A planning application has been submitted that proposes the demolition of The Dewdrop Inn on Steyning Avenue in Peacehaven, igniting significant local dissent. Blue Skies Brighton Ltd, the current owner, filed the application with Lewes District Council on April 14, 2023, and it was validated by the council on May 6. This proposed redevelopment would replace the historic pub with a structure comprising 14 flats, alongside flexible community and office space at ground level, off-street vehicle parking, bike storage, and enhanced landscaping.
The design, developed by Mackellar Schwerdt Architects, aims to provide a mix of dwelling types, including seven one-bedroom, six two-bedroom, and one three-bedroom flat. In an effort to contribute to the community, the ground floor is intended for shared use, featuring offices, meeting rooms, and storage facilities. However, the architects noted that the pub "cannot sustain full-day opening hours every day of the week" due to a steady decline in patronage, compounded by rising operational costs that have rendered its future “untenable.”
The Dewdrop Inn, a notable establishment in the local community, has had a tumultuous operational history. Following the departure of its long-term tenant, who managed the pub for over 50 years until early February 2023, the premises were managed by a series of temporary tenants until early February 2024. Since the end of the pandemic, the pub has operated on a limited schedule, indicating a shift in its viability as a business.
Nevertheless, the planning application has faced vehement opposition from the local community. At the time of drafting, eight comments from local residents had been logged, each voicing their objection to the pub's demolition. Lewis Mackay, a resident, highlighted the pub's historical significance as the oldest building in Peacehaven, arguing for its preservation or respectful repurposing rather than its demolition. Nick Proud echoed this sentiment, expressing concern over the potential for overlooking neighbouring properties and insufficient parking provisions linked to the proposed development.
Paul Fogarty, another local resident, articulated his dismay, stating that the destruction of the pub would lead to significant stress among those living nearby, particularly regarding the potential overshadowing of homes and gardens by the new structure. Fogarty emphasised the pub's 100-year history, imploring that it should be restored instead of being replaced by what he described as an "ugly building."
The sentiments expressed by these residents reflect a broader concern regarding the balance between development and the preservation of local heritage, a tension that has been evident in recent planning decisions within Peacehaven. In November 2020, plans to demolish the Sussex Coaster pub and replace it with a 17-unit apartment building were approved, despite local pushback regarding the impact on community character and infrastructure. Such developments are often met with mixed reactions, as communities grapple with the pressing need for housing alongside the desire to maintain their distinctive local features.
Meanwhile, the council has been under increasing pressure to address the housing shortage in the area, with recent approvals for various developments, including a scheme in Portslade for 28 affordable flats and a community centre. This highlights the dual challenge of meeting housing needs while also respecting and preserving community identity, a balancing act that local councils must navigate carefully.
As the Dewdrop Inn planning application moves through the evaluation process, it remains to be seen whether the voices of concerned residents will significantly influence the outcome, or if the pressing demands for housing will ultimately prevail over the calls for preservation. The situation continues to unfold, with many eyes on the council as it assesses the merits of this controversial proposal.
Reference Map
- Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Paragraph 6
- Paragraph 7
- Paragraph 8
Source: Noah Wire Services