Do I Need Planning Permission

Following recent changes introduced by Government, there is now significantly more flexibility as to what can be built without the need for a planning application to be submitted to the Council for consideration.

It is possible to make various types of changes to your house and other commercial buildings, without having to apply for planning permission. These changes are called, permitted development rights. Guidance on rules that relate to permitted development are found on the Planning Portal.

For more information on what you can and can't do - please take a look at:

• Do I Need Planning Permission?
• Further guidance from Government on the new Regulations

A formal decision on whether planning permission is required can be obtained through the submission of an application for a Lawful Development Certificate.

If you would like an officer’s informal opinion on whether planning permission is needed, please complete our online form. A charge of £35 is made for a response by letter or £70 for a virtual meeting and letter. All fees must be received before advice will be given.

Do i need planning permission? online enquiry form

Please note: You may still need Building regulation approval. Please visit out Building Control FAQs page for more information.

In some cases your property may be tied to a restriction and you will need to Apply for planning permission. See below for more details.

Development rights are more restrictive in the case of:

• Listed Buildings
• Conservation areas
• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Article 4

In some areas permitted development rights have been removed by an 'Article 4' direction. This means that you have to submit a planning application for work which normally does not need one.

Additionally you should check that permitted development rights have not been removed by a planning condition for the development of the original dwelling. Please contact us using the information below for further information.

For example: Permitted development rights have been removed for many types of domestic development within both the Cuckfield and Lindfield conservation areas.

Check below to see if your property is within such an area:

• PR-00074-ART4 – Butlers Green House, Haywards Heath
• PR-00075-ART4 – Ham Farm, Scaynes Hill
• PR-00076-ART4 – Newlands, West Hoathly
• PR-00077-ART4 – Hammingden Lane, West Hoathly
• PR-00078-ART4 – St Marks Church, Staplefield
• PR-00079-ART4 – Rushfield Nurseries, Poynings
• PR-00080-ART4 – Clayton Court Farm, Coldharbour Farm, Clayton
• PR-00081-ART4 – Hanbury Park, Haywards Heath
• PR-00082-ART4 – Southdown Farm, Keymer
• PR-00083-ART4 – Land Rear of Cobbetts Mead, Haywards Heath
• PR-00084-ART4 – Land at Rose Cottage Lane, Staplefield
• PR-00085-ART4 – Land at Sunrise Farm, Cuckfield
• PR-00086-ART4 – Land at Vowels Lane, West Hoathly
• PR-00087-ART4 – Land off Bylanes Close, Cuckfield
• PR-00088-ART4 – Bethany,Crawley Down
• PR-00089-ART4 – Walstead Place Farm, Haywards Heath, Lindfield
• PR-00090-ART4 – Land at Fairlight Farm, East Grinstead – Order No 1
• PR-00091-ART4 – Cuckfield Conservation Area
• PR-00092-ART4 – Lindfield Conservation Area – Original Designation
• PR-01452-ART4 – Transferred Land from Wealden
• PR-01453-ART4 – Transferred Land from Tandridge
• PR-01454-ART4 – Danny, Parkland, Hurstpierpoint
• PR-01455-ART4 – Transferred Land from Tandridge
• PR-01461-ART4 – Lindfield Conservation Area – Extension
• PR-01461-ART4 – Land at Fairlight Farm, East Grinstead – Order No 2
• PR-01648-ART4 – Royal Oak Public House, Crawley Down

Planning
Tel: 01444-477566
Email: planninginfo@midsussex.gov.uk