Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 6th December 2023

Week 18 October to 29 November

SDNP/23/04592/HOUS: 24 Fitzjohns Road: Installation of 6x Solar Panels on rear flat roof dormer.

The Friends of Lewes object to this application, as the Society is concerned about the installation of the solar panels into “Landscape Roof Tubs” on the existing flat roof, which would make them much more conspicuous within the wider setting. Furthermore, if fitted as proposed, this type of installation could set a precedent for other property owners to adopt.

SDNP/23/04619/HOUS: 9-10 Pelham Terrace: Front Dormer, full width rear dormer, rear infill extension.

The Friends of Lewes object to this application, as the Society considers that the combination of the proposed front dormer and full width rear dormer, both on no. 10 Pelham Terrace, would alter the overall visual character of Pelham Terrace, and as such could be considered as overdevelopment. In addition, the design of full width rear dormer does not comply with the agreed design guidance for dormers on existing roofs. 

SDNP/23/04683/HOUS: 16 Hawkenbury Way: Rear dormer and addition of window to side.

The Friends of Lewes object to this application, as the design of the rear dormer does not comply with the agreed design guidance for dormers on existing roofs. 

SDNP/23/04764/HOUS: 30 Montacute Road: Demolition of existing integral garage, erection of two-storey side extension, alterations to cladding, erection of decking to the rear, and alterations to fenestration to rear.

The Friends of Lewes would like to comment that it considers the proposed alterations to this detached house would incorporate a number of detailed changes that would result in an unfortunate loss of character if implemented. The Society would therefore like to suggest that a more sympathetic conversion would be more appropriate.

SDNP/23/04923/FUL: 1 Hill Road: Erection of 3no bedroom dwelling.

The Friends of Lewes note that this application seems to be no longer available on the planning portal. However, as a result of an earlier assessment of this application, the Society was intending to object on the basis of the overdevelopment of this small site and its juxtaposition to two mature trees.

SDNP/23/04940/HOUS: 22 King Henrys Road: Demolition of existing rear conservatory and rear lean to extension. Replacement glazed bay window and full width canopy to rear. Amended door and window openings to rear elevation. Associated landscaping works.

The Friends of Lewes object to this application and agrees with the comments of the Design and Conservation Officer, regarding the loss of existing windows to the rear and the adverse effect on the conservation area as an Edwardian conservation area. The Society is also concerned about the appearance of the full width canopy to the rear, which it considers to be inappropriate.

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

SDNP/23/04110/HOUS:  18 Morris Road.	Replacement of existing door and sill to front with wooden door to be painted the same colour, and replacement of concrete slab path to front with red and black tiles.
SDNP/23/04567/LIS: HMP Lewes, 1 Brighton Road.	Fire safety improvements to prison blocks- extended scope to existing consent SDNP/21/03714/LIS.
SDNP/23/04733/ADV & 04861/LIS: 32 Friars Walk.	Installation of 2no A2 notice boards on either side of the gate to display meeting times, times for worship and community events.
SDNP/04869/HOUS: 33 Prince Charles Road.	Extension to front and rear of existing ground floor garage workshop to become accommodation.
SDNP/23/04876/HOUS: 1 Delaware Road.	Conversion of garage including extension to front, dormer to rear roofslope, rooflights to front and rear, and additions and alterations to fenestration throughout.
SDNP/23/04937/HOUS: 4 Cranmer Close.	Erection of single storey side extension, timber deck to rear, and internal alterations.

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1st November 2023

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.
SDNP/23/02460/LIS & 03043/FUL: Brack Mound House, Bottom Floor Flat, Castle Precincts:	Replace existing loading bay door and window with a new casement window and G

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Representations made on planning applications following the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday 4th October 2023

16/8/2023 to 3/10 /2023

SDNP/23/03221/HOUS: 2 Friars Mews, Pinwell Road: Replacement of all double glazed windows excluding rear ground floor, with white wood grain effect UVPC.

The Friends of Lewes actively discourage the use of UVPC within the Conservation Area, however in this particular case the Society has read with interest the comments of the Senior Conservation and Design officer, and would like to support her conclusions that this proposal should be permitted.

SDNP/23/03552/HOUS: 2 St. John’s Terrace: Demolition of shop front and installation of front bay window, open up front lightwell and installation of balustrade.

The Friends of Lewes support this application, as the existing shop front has been in a very poor state of repair for a number of years and the Society welcomes both the repair of this corner building within the conservation area, and its conversion to residential use.

SDNP/23/03612/FUL: Builders Yard Timberyard Lane: Erection of 2no residential dwellings and associated landscaping.

The Friends of Lewes object to this proposal as a result of its adverse visual impact at the southern end of Morris Road. In this context, in order to maintain the distant view of the downs, the Society considers that the gap between the two proposed buildings should be increased. Of particular concern is the large blank brick façade of the larger unit on the western side of the site, which is considered to be very dominant and stark in appearance. In contrast, the smaller unit on the eastern part of the site barely visible in context along Morris Road.

In order to improve this proposal, the Society suggests that the following amendments should be considered:-

(1) That the gap between the buildings should be increased, in order to improve the view of the downs.

(2) That a pedestrian link should be provided between Morris Road and Timberyard Lane in order to improve the ‘connectivity’ of the area for local residents.

(3) That pedestrian access to both units could be achieved from this pedestrian link.

(4) That the size of the larger unit on the western side of the site should be reduced.

(5) That the flank wall of the above unit, facing Morris Road, be redesigned to be less ‘stark’ in appearance and more sympathetic to the local context. 

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

SDNP/23/03143/HOUS: 61 Western Road:	Installation of 1no front-facing and 1no, installation of 1no rooflight in the rear roof slope, painting of existing window frames and replacement of the front door.
SDNP/23/03158/LIS: 9 Fisher Street:	S73A retrospective application for replacement of two timber windows to front and rear with timber windows, refurbishment of eight timber windows to front and rear and repainting all windows in Shade Invisible Green by Little Green.
SDNP/23/03411/HOUS: 13 Mill Road:	Demolition of conservatory and construction of single storey side extension.
SDNP/23/03608/FUL & 03609/LIS: 18 Castle Ditch Lane:	Retrospective application for removal and replacement of existing garden building, replacement of fences to South and West boundaries.
SDNP/23/03660/HOUS: 124 Western Road:	Erection of single storey infill extension to rear, replacement sash windows to front elevation and other associated alterations.
SDNP/23/03840/HOUS: 1 Firle Crescent:	Rebuilding of front porch structure, alterations to rear ground floor door and window openings, garage conversion to home office with new pitched roof and landscaping.
SDNP/23/03861/HOUS: 26 Barons Down Road:	Conversion of garage into bathroom for use by a disabled occupant.
SDNP/23/03869/LIS: HMP Lewes, 1 Brighton Road:	Amendments to CCTV and internal alterations.
SDNP/23/03930/LIS: 28A Station Street:	Replacement of 2 front existing front-facing windows with new double-glazed equivalents.
SDNP/23/03738/HOUS: 1 Anne’s Path:	Installation of 12 Solar Panels to roof.
SDNP/23/04011/LIS: 117 High Street:	Extension of rear lightwell, addition of walk-on glazing and addition of glass balustrade to rear.
SDNP/23/04053/HOUS: 122 South Street:	Replacement rear windows to French doors with Juliette balcony.

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