The site has an area of approximately 0.4 acres (0.16 hectares, measured off plan) and is on an elevated south facing slope with prospects of dwellings having exceptional views of the South Downs and river valley from upper floors. The indicative boundaries of the site for sale are shown in red and blue on the attached plan.
TOWN PLANNING The local Planning Authority is South Downs National Park. The site falls within the grounds of a Grade ll listed hotel fronting High Street, and the whole property is within the Lewes Conservation Area and Lewes Article 4 direction area. However, the whole of the property was identified without encouragement within the 2016 South Downs National Park SHLAA (pages 94 & 95 of Appendix D) as Site LE 103 as having ‘potential’ for an estimated 20 dwellings within 0-5 years. The balance of the land within Site LE103 compromises a Grade ll listed hotel. n.
( Agency Pilot Software Ref: 16850 )
Location
Lewes, the historic county town of East Sussex sitting in the heart of the South Downs National Park, is steeped in history and heritage and has a flourishing cultural scene. The affluent population of 17,000 benefits from a mainline railway station and easy access to the A27 and A23/M23 corridor. Brighton and Hove, Crawley, Gatwick airport, Eastbourne and the M25 are within easy reach.
The town has well regarded local schools and the site is approximately 5 miles from University of Sussex and 7 miles from University of Brighton (Mithras House). The site is within the historic core of the historic county town, located just off High Street and 0.2 miles from the mainline railway station.
Accommodation
Conservatory (excluding external terrace) 78.3 sq m (842 sq ft )
Function Room (clear span) 220.4 sq m (2,372 sq ft )
Basement store (estimated) 100.0 sq m(1,076 sq ft )
Total Gross Internal floor area of the rear extension 398.7 sq m(4,290 sq ft )
External Terrace 129.1 sq m (1,389sq m)
Terms
TENURE AND TITLE The indicative boundaries of the freehold site for sale are shown in red and blue on the attached plan. The site will have vehicular and pedestrian access via two driveways, one on to the High Street and one on to Station Street, both shown hatched green.
CURRENT INCOME The freehold is offered for sale with vacant possession upon completion, with the exception of a hotel booking agreement (as against a lease) of the whole of the detached Annexe to an institution. The institution has occupied the whole of the Annexe on a year by year hotel booking since September 2016, and has indicated a wish for this arrangement to continue for years to come. The institution pays £217,620 per annum (exclusive of VAT) inclusive of electricity, water, heating, wifi and a fortnightly chamber maid service. We are told that servicing of this hotel arrangement could be undertaken by a part-time off-site chamber maid in around 1 ½ days per week. 10% of the above £217,620 hotel booking charge was paid in March 2019. The balance is payable in ten equal monthly payments of £19,585.80, starting on 1st September 2019. The hotel booking to the institution is more accurately for the periods: 21st September 2019 to 14th December 2019 (12 weeks) and 22nd January 2020 to 20th June 2020 (less than 22 weeks) This leaves the rooms available for regular hotel bookings from mid-December through much of January for Christmas B&B trade. A copy of the agreement with the institution can be made available when viewing the property.
EPC An EPC for the Annexe will be available upon request.
Specification
• First time available for 30 years
• A significant residential development site in one of the south-east's premier housing markets, 8.5 miles from Brighton.
• 0.4 acres on a south facing slope in the core of the historic county town of Lewes
• Very close to both the historic High Street and the mainline railway station
• Currently 14,169 sq ft of accommodation and over 32 parking spaces (but little need for them)
• Identified in a 2016 SHLAA as having potential for 20 dwellings within 0-5 years
• Year to year institutional income of £217,620 per annum