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Understanding Planning

Local Planning

Considering making changes to your property? You may need planning permission.

Here’s a useful guide to help you through the process for Horsham District Council (HDC) and the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA).

For planning, Pulborough Parish is split between HDC and the SDNPA, if you’re unsure which authority applies, the SDNPA boundary map is the fastest way to check: https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning-process/residents/

Planning Applications in Horsham District (outside the National Park) 

If your property is not within the South Downs National Park, your planning authority is HDC.

The basic process:

  1. Check if you need permission - many small works fall under permitted development. HDC provides guidance and links to the national Planning Portal.
  2. If you do need planning permission, prepare your documents. This usually includes:
  • Site location plan
  • Existing and proposed drawings
  • Design & Access Statement (for some applications)
  • Supporting reports (heritage, ecology, drainage) if relevant
  1. Submit your application - applications are submitted online via the Planning Portal, which routes them to HDC.
  2. Validation - the council checks your documents. If anything is missing, they’ll ask for it before the application is validated.
  3. Public consultation - neighbours, parish councils, and statutory bodies are notified. Comments are invited for 21 days.
  4. Pulborough Parish Council holds planning meetings every three weeks to consider local planning applications – check pulboroughparishcouncil.gov.uk for dates. These are meetings held in public. You can attend to speak about your application and hear it being considered and the decision made by the planning committee. After the parish planning meeting the decision is then sent to Horsham District Planning team for their assessment.
  5. Assessment and decision - a planning officer assesses the proposal against local and national policy. Decisions are usually made within:
  • 8 weeks for household/residential applications
  • 13 weeks for major applications

For more information, go to Horsham District Council planning guidance: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/planning

 

Planning Applications in the South Downs National Park

If your property lies within the SDNP boundary, the planning authority is the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) — even if your postal address is in Horsham District.

The basic process:

  1. Check if you need permission - https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning-process/do-i-need-planning-permission/
  2. The process is similar to HDC but with additional concern for:
    1. Landscape impact
    2. Dark skies
    3. Heritage and conservation
    4. Biodiversity and ecosystem services
  3. If you do need planning permission, prepare your documents. This usually includes:
  • Site location plan
  • Existing and proposed drawings
  • Design & Access Statement (for some applications)
  • Supporting reports (heritage, ecology, drainage) if relevant
  1. Pre-application advice (recommended) - Because of the protected landscape, early advice can save time and cost.
  2. Submit your application - applications are submitted via the Planning Portal but processed by SDNPA or a partner district council acting on their behalf.
  3. Validation and consultation - Similar to HDC, but with additional consultees such as Natural England or SDNPA landscape officers.
  4. Decision - determined by SDNPA or delegated officers. Timescales follow national standards (8 or 13 weeks).

For more information go to: https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning