Planning Consultants in West Sussex
West Sussex spans from the South Downs National Park in the north to the coastal strip around Worthing, Bognor, and Chichester. Chichester District is subject to particular housing delivery challenges due to infrastructure constraints. The county has strong equestrian and agricultural planning activity in its rural areas and significant residential demand throughout.
Common in West Sussex
Local planning authority: West Sussex County Council, South Downs National Park Authority, Chichester District Council, Horsham District Council, Mid Sussex District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Adur District Council, Worthing Borough Council, and Arun District Council
Planning Consultants in West Sussex
We advise landowners, farmers, equestrian businesses, developers and homeowners across West Sussex, including Chichester, Horsham, Crawley, Haywards Heath, Worthing and the coast.
Applications are decided by the district and borough councils, and by the South Downs National Park Authority within the National Park. A decision on reorganising West Sussex's councils was expected in 2026, but it was folded into the Government's wider review of reorganisation in September 2026, so the existing councils remain the planning authorities.
In the north of the county, Natural England withdrew its requirement for water neutrality in October 2025, removing a constraint that had held up development since 2021. On the coast, new homes near Chichester and Langstone Harbours contribute to bird disturbance mitigation, and the Chichester Harbour National Landscape and the High Weald add landscape tests. Equestrian development, farm diversification and conversions are common rural work.
Planning Services in West Sussex
Urban Vista Planning provides the full range of planning consultancy services to clients across West Sussex — from homeowners and landowners to developers and businesses. Our Chartered Town Planners are MRTPI-accredited and experienced in dealing with the planning authorities operating in West Sussex.
- Planning permission applications
- Pre-application advice
- Planning appeals
- Permitted development assessments
- Lawful Development Certificates
- Change of use applications
- Heritage and listed building consent
- Ecology & Biodiversity Net Gain
- Highways and transport assessments
- Infrastructure consenting
- Equestrian and rural planning
- Discharge of planning conditions
Why Urban Vista Planning?
MRTPI & MCIHT Accredited
Our Chartered Town Planners and specialist associates are accredited and regulated by their professional bodies, including the RTPI and CIHT.
UK-Wide Coverage
We advise clients across England and Wales, including West Sussex, from our offices in Taplow (Buckinghamshire), Leeds, and Hereford.
Free Initial Consultation
We provide an honest initial view of your project — what is achievable, the best consenting route, and likely timescales — at no charge.
Full-Service Consultancy
We manage the entire planning process: application preparation, specialist coordination, authority engagement, and conditions discharge.
Key Planning Constraints in West Sussex
These designations and policy issues shape what can be built in West Sussex. Identifying them early is the single most effective way to avoid delay, invalid applications and refusal.
Sussex North water efficiency
Natural England withdrew the water neutrality requirement for the Sussex North supply zone, covering Horsham, Crawley and parts of Chichester, in October 2025. New homes there still face demanding water efficiency standards.
South Downs National Park
Much of the county's downland falls under the South Downs National Park Authority.
Chichester Harbour National Landscape
The harbour and its setting are nationally protected and ecologically sensitive.
Chichester and Pagham Harbour SPAs
Coastal housing must contribute to Bird Aware Solent recreational disturbance mitigation.
Infrastructure & Energy Planning in West Sussex
Gatwick Airport's expansion and the Rampion offshore wind extension make West Sussex a focus for nationally significant infrastructure, alongside a pipeline of solar and battery storage schemes. Water neutrality, which held back development in north Sussex from 2021, was lifted in October 2025, unlocking many stalled schemes. We advise on consenting routes and on coordinating technical evidence for infrastructure projects in the county.
Planning in West Sussex: FAQs
Do new homes in Horsham or Crawley still need to be water neutral?
No. Natural England withdrew its Sussex North water neutrality position statement on 31 October 2025, after an agreement to cap Southern Water's abstraction licence. Schemes with existing water neutrality conditions or obligations may be able to vary them.
Who decides planning applications in the South Downs?
The South Downs National Park Authority decides applications within the National Park, under the South Downs Local Plan. Outside it, the relevant district or borough council decides.
Do new homes near Chichester Harbour pay a mitigation contribution?
Yes. New homes within the zone of influence of the Solent's protected harbours, including Chichester Harbour, contribute to the Bird Aware Solent strategy, which manages recreational disturbance to over-wintering birds.
Which council deals with planning applications in West Sussex?
Planning applications in West Sussex are determined by the local planning authority for the site — West Sussex County Council, South Downs National Park Authority, Chichester District Council, Horsham District Council, Mid Sussex District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Adur District Council, Worthing Borough Council, and Arun District Council. Where a site lies within a National Park, the National Park Authority is the planning authority instead.
What are the main planning constraints in West Sussex?
Key constraints in West Sussex include Sussex North water efficiency; South Downs National Park; Chichester Harbour National Landscape; Chichester and Pagham Harbour SPAs. We identify which apply to your site at the outset so they can be addressed in the application rather than discovered during determination.
Do you advise on infrastructure and energy projects in West Sussex?
Gatwick Airport's expansion and the Rampion offshore wind extension make West Sussex a focus for nationally significant infrastructure, alongside a pipeline of solar and battery storage schemes. Water neutrality, which held back development in north Sussex from 2021, was lifted in October 2025, unlocking many stalled schemes. We advise on consenting routes and on coordinating technical evidence for infrastructure projects in the county.
Other Areas We Cover in the South East
Need a Planning Consultant in West Sussex?
Book a free initial consultation — we will give you a clear view of your options and the best route forward.