Windows and doors in Ringmer, three miles east of Lewes

Ringmer is the one large village in this list that sits outside the South Downs National Park. When the boundary was drawn, the Inspector set it to follow the south-eastern and western edges of the village closely, and the parish neighbourhood plan records that more than 98 per cent of parish residents live outside the Park. So for windows here the planning authority is Lewes District Council.

The Green and the older village

The historic core is around Ringmer Green, and that is where the conservation area is. Lewes District Council designated it on 16 June 1976. It is small, about fifteen hectares, and holds fifteen listed buildings, among them the parish church of St Mary the Virgin at Grade I, Little Manor at Grade II*, the Cheyney Charity Almshouses, and the village well house and pump on the Green. Lewes District Council's Article 4 register lists no direction for Ringmer, so an unlisted house by the Green keeps its normal permitted development rights for windows of similar appearance. A listed one needs listed building consent from the district council.

Delves House was the home of Rebecca Snooke, aunt of the naturalist Gilbert White, and her tortoise Timothy, which White later took to Selborne, is the village's emblem.

The estates

The neighbourhood plan says planned development since the mid-1960s has doubled the size of the village by allowing commuter housing. Turnpike Close in Broyleside is a 1960s estate, the Delves estate is reached by North Road, and later estate roads lead off old country lanes such as Bishops Lane and Harrisons Lane. The plan allocated land for at least 240 more homes. This is where most Ringmer window work is: 1960s and 1970s semis and detached houses whose early replacement windows are now due for renewal, and newer houses wanting an upgrade.

What usually suits a Ringmer house

For the 1960s and 1970s houses, white chamfered or flush uPVC casements and a composite front door are the common choice, with no planning question to answer. For the older cottages near the Green, a flush casement with slim bars looks closer to the original timber. For listed houses, timber made to the old pattern. Ringmer is about three miles east of Lewes; Wikipedia has more on the history of Ringmer.

An example from Ringmer

Illustrative example of a typical job

Whole-house casements and a front door for a 1960s semi in Ringmer

House: A 1960s semi-detached house on one of the estates built as Ringmer doubled in size, outside the conservation area around the Green.

Spec: Seven chamfered uPVC casements in white, 1000 by 1200, and one composite front door.

Typically £7,900 to £12,400, supplied and fitted, including VAT.

Ringmer village sits outside the National Park, so any planning question goes to Lewes District Council.