.
Left: Southover School, Right: Prince Charles Road, Malling Click image to enlarge
Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 1st November 2023
Week 13 September to 30 October 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:
SDNP/23/03559/HOUS: 13 Dorset Road:
Installation of 2no rooflights, rebuilding of ladder staircase, and insulation of loft space. Installation of 1no rooflight to first floor hallway.
SDNP/23/03811/HOUS: 10 Verrall’s Walk:
Replacement of front door and UPVC windows to front, rear and side.
SDNP/23/04003/HOUS/HOUS: 23 Hillyfield:
Erection of 1.5 storey side extension to replace existing garden room.
SDNP/23/04125/HOUS: 2 Chandlers Wharf:
Replace first floor front window with inward-opening door and Juliet balcony.
SDNP/23/04214/FUL: Undercliffe House Malling Street:
Creation of vehicular crossover to formalise an existing access.
SDNP/23/04236/FUL: 28A Station Street:
Replacement of 2 existing front-facing windows with new double-glazed equivalents.
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 06th 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 07th 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 08th 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 22nd 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 01st October).
The Committee examined the following applications and had no observations to make:
SDNP/23/02726/HOUS & 02754/LIS: 2 St Martin’s Lane
Replace existing sand cement render to first floor front elevation with handmade clay tiles.
SDNP/23/02931/FUL: Vipers Wharf, Railway Lane
Remove two doors to front elevation, addition of single glazed door to front, addition of canopy and glazed return to front/side.
SDNP/23/03035/HOUS: 29 Harvard Close
Installation of Air Source Heat Pump to front.
SDNP/23/03082/HOUS: 127 High Street
Fenestration alterations.
SDNP/23/03179/LDP: 40 Old Malling Way
Erection of rear extension to replace existing conservatory.
SDNP/23/03300/HOUS & 03315/LIS, SDNP/22/03498/HOUS & 05828/LIS: 2 St Pancras Road
Amendments to planning consent for part single storey, part two storey side and rear extension, alterations to fenestration, and demolition of existing side and rear extension, comprising further changes to external doors and windows, internal modifications, and air source heat pump.
SDNP/23/03315/HOUS & 03316/LIS: 9 Sun Street
Installation of rooflight to rear and replacement enlarged windows and door to rear to a Grade II Listed Building.
SDNP/23/03341/HOUS: 21 St Annes Crescent
Widening of existing rear dormer.
SDNP/23/03418/HOUS. 35 Talbot Terrace
Erection of single storey rear extension to replace existing structure.
SDNP/23/03143/HOUS: 61 Western Road
Installation of 1no front facing and 1no rear facing dormer, installation of 1no rooflight in rear roofslope, painting of existing window frames and the replacement of the front door.
In the archives of The Keep at Falmer is a 3-D model more than 5 ft long, made in about 1962. It shows how Lewes would have looked if a startling 1960s proposal for the ‘Lewes Inner Relief Road’ had gone through.
This motorway-standard road was intended to relieve the traffic congestion in Lewes and protect the High Street area, but it would also have had the effect of cutting the town in two.
It would have run from the Prison Crossroads through The Paddock, skirting Lewes Castle and on to the Phoenix Causeway, and pedestrians would have had to use a footbridge or tunnel to cross from one side of Lewes to the other.
Residents of Lewes, along with organisations like the Friends of Lewes mobilised against these plans, resulting in the building of the Southern Bypass, which we know today.
In Carving Through Lewes, Jill Goulder takes us along the planned road, showing how Lewes would have changed had it been allowed to go ahead.
Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Tuesday 1 August 2023:
SDNP/23/02127/HOUS: 50A North Way:S73a retrospective application for the erection of outbuilding to front. The Friends of Lewes are concerned about the possibly proliferation of small structures and storage facilities within gardens to the front of properties, that could have an adverse impact on the street scene. However, the Society appreciates that in this case the existing building for cycle storage is currently hidden from view by a substantial established hedge. The Society would therefore like to suggest that if this retrospective application is approved, that a planning condition is required in order to ensure that the existing hedge is retained in order to continue to screen the structure.
SDNP/23/02450/HOUS: 31 Highdown Road:Two-storey extension to side, single-storey extension to rear, addition of dormers to rear and side elevation, replacement of 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 as the proposed side and rear extensions would both inappropriately overwhelm the original building and unbalance the symmetry of the semi-detached grouping with 29 Highdown Road. Furthermore, the Society considers that the rear dormer is too large and does not comply with the agreed guidance on dormers. Indeed, the visual impact of this proposal would be further exacerbated as it would be clearly visible from the footpath behind the property and within the wider landscape context to the north.
SDNP/23/02685/LIS: 127 High Street: Replacement of cladding to front and sides with handmade clay tiles and replacement of cladding to the rear with handmade clay tiles and unpainted feathered wooden cladding. The Friends of Lewes support the replacement of the existing timber cladding with handmade clay tiles to the front elevation of this listed building. However, with regard to the side (west) elevation, the Society would like to suggest that the replacement of the existing timber cladding with handmade clay tiles be limited to the listed building, and not be continued along the extensive boundary wall, where it might be more appropriate to retain the existing timber cladding as a contrasting material.
SDNP/23/02873/FUL: Land opposite 40 Nevill Road: Installation of 18m high 5g telecom pole, along with associated equipment cabinet. The Friends of Lewes object to the installation of such a high pole at this location, which would be too prominent opposite the entrance to the Nevill housing estate. The Society would recommend that the applicant considers alternative locations for the erection of this 18m high 5g telecom pole, ideally at a more remote site.
SDNP/23/02993/ADV: 50 High Street: Installation of 3no. 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.
SDNP/23/02973/FUL: Former Bus Station Eastgate Street: Demolition of existing buildings and construction of mixed use development comprising 3 houses (Class C3), 32 self-contained flats (Class C3) and 198m2 of ground floor commercial space (Class E), with associated access alterations, landscaping and parking. Friends of Lewes response to the revised application on the former Lewes Bus Station, 15 August 2023 [pdf 146kb]
The Committee examined the following applications and had no observations to make:
SDNP/23/02534/HOUS: 22A Priory Street
Replacement of timber front door.
SDNP/23/02680/HOUS: 16 St Johns Terrace
Repair including application of bonding agent and mortar, sand and cement mix. Repainting of front facade.
SDNP/23/02683/LIS: 2 St Pancras Road
Replacement of existing single glazing to four windows on front elevation with new slimline double-glazed units in existing window frames.
The Friends of Lewes has responded to the specific amendments made to the Phoenix Planning Application.
The Society’s previous submission of 17 May 2023 highlighted a number of concerns that it considered essential to be considered in further detail. Having studied the amendments to the original planning proposals, the Friends of Lewes continues to have strong objections to many aspects of the planning application, and is disappointed that many of its concerns have not been adequately addressed.
As a consequence, the Friends of Lewes now objects to this proposal for the reasons listed in its submission of 29 August 2023:
The Lewes Conservation Area was under the spotlight as part of a public consultation launched by the South Downs National Park Authority in May 2023.
The Conservation Area, which covers most of the central part of the town, has been in existence for many years and predates the creation of the National Park in 2010. Conservation Areas have been identified as having high historic or architectural interest.
The National Park Authority’s consultation is reviewing the Lewes Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) and the Article 4 Direction for Lewes Conservation Area. Article 4 Direction restricts the scope of permitted development rights on properties or land and offers additional protection to the townscape.
The Friends of Lewes submitted its response to this consultation on 5 August 2023:
Following comments received during public consultation and meetings with local groups, statutory consultees (such as East Sussex County Council and the Environment Agency) and the South Downs National Park’s planning team, Human Nature has made some changes to their plans.
These have been submitted to the Park, meaning a new consultation period has now opened and will run for the next 30 days.
Moving the Health Centre to the Causeway, next to the Co-Mobility Hub. The centre will now be served directly by buses and services at the CoMo Hub (which will be built at an earlier stage, as requested by the Park), with ample parking and step-free access from the Hub into the building.
Improvements around Pells Pool – reducing building footprint and overlooking.
A new public space by the Green Wall and improving access into the Phoenix.
Image from Human Nature email to subscribers, 29.8.23
All information is from Human Nature’s email to subscribers, 29.8.23
The Generator Group submitted a new plan to redevelop the former bus station in Lewes in July 2023, after their previous application for the site was refused by the National Park’s Planning Committee in September 2022.
The new plan was for 35 residential dwellings, including three houses and 32 flats, as well as 198m2 of commercial floorspace at the site in Eastgate Street. The proposals also include access alterations, landscaping and parking.
The Friends of Lewes submitted its response to this application on 15 August 2023 to the SDNPA, stating the reasons for its strong objection.
The Lewes Societies Fair is back! This is a great opportunity for the community – especially newcomers – to drop in and find out about the clubs and societies that operate in our area. Dozens of clubs, groups and societies, including Lewes History Group, and the Friends of Lewes will have stalls, and will show residents what they have to offer.
Come along and find out how you can get involved!
We thank Ruth O’Keeffe for reinstating and organising this event after a 3 year Covid gap.
Friends of Lewes 