Appealing a Lewes refusal
Most householder refusals in Lewes — Lewes, Newhaven, Seaford and Peacehaven and the surrounding area — turn on a handful of issues: design and character, neighbour amenity, and impact on constraints like South Downs National Park (park area administered by SDNPA, not the district). An appeal succeeds when it takes each reason for refusal in turn and rebuts it on the policy, with specifics. Buildwise reads the decision notice, identifies the policies the council relied on, and builds the grounds of appeal around them.
Grounded in Lewes's own policies
Buildwise cites the same Lewes policies the officer used — for example DM25 (Design), DM28 (Residential Extensions), CP11 (Built and Historic Environment and High Quality Design) — and shows how the proposal complies, rather than restating the application. Everything is quoted from the adopted plan and verified, never invented, so the Inspector sees a policy-anchored case.
- 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
Buildwise reads Lewes's reasons for refusal and the policies cited.
A short, site-specific questionnaire.
A structured statement rebutting each refusal reason — download, edit, or submit.
Example (excerpt)
"The reason for refusal cites Policy DM25 (Design). The proposal in fact accords with DM25: the subordinate form and matching materials respond to the host dwelling and street scene, and the amenity concern is answered by the separation distances set out below, engaging Policy DM28…"
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Householder and minor-development refusals are appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, usually within 12 weeks (householder) of the decision. Buildwise drafts the grounds of appeal, cited to Lewes's policies and the NPPF.
The same policies the officer relied on in the refusal — typically DM25 (Design), DM28 (Residential Extensions), CP11 (Built and Historic Environment and High Quality Design) from the Lewes District Local Plan Part 1: Joint Core Strategy 2010-2030 (adopted May 2016) and Lewes District Local Plan Part 2 (adopted February 2020) — plus the NPPF.
Minutes. Upload the decision notice, confirm the scheme, and Buildwise builds a structured grounds-of-appeal statement rebutting each reason for refusal.
Your first statement is free, no card needed.
Draft your Lewes appeal — first statement free.
Your first document is free — on our most advanced AI. No card needed.
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