HISTORY
A Historic Information Plaque in Lewes Conservation Area was added to Knowlands facing Stewards Inn Lane by the Friends of Lewes in 2016. The original slaughterhouse was owned by Marsh the Butcher, whose shop was at No 50 High Street LEWES until its closure during World War II. The property name is derived from Knowlands, the working farm and farmhouse sited between Barcombe and Spithurst, where the animals were reared to supply the slaughterhouse and Marsh’s Butchers’ Shop at No 50 High Street LEWES.
The site is within an area of Archaeological potential close to the historic core of the medieval and post-medieval town of Lewes,situated close to the scheduled remains of Lewes Castle. St Martin’s Lane itself preserves the route of one of a number of parallel Saxon lanes that run southwards from the High Street. Cartographic evidence suggests that a building has occupied the plot since at least 1725.
The original slaughterhouse was separated after WWII into 2 separate residential units with the north facing wall onto Stewards Inn Lane. The eastern range was converted to a separate dwelling in 1962 but created a range of small spaces not commensurate with modern spatial requirements taking little advantage of the landscape setting and fine views to the south.
PROPOSAL
The approved design opens up the interior to enable a generous kitchen dining living area with convenient service and storage accommodation in a semi circular range. Clients and their guests enter the building either using the original garden side door into a tall glazed 2 storey stair hall with an open tread staircase rising up to the main accommodation, or when children wet dogs & muddy boots arrive at the house they can enter from Stewards Inn Lane at courtyard level so that coats, boots are neatly placed in storage before entering the principal area of the main house.
CONSULTANTS
Archaeology WSI: Paul Riccoboni / Dr Crister Carlsson : https://www.independent-archaeology.com/
Energy Assessor: Joe Solti of Thermenergy : http://www.thermenergy.co.uk/
Geotechnical and Foundation Consultant : Dr. W Keith Elson
Consulting Structural Engineer: Philip Young of DHK Ltd: https://www.dhk.co.uk/
CONTRACTOR
Main Contractor: MB Cable Ltd: http://www.mbcableltd.co.uk/
3D IMAGES OF EXISTING BUILDING
3D IMAGES OF PROPOSED EXTENSION
