A sideways look at Lewes life. Viva Lewes, the new weekly what’s on guide for those who’ve chosen to live in the Lewes district. We say ‘chosen’ because whether you have moved here or stayed on here, you have decided to make this beautiful and vibrant part of the world your home. Viva Lewes is for local people and supports local businesses and products.

ZEDfactory is the first ethical developer with a built in supply chain known as ZEDproducts. This toolkit combines to produce the ZED in a Box range of standard house types. Each house type has been priced by a national contractor. This makes it possible to order the most advanced, proven green lifestyle with total confidence.

All over the world there is increasing demand from all sides for more local involvement in the planning and management of the environment. It is widely recognised that this is the only way that people will get the surroundings they want. And it is now seen as the best way of ensuring that communities become safer, stronger, wealthier and more sustainable. But how should it be done? How can local people ? wherever they live ? best involve themselves in the complexities of architecture, planning and urban design? How can professionals best build on local knowledge and resources?

The Local Plan Team at Lewes District Council

Debbie Portchmouth (Principal Planning Officer)
Residential Development
Economic Activity

Will Jewell (Senior Planning Officer)
Recreation and Community Services

James Mant (Senior Planning Officer)
The Historic Environment
Transport and Communications

Kate Poole (Senior Planning Officer)
Environmental Principles
The Coast and Countryside

English Heritage exists to protect and promote England's spectacular historic environment and ensure that its past is researched and understood. It is the Government's statutory adviser on the historic environment. Officially known as the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, English Heritage is an Executive Non-departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Our powers and responsibilities are set out in the National Heritage Act (1983) and today we report to Parliament through the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

BBM Sustainable Design is a Lewes-based firm of architects, who are being consulted by the developer regarding sustainability issues. They were formed around a deeply felt agenda to pursue a more environmentally benign architecture which adheres to a rigorous methodology and high aesthetic standards.

Norman Baker says "I am very grateful for the trust you have shown by re-electing me, with a majority of over 8000. I shall continue to do my best for you, my constituents, no matter which party you support. Representing you in Parliament is an honour, but the best part of my job is the contact I have with constituents locally. Each week I receive up to 400 letters, cards and emails from you, and I am able to meet many more of you at events, surgeries and other meetings around the constituency. I do not claim to be successful every time in getting solutions, but I always try my best to be helpful. Thank you for all the kind comments many of you have sent in. Please do contact me if you feel I can be of any help to you."

Our surroundings matter. The historic environment contributes to successful regeneration because people enjoy living in old places with a story to tell. The historic environment is an asset not a liability. It attracts companies to locate, businesses to invest and tourists to visit. Market values in historic areas are higher than elsewhere. Heritage is the bedrock of our tourism industry. The historic environment is sustainable. Re-use of historic buildings minimises the exploitation of resources. There is evidence of lower maintenance costs for older houses. New development occurs in historic settings, not in isolation. High quality and imaginative new design that relates to its context will have greater aesthetic, economic and social value. We should provide, as well as preserve, significant places for future generations.

The West Sussex Design Commission hopes to be able to have a strong influence on the way we build in the future. It is funded by West Sussex County Council, and is being watched with interest by all the local District and Borough Councils. It remains independent, but it is well placed to affect both policy and practice throughout the county. Its aim is to raise quality, irrespective of the number of new homes or other buildings.

Situated in South East England, between Continental Europe and London, East Sussex is undergoing a renaissance with major investment being realised across the county. Now is the time to capitalise on this and take advantage of the new commercial developments, advanced ICT infrastructure and financial incentives.