Ashdown was built in 1793, a prototype for the US Capitol and the White House. It’s one of only two Latrobe buildings in Europe, and a place of refinement, beauty and innovation.

But now it’s under threat — and we need your help.

“Ashdown and Hammerwood [its sister house] are two of the most remarkable buildings for their date in the British Isles.”

— Professor James Stevens Curl MRIA FSA FSA Scot FRIAS (b. 1937)

“Ashdown is very perfect indeed.”

— Sir Nikolaus Pevsner CBE FBA (1902–83)

What you need to know

Ashdown House, a mile east of Forest Row, East Sussex, was built in 1793 by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. Often known there as ‘America’s first architect’, Latrobe’s lasting legacy was in the United States, where he introduced the Greek Revival style to public architecture, designed the porticos of the White House in Washington D.C., was responsible for the design and construction of large parts of the U.S. Capitol (including the House of Representatives and Supreme Court chambers), and defined the aesthetic of the new republic.

Ashdown also incorporates a Tudor house as part of a manor first recorded in occupation in 1285. It is a profoundly and internationally significant historic site. It is one of only two Latrobe buildings in Europe, and his work is preserved better at Ashdown than anywhere else in the world, including at the Capitol.

The building was used as a school from 1886 to 2020. Due to the Covid pandemic, the Prep Schools Trust took the decision to close the school, and to sell Ashdown in order to consolidate the group’s debts. It was purchased by Even Ashdown Ltd, a development firm beneficially owned by Nicholas Lebetkin, Olivier Levenfiche and Alon Hershkorn, for £4.95 million in November 2021.

The developer has applied to Wealden District Council to build 47 residential units within the historic house and around the site, and to convert Ashdown’s historic and beautiful Chapel, built as a war memorial to the fallen of the First and Second World Wars, into a flat.

As a Trust, we consider that these plans would do irreparable and severe damage to the historic fabric of an internationally significant building, and that such a sensitive site is inappropriate for low-quality, suburban development. In summary, and on the basis of continued professional advice, the Trust continues to consider that the proposals breach or fail to meet the requirements of 41 local and national planning policies, and that there are several technical flaws within the applications.

This is a campaign for a viable, sustainable alternative for this very significant historic site, which has been a school for 140 years and is accessible only by a single-track bridleway which is not fit for the 120 cars which such a development would see coming and going from the site multiple times per day. You can find out more about why Ashdown matters here. Britain desperately needs more homes, but this does not create a moral imperative, or excuse, to desecrate heritage in order to make up the numbers.

The developer also proposes to destroy a theatre and a swimming pool. In total the demolition works would create 3,573 tonnes of waste. The natural use for this site, accounting for its heritage and restricted access, is clearly to remain in educational or institutional use.

You can find links to our social media pages, and more information about Ashdown – and how you can help – on our Linktree page.

Ashdown might currently be owned by a housing developer, but it’s ours to save. See the pages below for more details.

What happens next

The formal deadline for public comment to Wealden District Council was 23.59, Friday 16 August 2024, but further comments may still be considered at this stage. See the how you can help page for how to have your say if you haven’t already done so.

The course of events is now likely to be thus:

Planning officers review comments: Wealden’s planning officers will now review all the comments submitted by the public, statutory consultees (e.g. Highways, Historic England, the Georgian Group, etc). You can view these yourself on the planning application pages through the Council’s system here (planning application) and here (listed building consent).
Planning officers draft their report: the officers will then write a report, including analysis of the applications and their conformity with local and national planning policy, and the public and consultee comments. Their report will contain a recommendation on whether to approve or refuse the application.
Planning Committee North meeting: this is categorised as a ‘major’ planning application. The Council’s decision is therefore likely to be made by Wealden’s Planning Committee North, which is comprised of elected district councillors. The committee meeting is likely to be public; it will consider the officers’ report, followed by a discussion among the committee members.
Decision: The planning committee will vote on whether to grant or refuse planning permission. The decision could be deferred if more information or amendments are requested, although we note that these applications were made in December 2022; almost two years ago - a timely decision is now required.
Issue of Decision Notice: If planning permission were to be granted, a decision notice would be issued, often with conditions attached, with which the developer is legally required to comply. If permission is refused, the notice will set out the reasons for refusal.
Potential appeals: If the application were to be refused or the applicant were dissatisfied with the conditions imposed, they may appeal the decision to the Planning Inspectorate. The public and other interested parties are invited to participate in the appeal process.
Judicial Review: If planning permission is granted, interested parties may seek a judicial review on the grounds of legal or technical errors in the decision-making process.

We’ll keep you updated. The campaign now moves to a new stage as we engage with local councillors, MPs and ministers, and other heritage organisations; it will be some time before the decision is made, and your support will be valuable. Keep checking this website, our social media and and sign up for our newsletter; we’ll let you know how you can help.

No one person or organisation alone will be enough to sway this decision; we’re most powerful when we work together. Your voice will continue to be needed to secure a viable future for Ashdown. Thank you for all your support so far.