Permitted development in Lewes
Many home extensions across Lewes — Lewes, Newhaven, Seaford and Peacehaven and the surrounding area — are "permitted development" and don't need a planning application, as long as they stay inside the GPDO 2015 limits. But those rights are reduced or removed by a conservation area, an Article 4 direction, or being in South Downs National Park (park area administered by SDNPA, not the district). Buildwise reads your postcode, flags the constraints that apply in Lewes, and tells you where you stand — free.
Lawful in Lewes — and provable
If your project is permitted development, a Lawful Development Certificate is a formal Lewes confirmation that it's lawful — invaluable when you sell, and proof if a neighbour ever questions it. If you need Prior Approval (like a larger rear extension) Buildwise produces the right statement for that instead. Where a full application is needed, it engages Lewes's adopted policies (DM25 (Design), DM28 (Residential Extensions)) directly.
- Lewes District Local Plan Part 1: Joint Core Strategy 2010-2030 (adopted May 2016)
- Lewes District Local Plan Part 2 (adopted February 2020)
How it works
Postcode + project type; Lewes constraints detected automatically.
Sizes, heights and boundaries — a few minutes.
Permitted → LDC statement; needs prior approval or permission → the right document for that.
Example (excerpt)
"The single-storey rear extension does not exceed the depth, height and eaves limits of Class A of the GPDO 2015, and the site lies outside any Article 4 direction. The proposal is therefore lawful development, for which a certificate is sought under s.192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990…"
Frequently asked questions
Run Buildwise's free permitted-development check for your Lewes postcode. It tests your project against the GPDO 2015 limits and flags local constraints — conservation areas, Article 4 directions and the South Downs National Park (park area administered by SDNPA, not the district) — that can remove permitted-development rights.
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is a formal confirmation from Lewes that your work is lawful permitted development. It isn't compulsory, but it's strongly recommended — especially before selling. Buildwise generates the supporting statement.
Larger rear extensions and some other classes need a prior-approval notification rather than a full application. Buildwise detects this and produces the right supporting statement.
Yes — the permitted development check is always free. If you go on to generate a DAS or appeal, your first document is free too.
Check your Lewes project free — no card needed.
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