Peacehaven & Telscombe Neighbourhood Plan

Introduction

A Neighbourhood Plan lets local communities directly control how their area is developed and protected. Once approved, local councils must legally follow its policies when approving or rejecting building projects.

The Neighbourhood Development Plan was set up in 2013 to cover the designated area of Peacehaven and Telscombe Towns planning boundaries.

Peacehaven Town Council was the responsible authority and therefore took the lead in applying for all grants and technical consultancy work.

Because of the size of the area and population, the plan had always been considered complex. Infrastructure limitations, particularly along the A259 coastal road, added to the difficulties and complexities. The production of the plan was also affected by the Covid pandemic, which had to a great extent limited face-to-face meetings.

The draft Neighbourhood Development Plan was submitted to Lewes District Council (LDC) as the Local Planning Authority for Submission (Regulation 16) consultation, including with other neighbouring planning authorities. LDC was responsible for the process and the financing of that stage. All comments were collated by LDC and sent with the Draft NDP unchanged to an independent Examiner. The Examiner was jointly appointed by the Town and District Councils and paid for by a Government Grant.

The Peacehaven & Telscombe Neighbourhood Plan Referendum was held on the 7th May 2026 with one simple question asked:

“Do you want Lewes District Council and the South Downs National Park Authority to use the Neighbourhood Development Plan for Peacehaven and Telscombe to help them decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

The result was a majority YES vote, with 73.27% of voters infavour. A total of 7,505 votes were cast, representing a 42% turnout.

Declaration of Result of Poll- Peacehaven and Telscombe

On the 24th June 2026, Lewes District Council (LDC) decided to ‘make’ (adopt) the Peacehaven and Telscombe Neighbourhood Plan (the Plan) under 38A(4)(a) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and under Regulation 19 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

Peacehaven and Telscombe Neighbourhood Development Plan Decision Statement

The Plan now forms part of the adopted Development Plan.

Peacehaven & Telscombe Neighbourhood Plan

Introduction

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