The Lewes Magistrates’ Court, built by East Sussex County Council and opened in 1986, was closed in 2011 due to government cuts. The developer Quora’s proposal to demolish the court and build a 60-bed hotel was approved in December 2014. This three storey building, comprising a Premier Inn hotel with retail units on the ground floor, was completed in August 2016.
The Friends of Lewes was influential in changing the design to make it more sympathetic to the area of town in which it is located. Early architect’s designs can be seen on the Quora website.
Friends of Lewes Consultation Responses on the Lewes Magistrates’ Court/Premier Inn development:
- Friends of Lewes’s Comments on planning application for houses on former Magistrates Court carpark, May 2016
- The Courthouse, Friars Walk, Lewes: Friends of Lewes statement following approval. December 2014
- The Courthouse, Friars Walk, Lewes: Friends of Lewes final response to the planning application. December 2014
- The Courthouse, Friars Walk, Lewes: Friends of Lewes response. September 2014
- The Courthouse, Friars Walk, Lewes: Friends of Lewes statement. July 2014
- Lewes Former Magistrates’ Court Development – FoL statement on revised plans. May 2014
- Former Lewes Magistrates Court Development Plan Rejected. Dec 2013
- Response to revised plans submitted by Quora for development of Lewes Magistrates’ Court site. October 2013
- Response to planning application by Quora for development of Lewes Magistrates’ Court site. June 2013
- FoL’s Comments on Quora’s proposals of April 2013
To explore other Friends of Lewes statements and submissions to the planning authorities on this development, use the search box at top right, and see the Friends of Lewes Newsletters.
Lewes Magistrates Court, and the Premier Inn, on Friar’s Walk
