Where may I hold a "special event" in the Lewes District?

Fun Fairs, circuses*, fetes, informal sporting events etc. are classed as "special events" and may be held on specified recreation grounds and open areas in the district if they comply with our rules and regulations.

*Lewes District Council’s current policy regarding circuses is as follows:-

To allow the hire of its land to circuses or other events which include performing animals providing that:

1. The circus proprietors allow full access to the RSPCA to inspect their animals and agree to follow recommendations of the RSPCA.
2. The council refuses to allow hire its land to any circus proprietor or other persons using performing animals if they have any previous convictions for cruelty to animals.

Please note that Lewes District Council does not allow boot fairs on any of their grounds.

Sites in Lewes
Malling Recreation Ground (this is the only site where a fun fair or circus may take place), Landport Recreation Ground, Nevill Green, The Railway Land and Southover Grange Gardens.

Site in Seaford
Salts Recreation Ground

Site in Newhaven
Fort Road Recreation Ground

All events require Public Liability Insurance cover for the sum of £2,500,000.00. [£5million for firework displays]

Charges for the hiring of these sites is as follows:

Commercial organisations		£394.00 per day + £394.00 returnable deposit on condition of field Exempt from VAT
Voluntary Groups	Within District	Free
	Outside of District	£206.00 per day

Abseiling

Lewes District Council has installed drilled and fixed anchorage points for abseiling on the cliffs at Peacehaven Heights. Abseiling down the cliffs for charitable fundraising is permitted subject to conditions requiring supervision by appropriately experienced, equipped and insured leaders.

An inspection of the area will take place in March/April each year with representatives of English Nature and RSPB to assess whether there are any breeding pairs of birds nesting in the immediate vicinity. If nesting birds are not present abseiling may take place between May and October.

Application forms for all special events and abseiling are available from Sandy Stevens by phoning 01273 484392 or emaiing sandy.stevens@lewes.gov.uk. Alternatively, write to Finance and Community Services, Southover House, Southover Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 14AB.