Lewes District Council

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Design & Conservation
Lewes District Council
Southover House
Southover Road
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1AB

Tel: 01273 484413
planning@lewes.gov.uk
Minicom 01273 484488

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Conservation Areas

River Ouse, LewesThere are 35 Conservation Areas in the Lewes District covering an area of 493 ha. A large part of the town of Lewes is a Conservation Area.

We have a duty to ensure that these designated areas are preserved or enhanced and development proposals within these areas are subject to special scrutiny.

What is a Conservation Area?

The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 defines a conservation area as ‘an area of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.’

Designation is the principal means by which local authorities apply conservation policies to a particular area. It provides the basis for policies designed to preserve and enhance all the aspects of character or appearance that define the special interest of an area.

This Act requires that when considering applications for development in a Conservation Area, attention shall be paid to the desirability of conserving or enhancing the character of that area.

The local planning authority are required to formulate and publish Conservation Area Appraisals detailing proposals for the preservation and enhancement of Conservation Areas within the District. 

Developments within Conservation Areas are subject to special planning controls.  This means that consent is required for some works that would usually be permitted development, including the demolition of buildings and works to trees. 

Find out if your property is within a Conservation Area using our 'Property' search tab (constraints) on Public Access.

The conservation areas within the Lewes District are: