Decision due on homes on former Lewes’ school playground

On Wednesday (September 2), Lewes District Council’s planning committee are expected to consider proposals to build three houses to the rear of Lewes New School in Talbot Terrace.

Parts of the building (also formerly known as Pells County Primary School) is Grade II listed, so the committee will also consider whether to grant listed building consent.

The proposals would see the demolition of a non-original extension and outbuildings, but would not see any material changes to the Grade II listed school buildings.

In a report recommending the scheme be approved, a council planning officer said: “In this case the proposed houses would help to meet the chronic shortage of housing in a small way, within the built-up area boundary, and on a site that has been previously developed.

“One key issue however, is whether the subdivision of the site and the separation of the land, which included the school playground, could prejudice the continued viable use of the main school building, the longevity and maintenance of which requires a continued viable use in order to protect and safeguard the listed building.

“This was an initial concern of the Design and Conservation Specialist. However, the applicant submitted additional information which demonstrates the current use of the listed building is not dependent on the grounds around it, and also that there is a prospective end use of the building.”

In application documents, the applicant says the remaining school buildings are potentially set to be bought by a “well-known Lewes-based spiritual and community organisation”. 

The applicant says this group currently occupies a listed building in Station Street and has been looking for a larger premises for some years.

While not specified in the application documents, the description is a good fit for The Lewes Subud Centre.

Even if this sale does not go ahead, the applicant says there remains a demand to rent the space within the building, which would not be affected by the building of the houses.

The application also specifies that the three houses would sit in a terraced row, with two of the houses standing taller as they would have an additional bedroom within their roof spaces.

While recommended for approval, the scheme has seen some local opposition, largely due to concerns around its position within the town’s conservation area and its potential to affect the viability of the listed building as a going concern.

Built in 1896 and designed by the architect Richard Creed, Lewes New School is a Grade II listed building.

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