East Sussex local planning policies — what architects need to know

Planning applications in East Sussex are assessed against both national policy (the NPPF) and the relevant local plan policies for the specific council. The five councils covered by Buildwise — Rother, Hastings, Wealden, Eastbourne, and Lewes — each have distinct local plans with their own policy codes, requirements, and emphases. Understanding the key policies for each council is essential for preparing a Design & Access Statement that addresses the right requirements.

This guide sets out the key policies architects are most likely to encounter across each council, with notes on what each requires in practice.

Rother District Council

Rother's planning framework comprises the Core Strategy 2014 and the Development and Site Allocations (DaSA) Local Plan 2019. Rother has one of the lowest Housing Delivery Test scores nationally at 43%, making the NPPF §11(d) tilted balance strongly engaged for residential applications.

Key design and amenity policies

• EN1 Landscape character — requires development to respect and enhance the landscape character of the area. Important for applications in rural settings or on the edge of the High Weald AONB.
• EN3 Design quality — the primary design policy for Rother. Requires proposals to be of high quality design that respects local character, scale, and materials. DAS statements must address EN3 directly.
• DEN1 Design in the DaSA area — supplements EN3 with more detailed requirements for development in the DaSA policy area. Covers scale, massing, materials, and relationship to neighbours.
• DEN4 Residential extensions and annexes — specifically addresses householder extensions. Requires extensions to be subordinate to the host dwelling, respect its character, and not cause material harm to neighbours.
• OSS2 / OSS4 Sustainable development — sustainability and efficient use of land policies that underpin residential proposals across the district.

Hastings Borough Council

Hastings operates under the Planning Strategy 2014 and the Development Management Plan (DMP) 2015. The borough has significant areas of conservation interest, including the Old Town Conservation Area and numerous listed buildings. A new local plan is in preparation with Reg 19 consultation expected in late 2026.

Key design and amenity policies

• DM1 Sustainable design and construction — requires all new development to demonstrate high standards of sustainable design. Addresses energy efficiency, water use, and construction materials.
• DM3 Design principles — the primary design policy. Requires proposals to respect local character, respond to context, and achieve high quality design. Essential in every DAS for Hastings.
• DM4 Residential extensions — applies specifically to householder applications. Sets out requirements for extensions to be subordinate, respect materials and character, and avoid overlooking and overshadowing.
• DM5 / DM6 Housing standards — internal space standards and amenity requirements for new residential units. Apply to new dwellings rather than extensions.
• EN1 Natural environment — protects biodiversity and ecological networks. Relevant for applications near the AONB or involving significant landscaping.

Wealden District Council

Wealden's development plan comprises the Core Strategy 2013 and a range of saved policies from the 1998 Local Plan. A significant proportion of Wealden lies within the High Weald AONB, which has strong landscape protections. The council's HDT score of 80% triggers the 20% buffer on the five-year housing land supply calculation.

Key design and amenity policies

• WCS14 Respecting the natural environment — core policy for landscape and biodiversity. Critical for applications in or near the AONB.
• GD1 General development criteria — the primary design policy from the 1998 Local Plan saved policies. Despite its age, it remains relevant and must be addressed in DAS statements.
• GD2 Design standards — supplements GD1 with specific requirements for scale, massing, and materials. Both GD1 and GD2 should be cited together for design proposals.
• EN1 Protection of the countryside — restricts development in the open countryside. Fundamental for any rural application in Wealden.
• DC17 Residential extensions — the key householder policy. Requires extensions to be sympathetic to the character of the host dwelling and not cause unacceptable harm to neighbours.

Eastbourne Borough Council

Eastbourne's development plan includes the Core Strategy 2013 and the Development Management Policies (DMP) 2016. With an HDT score of just 28%, Eastbourne has one of the worst housing delivery records in England. The tilted balance is strongly engaged, making it one of the most favourable councils in the region for residential applicants.

Key design and amenity policies

• CS1 Sustainable development — the overarching sustainability policy. Requires development to demonstrate a positive contribution to sustainable development objectives.
• CS3 Built environment and design — primary design policy in the Core Strategy. Requires proposals to achieve high quality design that enhances local distinctiveness.
• DMP3 Design quality — supplements CS3 in the DMP. Addresses scale, massing, materials, and townscape impact in more detail.
• DMP4 Residential amenity — protects the amenity of existing and future residents. Sets out requirements for daylight, outlook, privacy, and noise.
• CS14 Historic environment — protects Eastbourne's conservation areas and listed buildings. The town centre conservation area and several seafront areas are subject to heightened scrutiny.

Lewes District Council

Lewes operates under the Joint Core Strategy 2016 (Part 1) and the Local Plan Part 2 2020. The district includes the South Downs National Park in its southern portion — applications within the National Park are determined by the South Downs National Park Authority, not Lewes District Council. Lewes town itself has an extensive conservation area and numerous listed buildings. A new local plan is at Reg 19 stage in Spring 2026.

Key design and amenity policies

• CP4 Design — the primary design policy from the Joint Core Strategy. Requires proposals to be of high quality, respect local character, and contribute positively to the built environment.
• CP14 Heritage and the historic environment — protects designated heritage assets across the district. Essential for applications in Lewes town conservation area or involving listed buildings.
• DM1 General development principles — the overarching development management policy in Part 2. Addresses design, amenity, access, and sustainability across all applications.
• DM20 Design standards — supplements CP4 with detailed design requirements. Addresses scale, materials, boundary treatments, and landscape.
• DM22 Residential amenity — sets out amenity standards for new development and extensions, including daylight, outlook, and privacy requirements.

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