®Planning appeal decision
78 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1XN
Planning appeal 3368784 at 78 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1XN (South Downs) was dismissed on 29 January 2026 by Inspector Lomax B, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed development would provide appropriate living conditions for future occupiers of the proposed dwelling with regard to the provision of natural light, outlook, and access to private outdoor space.
Change of use of lower ground floor unit from financial and professional services use (Class E(c)(ii), to a 1 bed residential flat (Class C3)
- Authority
- South Downs
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Lomax B
- Postcode
- BN7 1XN
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed development would provide appropriate living conditions for future occupiers of the proposed dwelling with regard to the provision of natural light, outlook, and access to private outdoor space
What decided it
The significantly compromised natural lighting conditions, particularly the reliance on a light-well for the bedroom and absence of natural light in the kitchen and bathroom, would fail to provide appropriate living conditions for future occupiers in conflict with the development plan.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy SD5 of the South Downs Local PlanPolicy PL2 of the Lewes Town Council Neighbourhood Plan 2015 – 2033
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
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- Dismissed11 May 2026600074417 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2LN
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.