The site where these two chalet bungalows have been built was the home of the Hailsham Branch of the St John Ambulance Brigade and housed a meeting room and garage for their ambulance. Some years ago the building was declared surplus to requirements and following the sale of the land Dowsett Associates were commissioned by the new owners to seek planning permission for demolition of the building and the erection of two detached cottage style dwellings.

Approval was granted for the development and building regulation drawings were then commissioned and approval obtained in 2009. The dwellings were completed in June 2010.

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Dowsett Associates is proud to have been appointed as planning advisers and architectural consultants by the new owner of Belle Tout – the former lighthouse on the cliffs above Beachy Head.

The iconic building has an interesting history and was visited by King George V and Queen Mary in 1932 and also purchased by the BBC and used as the set for “Life and Loves of a She Devil” in 1986.

More recently in 1999 the lighthouse was moved inland away from the cliff edge in order to avoid its falling into the sea. As it is a Grade 2 Listed Building and an Ancient Monument its preservation was very important to the nation’s heritage.

The new owners of Belle Tout decided to proceed with its conversion to a Bed and Breakfast establishment and Dowsett Associates were commissioned to enter into talks with Eastbourne Borough Council’s Planning Department and prepare the necessary drawings to obtain all necessary consents including planning permission and listed building consent for the conversion.

A detailed layout of the internal arrangements was designed in order to provide the appropriate accommodation for guests and staff and this included all building regulation drawings from which the builders worked to carry out the changes. Pictures below show the building before conversion and after the works had been completed. Plan copies are also set out to show the details of the building regulation drawings. The building is due to open in April 2010 following completion of the new access across the downland to Belle Tout. For futher details please visit the main Belle Tout website Here...

Dowsett Associates have been dealing with planning and architectural matters for the owners of the English Wine Centre for the past ten years. Following a change of ownership in 2008 discussions took place with the local planning authority and eventually permission was obtained for the demolition of the single storey Dawes Barn which was used as a function room and its replacement with a two storey building with enlarged function room and kitchen and tourist accommodation with 6 bedrooms on the second floor

Dowsett Associates also prepared the building regulation drawings and instructed JMLA (Structural Engineers) of Bexhill to prepare the supporting structural calculations. Contracts are shortly to be let for the construction of the new building and completion is aimed for 2011.