Plans to replace advertising hoarding opposite Lewes pub withdrawn

Before the planning application was withdrawn on December 10, more than 160 objections had been raised on South Downs National Park planning portal.

Cllr Roy Clay, Green Party councillor for Castle Ward, said: “This application was clearly not in keeping with a town in the middle of a National Park, and it was good to see so many people realising this and making the effort to oppose the plans.

“The proposal appeared to breach multiple ‘Strategic Policies’ in the South Downs Local Plan, including those on advertisements, dark skies, and sustainable use of resources. It is good that the developer appears to have realised this and withdrawn the wholly-inappropriate application”.

Cllr Johnny Denis, LDC cabinet member for communities and customers, said: “This case has made us look at the whole issue of advertising in the district and whether we have any powers to restrict the advertising of products and services that are not consistent with our policies and values.”

Cllr Matthew Bird, cabinet member for sustainability, added: “Looking at the SDNPA policies it is questionable whether the existing hoarding should ever have been allowed, especially since it obscures the view of Brack Mount from one of the main roads into Lewes.

“The hoarding has also attracted graffiti over the last year or so. Perhaps the best solution would be for this billboard to be taken down as soon as possible.”