West Sussex
A county of gentle downland and heritage coast in South East England, from the South Downs to the cathedral city of Chichester.
Planning Permission in West Sussex
Planning permission in West Sussex is obtained from the relevant district or borough council, or from the South Downs National Park Authority for sites within the national park boundary. West Sussex County Council administers minerals and waste planning and highways, but all residential planning decisions are made at district or national park level.
Chichester District Council's planning pages provide access to its adopted Local Plan: Key Policies (2014-2029). The council is preparing a new Chichester Local Plan to replace this document. Design Policy 33 (New Residential Development) requires development to be of high quality and to respond positively to local character. The council's Chichester Design Guide provides detailed guidance on residential design quality in the district's varied settlement types, from Chichester city to the coastal resort of Bognor Regis and the rural villages of the coastal plain.
Horsham District Council's planning pages cover one of West Sussex's most active self-build markets. The council's adopted Local Plan Horsham District Planning Framework (2011-2031) includes policies addressing self-build and custom housebuilding. The council has an adopted Custom and Self Build Action Plan that sets out how it intends to meet its Right to Build obligations and to support the delivery of self-build plots within its housing allocations.
Community Infrastructure Levy is charged by all seven West Sussex district and borough councils. Rates vary significantly across the county, reflecting differences in land values between the high-demand coastal and commuter areas and the more rural districts. The self-build CIL exemption is available from all charging authorities. Chichester District Council's CIL rates reflect the relatively high land values of this desirable coastal district.
The South Downs National Park Authority's planning portal provides access to the South Downs Local Plan (2014-2033). The park authority's design guide and supplementary planning documents address the design quality expectations for residential development within the national park. Pre-application advice from the authority is essential before any design investment for proposals within the park boundary.
Chichester Harbour AONB Management Plan is a material consideration for all planning applications within or affecting the AONB. The AONB Partnership can advise on design and ecological requirements at the pre-application stage. Applications within the AONB must demonstrate how the proposal conserves and enhances the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the harbour landscape.
Validation requirements across West Sussex's planning authorities include a completed application form, location and site plans, a design and access statement, and the statutory fee. Additional requirements include heritage impact assessments for Chichester city and the county's other historic settlements, ecological surveys for sites near Chichester Harbour SPA or the South Downs habitats, and flood risk assessments for coastal and riverside sites in the Adur, Arun and Lavant catchments.
Chichester District Council's planning pages provide access to its adopted Local Plan: Key Policies (2014-2029). The council is preparing a new Chichester Local Plan to replace this document. Design Policy 33 (New Residential Development) requires development to be of high quality and to respond positively to local character. The council's Chichester Design Guide provides detailed guidance on residential design quality in the district's varied settlement types, from Chichester city to the coastal resort of Bognor Regis and the rural villages of the coastal plain.
Horsham District Council's planning pages cover one of West Sussex's most active self-build markets. The council's adopted Local Plan Horsham District Planning Framework (2011-2031) includes policies addressing self-build and custom housebuilding. The council has an adopted Custom and Self Build Action Plan that sets out how it intends to meet its Right to Build obligations and to support the delivery of self-build plots within its housing allocations.
Community Infrastructure Levy is charged by all seven West Sussex district and borough councils. Rates vary significantly across the county, reflecting differences in land values between the high-demand coastal and commuter areas and the more rural districts. The self-build CIL exemption is available from all charging authorities. Chichester District Council's CIL rates reflect the relatively high land values of this desirable coastal district.
The South Downs National Park Authority's planning portal provides access to the South Downs Local Plan (2014-2033). The park authority's design guide and supplementary planning documents address the design quality expectations for residential development within the national park. Pre-application advice from the authority is essential before any design investment for proposals within the park boundary.
Chichester Harbour AONB Management Plan is a material consideration for all planning applications within or affecting the AONB. The AONB Partnership can advise on design and ecological requirements at the pre-application stage. Applications within the AONB must demonstrate how the proposal conserves and enhances the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the harbour landscape.
Validation requirements across West Sussex's planning authorities include a completed application form, location and site plans, a design and access statement, and the statutory fee. Additional requirements include heritage impact assessments for Chichester city and the county's other historic settlements, ecological surveys for sites near Chichester Harbour SPA or the South Downs habitats, and flood risk assessments for coastal and riverside sites in the Adur, Arun and Lavant catchments.
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