- Planning authority
- South Downs National Park Authority
- Postcodes
- BN7
- Noon sun, 21 March
- About 39°
- Shadow from a 5 m eaves line
- About 6.1 m
- Planning plan
- Local Plan
- County
- East Sussex
What shapes a plot in Lewes
Corner plots in Lewes raise a highways question early on. Drivers turning the corner need to see each other, and a new drive close to the junction needs its own clear view of the road. The highway authority comments on these points and controls new dropped kerbs separately from planning.
Homes in BN7 on wide corners often have room to place a drive well away from the junction. On tighter corners, a smaller home or a drive onto the quieter road may be the answer. Either way, South Downs National Park Authority will want to see that the layout is safe.
What happens next in Lewes
Give us your Lewes address and a sense of what you’re hoping for. Our desktop review covers the policies South Downs National Park Authority works to, recent applications on nearby side and corner plots, and anything in your title that might restrict building. A clear result leads to a visit when it suits you, after which we explain each route and what it would mean in practice.
Free plot appraisal
We look at your plot on maps, the title plan and street views, check planning history nearby and talk it through with you. If a home beside yours looks possible we visit. No cost, no obligation.
Read the street
We measure the plot and record the building line, the gaps between houses, roof heights, materials and boundary walls, then check where a new drive could go and what drivers would be able to see from it.
Design and planning
We draw a home that sits in the street rather than fighting it, usually take pre-application advice, and submit the application. The council consults neighbours and decides; small schemes often take a few months.
Sale or build
For a sale, your solicitor handles the transfer of part and any release from your lender. For a build, a written quote follows design and survey, then we build, arrange the warranty and hand over.
Worth checking early
- The council decides, and neighbours are consulted; a sensible design can still be refused or need changes.
- A new drive close to a junction may not be acceptable to the highway authority, which can force a different layout.
- Corners kept open by design can be harder to build on than they look; character can matter more than space.
Lewes: questions to ask
Will a new drive near the corner be allowed in Lewes?
Only if drivers would have a clear enough view of the road and the junction stays safe. The highway authority comments on this and controls new dropped kerbs. Drives very close to a corner are often resisted, so we check the position on site before designing.
Is my Lewes side garden wide enough for a new house?
It depends on how wide homes are in your street, the gaps between them, whether the new home would be attached or detached and what the council’s design guidance says. There’s no single minimum width. We measure your plot and the street as part of a free appraisal.
Is there a fee for checking my side plot in Lewes?
There’s no fee. The appraisal is free and you’re under no obligation. We work from maps, the title and a phone call first, and only visit if the plot seems worth it. Nothing binds you until you’ve picked a route and read the written terms.
Can I attach a new home to my house in Lewes?
Yes, where it suits the street, for example on the end of a semi-detached pair. It needs planning permission as a separate home, fire and sound separation under Building Regulations, and possibly a party wall agreement. We check whether attached or detached fits your road better.
Other options in Lewes
- Sell subject to planning
- Garden plot option agreement
- Planning permission for a garden plot
- Garage courts and yards
- Planning promotion for your garden plot
- Combine gardens with your neighbours