Reorganisation proposals confirmed – Government Minister invited
Residents are being invited to join the Leader of Lewes District Council at a public meeting on Friday 29 May, 6pm–7pm at the Meridian Centre, Peacehaven to discuss the government’s latest consultation on local government reorganisation.
The consultation could lead to Falmer, East Saltdean, Telscombe and Peacehaven being moved out of Lewes district and into Brighton & Hove.
Councillor Zoe Nicholson, Leader of Lewes District Council, said:
“This meeting will give residents another chance to voice their concerns and send a very clear message to the government.
“We have invited Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Local Government, to attend and explain why the government is not listening to our residents. Let’s not forget, we are still waiting to see the results of the government’s first consultation from many months ago.”
The meeting will give residents the opportunity to hear the latest information, ask questions, and share their views.
Councillor Nicholson added:
”I encourage as many people as possible to join me on 29 May at the Meridian Centre.
“If this proposal goes ahead, our residents will lose their local identity, their local voice and their agency to influence their future.
“It is vital that people make their views heard and I hope the minister will join us to hear them.”
Minutes of a meeting held on Wednesday 06th May 2026, at 8.00 p.m., at the Chapter House, Southover Church.
Present: Roger Maskew, (in the Chair), Luke Bray, John Gower, Andrew Winter, Julian Till and Carolyn Beckingham.
(1) Apologies for Absence:- Apologies for absence were received from Will Dorman, Charles Meloy and, Alex Durn.
(2) Minutes of Previous Meeting:- The minutes of the meeting held on 01st April 2026 were approved.
(3) AGM:- The Friends of Lewes AGM was held in the Town Hall on Wednesday the 22nd April 2026.
Key items discussed:-
(a) Juliet Oxborrow, from the Climate Hub, made a very interesting presentation in relation to five proposals for Lewes, in order to address the increasing flood risks to the town arising from climate change. Juliet also referred to a forthcoming report on flood risks, based on last year’s Exhibition and subsequent Day Conference, recognising the 25th Anniversary of the Lewes 2000 Floods.
(b) After a short break for refreshments, the business part of the AGM was carried out, which included the re-election of Ruth O’Keeffe as Chair, Roger Maskew as Vice Chair, and Diana Freestone as Secretary, and the election of John Harbor as the new treasurer, and Paul Yates as a new trustee, followed by an amendment to the time Trustees can be a Member of a committee.
(4) John Gower’s Presentation:- It had been intended to present John Gower’s revised “Policy of Development in the Floodplain” to this meeting, but this has now been postponed to the next meeting in June.
(5) Urban Design Group Conference:-
The Committee is reminded that The Urban Design Group Conference in Lewes will be on Friday the 05th June. Roger will be part of the opening presentation in the morning session to be held at the Depot. Two walking tours of Lewes are planned for the afternoon, and both Peter Earl and Will Dorman have agreed to be guides.
(6) Planning Decisions from 27/03/2026 to 29/04/2026, plus 3 additions to the 05/05/2026:-
The following SDNPA decisions are available online:
SDNP/26/00903/ADV & 00904/LIS: 57 High Street. Removal of as-built fascia and re-instating of original timber fascia and installation of new signage to shop timber fascia panel with trough light above. Refused.
SDNP/26/00876/FUL: 15 Spring Gardens. Enclosure of existing porches. Approved.
SDNP/26/00783/LIS: 9 Cliffe High Street. Retrospective replacement of shopfront sign (resubmission of SDNP/25/03083/LIS). Approved.
SDNP/26/00588/HOUS: 76 Winterbourne Close. Hip to Gable loft conversion with rear dormer and obscured window to side elevation. Approved.
SDNP/26/00520/HOUS: 3 Paddock Road. Erection of rear facing dormer, enlargement of existing front facing dormer, installation of metal gangway from first floor rear bedroom to garden and replacement windows and door to front elevation. Approved.
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 at the rear, Changes to fenestration and various internal alterations: Amended description. Approved.
(7) New Planning Applications 27/03/2026 to 29/04/2026, plus 1 addition to the 05/05/2026:-
SDNP/26/00813/FUL & 01814/LIS: 137 High Street: Replacement of existing outbuilding with single story detached classroom and erection of additional detached single storey classroom with associated landscaping.
The Friends of Lewes are most concerned that the existing substantial flint wall at the rear of the property, facing Paddock Road, should be retained in its current condition, at its makes a valuable contribution to the streetscape at this location within the Lewes Conservation Area.
Although, the Society appreciates that although there is no specific reference to this wall being demolished in the planning application description, it is most unfortunate that in the series of Artist’s Impressions that are included in the planning application documents, (and in particular artist’s impressions 4 and 5), clearly suggest that this existing flint wall is to be rebuilt in red brick, which would be totally unacceptable.
In this context, the Society would strongly suggest that these Artist’s Impressions should not be in the list of approved drawings for this Planning Application.
The Committee examined the following applications and had no observations to make:
SDNP/26/01593/CND: The Brewery Shop, Bridge Wharf Brewery, 4-6 Cliffe High Street. Changes to condition 2 (Approved Plans) for SDNP/25/00929/FUL (for change of use of the small part of the ground floor and upper floors from ancillary office and staff accommodation to Visitor Accommodation/Use Class C1.)
SDNP/26/01559/HOUS: 25 Spences Field. To build a bridging platform to provide a walkway from the middle floor of the house to the garden.
SDNP/26/01528/ADV: Bus Shelter, Phoenix Causeway. Replace existing 6 advertising panels to double sided 6 sheet with 1digital panel.
SDNP/26/01527/LIS: 45 Cliffe High Street. Timber repairs and redecoration to the shop front.
SDNP/26/01462/HOUS: 23 Western Road. Single storey rear extension, front solar panels, rear air-source heat pump and fenestration alterations.
SDNP/26/01465/HOUS: 31 Rufus Close. Loft conversion with rear roof dormer and front roof windows.
SDNP/26/01479/HOUS: 16A Landport Road. Erection of 2no single storey side extensions, loft conversion and dormer roof to rear.
SDNP/26/01415/LIS: 12 Little East Street. Replacement roof.
SDNP/26/01332/HOUS: 17 Stansfield Road. Proposed single storey extension at the side to replace existing outbuilding.
SDNP/26/01315/FUL: 59 High Street. Installation of defibrillator and bleed kit cabinets to external wall.
SDNP/26/01311/LDP: 13 Winterbourne Close. Single storey rear extension with skylight to replace conservatory.
SDNP/26/01281/FUL & 01282/LIS: Antioch House West, Rotten Row. Replacement of existing glass conservatory with glazed solid roof sunroom, and associated works.
SDNP/26/01290/ADV: Delanair Estate, Unit 2, Brooks Road. Installation of new signage to include main signage, welcome sign, 2 no information signs to front and totem panel adjacent to car park and 1no sign to side elevation.
SDNP/26/01284/FUL & 01285/LIS: 57 High Street. Removal of as-built fascia and re-instating of original timber fascia re-painted in white and various internal works including skimming and painting of walls, new flooring and lighting and replacement of sockets and switches.
SDNP/26/01257/LIS: Jireh Chapel, Malling Street. Internal and external repairs, reinstatement of internal WC, installation of Baptistry and temporary netting beneath the barrel vaulted ceiling.
SDNP/26/01244/HOUS: 4 Barn Road. Demolish existing rear outstand and conservatory. Build rear and front/side ground floor extensions.
SDNP/26/01212/FUL: Southover Parish Church Hall, St James Street. Render repairs and coating with paint finish, extractor fan installed for future WC.
SDNP/26/01701/HOUS: 6 Fitzroy Road. Loft conversion with rear dormer.
8) Flood Report:-
Despite a wetter than usual winter, thankfully there have been no serious flooding incidents in Lewes. However, climate change still poses a very real threat to our town especially due to rising sea levels and increased river flows.
A very sobering report, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/04/new-orleans sea-levels-relocation-climate-crisis, finds that large areas of New Orleans have reached the point of no return are no longer defendable against rising sea levels. Relocation of residents should start taking place now from large areas of the low-lying city.
Much of New Orleans is at or below sea level and sits behind high concrete walls, called Levees. Many of these would need rebuilding to much higher levels, but as the land behind them remains low, the flood risk increases as the water levels rise on the other side. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans breaking the Levees and drowning over 1400 people. Many of the lowest lying areas were not rebuilt as again the risk of future flooding was too great. This new report suggests that residents are relocated now before the next natural disaster hits the city.
(9) Any Other Business:-
John Gower said that the For Sale board outside Fitzroy House had been taken down. He had heard that a consortium was thinking of establishing it as an arts centre.
Julian Till asked if there was any news of Shelleys Hotel. There was nothing official, but an online video is said to show that the property had been broken into.
(10) Date of Next Meeting: – Wednesday, 03rd June 2026, at 8.00 pm, at the Chapter House.
Consultation live: have your say on Government proposals to move parts of East Sussex into Brighton & Hove
People in East Sussex are being offered another say on the future of a unitary authority for East Sussex.
Ministers are asking for views on their suggestion that Peacehaven, Telscombe, East Saltdean and Falmer should form part of an expanded Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) from 2028.
The latest consultation is on a revised version of the One East Sussex proposal, drawn up by all the councils in East Sussex, which suggested a new unitary council should cover the whole county of East Sussex.
The Government agreed One East Sussex has ‘positive strengths’ but said it is concerned about the footprint of neighbouring BHCC which is already a unitary council.
The government’s proposal is to move almost 24,000 people from Lewes District to BHCC. The remaining population of East Sussex (about 537,000) would come under one new unitary council.
A consultation on this proposal runs until 15 June, asking if people think it would strengthen local government, its services and its finances.
Minutes of a meeting held on Wednesday 1st April 2026, at 8.00 p. m., at the Chapter House, Southover Church.
Present: Roger Maskew, (in the Chair), John Gower, Carolyn Beckingham, Peter Earl as an invited guest and Julian Till as an observer.
(1) Apologies for Absence:- Apologies for absence were received from Will Dorman, Charles Meloy, Luke Bray, Andrew Winter and Alex Durn.
(2) Minutes of Previous Meeting:- The minutes of the meeting held on 4th March 2026 were approved.
(3) Presentation by John Gower:-
John Gower presented his redraft of the “Policy on Development in the Floodplain”, which was discussed in some detail. However, given the number of absentees, it was decided to consider this item again at the next meeting of the Planning Committee on the 06th May 2026.
(4) Executive Committee Meeting on 25th March 2026 :-
Key items discussed:-
(a) John Harbor, our prospective new treasurer, was welcomed to the meeting and introductions were made.
(b) North Street Quarter purchase by LDC. It was agreed that the Friends of Lewes will not support the representations from CAAG and the town council in questioning the LDC rationale for the purchase of the site.
(c) The Urban Design Group Conference in Lewes on Friday the 05th June 2026. Roger recently met the organiser of the conference, and will make the opening presentation in the morning session to be held at the Depot, followed by other presentations during the morning. Two walking tours of Lewes are planned for the afternoon, and both Peter Earl and Will Dorman have agreed to be guides.
(d) Following approval by the Planning Committee, the revised “Policy of Development in the Floodplain”, will tabled at the next meeting of the Executive Committee on the 27th May 2026.
5) Planning Decisions from 28/02/2026 to 26/03/2026:-
The following SDNPA decisions are available online:
SDNP/25/01502/HOUS: 1 Barn Road: Section 73A retrospective construction of timber outbuilding and alteration to boundary fence to provide gated access. Refused.
SDNP/25/04572/FUL: Grange Court, Grange Road: Proposed removal of all existing timber windows and doors and replacement with new windows and doors made from timber to front and side elevations, and white uPVC to the rear elevation (Amended Plans)(Amended Description). Approved.
SDNP/25/03557/HOUS: 43 Morris Road: Installation of new dormer to rear roofslope. Approved.
SDNP/25/02158/ADV: 219 High Street: Replacement of 1no non-illuminated fascia to front. Approved.
SDNP/25/01441/LDE: 46 Spences Lane: Use of property as two separate flats since 2015. Approved.
SDNP/25/00928/FUL: 1-2 Cliffe High Street: Change of use of the ground floor of No’s 1 and 2 to a Sui Generis public house, replacement rear extension to No. 1, new dormer and single storey rear extension to No. 2, foundation stabilisation works to No’s 1 and 2 and repairs to river all. Approved.
SDNP/24/03586/FUL: Garage Compound, Prince Charles Road. Demolition of garages and erection of 4 x affordable dwellings to rent. Approved.
SDNP/24/03472/FUL: Garage Compound, Waldshut Road: Demolition of garages and construction of 1no affordable dwelling to rent. Approved.
(6) New Planning Applications from 28/02/2026 to 26/03/2026:-
SDNP/26/00809/FUL: 20-21 High Street: Partial change of ground floor from Class E to form 2no residential units:
The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal, as the Society considers it to be an overdevelopment of this existing town centre building, for the following reasons:-
(1) The proposed conversion to form two residential units is very contrived internally, and also relies on the conversion of a very small overgrown area at the rear of the existing building, to provide any external amenity space, which would appear to be unrealistic.
(2) Furthermore, the ‘section A’ drawing provided as part of the submission, clearly indicates that this proposed amenity space does not relate well to the ground floor level of the building to be converted to residential use.
(3) With reference to photographs provided in the ‘Design and Access Statement’, it is evident that there are already a large number wheelie bins to the rear of 20-21 High Street which are not screened from view. In this respect, there would appear to be no scope for adding further wheelie bins.
(4) Similarly, there would appear to be no scope for accommodating two additional cycle spaces without being an inconvenience to neighbours.
For these reasons, the Society would strongly recommend that this application should be refused.
SDNP/26/00904/LIS: 57 High Street: Removal of as-built fascia and re-instating of original timber fascia and installation of new signage to shop timber fascia with trough lighting above:
The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal for the following reasons:-
(1) Whilst the Society welcomes the re-instatement of an original timber fascia to this shopfront, the proposed use of cut letters from 10mm thick black foam board to be fixed to the fascia, is considered to be wholly unacceptable and out of character within the Lewes Conservation Area.
(2) External illumination of the entire shop front is also unacceptable within the Conservation Area.
(3) Furthermore, the proposed re- use of the trough light above the fascia would be contrary to the South Downs National Park’s Dark Sky’s Policy.
(4) The Society is also aware of some outstanding issues within the interior of the shop, in relation to how shelves have been fitted to the structure of this Listed Building, which also need to be urgently addressed.
For these reasons, the Society would strongly recommend that this application should be refused.
SDNF/26/00876/FUL: 15 Spring Gardens: Enclosure of existing porches:
The Friends of Lewes object to this planning application, as the Society is of the view that this proposal is very similar to the previous Planning Application, (SDNP/23/04649FUL), which was refused in March 2024. Furthermore, the proposed installation of black timber cladding on the front elevation would also not be considered acceptable, as it would introduce an additional material to the front elevation of this residential building, which would have an adverse visual impact within the Conservation Area.
SDNP/26/01190/HOUS: 9 Cleve Terrace: Loft conversion with rooflight to front:
The Friends of Lewes have no objection to the introduction of this proposed rooflight into the front elevation to this terraced house in the Conservation Area. However, the Society would like to advise the applicant that a single rooflight would provide insufficient light for the conversion of the existing loft space into a habitable room, such as an additional bedroom, and also suggests that further advice be sought from Building Control, before proceeding with this project.
SDNP/26/00437/HOUS: 15 Mount Harry Road: Erection of wooden fencing around the side and front gardens including too number gates:
The Friends of Lewes object to this planning application, as the Society considers that the proposed fence and gates would be too high at this location, at the corner of the junction of Mount Harry Road and Caburn Crescent. Furthermore, there seems to be inconsistencies in the proposed heights of both the “pedestrian gate” and “driveway gate pair” at 1830mm compared to the “Drawing 3 – fence panel with trellis topper” at 1525mm. In addition, the “Block/Site Plan” suggests that the new fence is 1.83m high. The Society would therefore like to suggest that the height of the proposed fence should be limited to 1.0m, possible supplemented with suitable planting along the garden side of the site boundary.
The Committee examined the following applications and had no observations to make:
SDNP/26/01197/FUL: 63 High Street. Conversion of existing building from Class E(c)(i) (Financial Services) to a self-contained three-bedroom dwelling (Class C3).
SDNP/26/01042/LIS: 4-6 the Bridge Wharf Brewery, Cliffe High Street. Installation of rooflights.
SDNP/26/01035/HOUS: 12 Mountfield Road. Erection of single-storey side extension and front porch extension
SDNP/26/01095/LDE: 24 Chapel Hill. Retaining of brick enclosure including monopitch roof.
SDNP/26/01041/LIS: 4-6 The Bridge Wharf Brewery, Cliffe High Street. Installation of Air Source Heat Pumps.
SDNP/26/01005/LIS: 144 High Street. Replacement of rotten windows to first and second floors of south and west elevations.
SDNP/26/00992/HOUS: 12 Nevill Crescent. Demolition of garage studio and erection of single storey side extension.
SDNP/26/01010/FUL: Telecommunications Mast 2 at County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent. Installation of a telecommunications base station comprising the addition of 6 no new antennas and 1 no new 300mm dish, together with ancillary development thereto on the rooftop of Lewes County Hall.
SDNP/26/00975/HOUS: 20 Evelyn Road. Replace conservatory with single storey rear extension.
SDNP/26/00811/HOUS: 6 St John’s Hill. Loft conversion including rear dormer and installation of 2no rooflights to front elevation.
SDNP/26/00632/HOUS: 27 Baxter Road. Construct retaining walls and a hard standing platform in the front garden to support the pressure of a mobility scooter.
SDNP/26/00510/FUL: 1B Prince Edward’s Road. Replacement of 7no windows and 4no doors, installation of 1no window to side of garage.
SDNP/26/00510/FUL: 49A Cliffe High Street. Installation of gas pipe to supply 2nd floor flat.
SDNP/26/00024/FUL: Installation of a new DDA compliant ramp to the West Entrance of Sackville House along with replacement of existing glazed screen and double doors with new entry syste
(7) Flood Report for April 2026: By John Gower.
The Friends of Lewes (FoL) Planning Committee is currently drafting a “Policy on Development in the Floodplain” for Lewes and surrounding areas. Once agreed, the policy will be brought to the Executive Committee for formal ratification. Last November, the Lewes Floods 25th Anniversary Public Meeting voted by a large majority to restrict building new houses in the floodplain, a view that FoL supports. This formal policy will help the FoL put forward our views and objections to any inappropriate development proposals.
There have been no reports of significant flooding in Lewes this winter, but in Kenya 66 people were killed in sudden flooding and Tenerife experienced its worst storms in decades with up to 700mm of rainfall experienced over 6 days.
In the UK, the National Emergency Briefing have produced a film of their November 2025 conference on the climate crises, which is being shown at the Depot on Thursday 9 April. The film and conference paint a very sobering picture of the future, with climate change impacts, including flooding, accelerating.
The Friends of Lewes AGM is on 22nd April 2026 in the Lewes Town Hall Council Chamber. The speaker is Juliet Oxborrow, a director at the Lewes Climate Hub, who will talk about the Lewes Floods 25th Floods Anniversary Conference and Public Meeting held last autumn.
Juliet is currently writing the formal report of the event which will be published in May following the local council elections.
And finally, some good news. The Pells Pool are planning some improvements works and it has been very encouraging to note that their proposed new plant room and office accommodation have been designed to be floating, so when the pool area floods the new building will float and rise up above the flood waters! This is a very sensible adaptation which should be mirrored for all future building in the Lewes and surrounding areas floodplains.
(8) Any Other Business:-
Carolyn Beckingham asked if there had been any further progress with Shelleys Hotel. A 216 notice, to gain access to the building, has recently been served by Lewes District Council, to which the owner has objected.
(9) Date of Next Meeting:-
Wednesday, 06th May 2026, at 8.00pm in the Chapter House.
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.
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 ?
