Do I need to apply for planning permission for alterations/additions to my property?

Planning permission is not always required when undertaking alterations and additions to a single dwelling house.  The Department for Communities and Local Government has produced a simpified guide to those aspects of the planning system which you are most likely to encounter.  This guide will help you to assess whether you require planning permission.

Planning - A Guide for Householders

If you are proposing an extension or addition to your property, you can ask the Planning Services Section whether Planning and/or Building Regulation approval is required.  You can do this by completing an on-line Planning/Building Regulations Enquiry Form and forwarding it by post or e-mail to planning@worthing.gov.uk

To help me determine whether planning permission is required for an extension to my property I need to calculate the cubic content or volume.  How is this done?

The cubic content/volume is calculated from the external dimensions of the entire structure of the extension.  The Planning Portal has created a helpful cubic content volume calculator to help you make this calculation.

Planning Portal Cubic Volume Calculator

Do I need to apply for permission to make a new or wider access for my driveway?

You must obtain the separate approval of West Sussex County Council Highways Department if the new driveway crosses a pavement or verge - email highways.southern@westsussex.gov.uk with details.  You will also need to apply for planning permission if your property is a flat or if the proposed driveway is onto a trunk or other classified road.  There are other circumstances when planning permission will be required.  You should therefore write to the Planning Services Section or email planning@worthing.gov.uk to check before commencing work.

Do I need planning permission to work from home?

Planning permission may not be required where the use or part of a dwelling house for business purposes does not materially change the overall character of its use as a residence.  The Department for Communities and Local Government has produced a booklet - Planning Permission: A Guide for Business, which gives advice about working from home and whether planning permission is likely to be required.

Planning Permission:  A Guide for Business

If you are unsure whether you require planning permission you should write or email planning@worthing.gov.uk, providing full details of the work you propose to undertake from home including information about deliveries and business callers.

What is the fee for my planning application - are there any exemptions?

Details of planning fees and exemptions are shown on the following quick guide.

Guide to Planning Fees

What information do I need to submit with my planning application?

The following information is required to accompany all planning applications:

• 4 copies of a completed application form
• 4 copies of a plan to a scale of 1:1250 which identifies the land to which the application relates. For details on how and where to get suitable maps for planning applications, please see the Ordnance Survey Extracts page
• 4 copies of other plans and drawings or information necessary to describe the subject of the application
• 4 copies of a Completed Ownership Certificate
• the correct fee

In addition, certain applications require 4 copies of a Design and Access Statement.  Help on how to write access statements is available from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

Design and Access Statements - How to write, read and use them

Do I need planning permission to erect signs or advertisements?

Adverisement Consent may be required to display signs or advertisements.  To identify the types of signs and advertisements that require consent you can refer to the Guide on Outdoor advertisements and Signs produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Outdoor Advertisements and Signs: A Guide for Advertisers

If you are unsure whether advertisement consent is required you should write to the Planning Services Section or email planning@worthing.gov.uk.  Please provide full details of proposed signs and their location including the method of illumination (if applicable).

Can I submit a planning application on-line?

Yes, by using the link to the Planning Portal.  The Portal allows you to complete a planning application form on-line and attach your drawings.  You can also buy site maps and calculate the planning fee using the on-line fee calculator.

Planning Portal

How can I complain about unauthorised building work or a breach of planning consent?

You can make a complaint by email or letter to the Planning Services Section or use our on-line Planning Enforcement Complaint form.

Planning Enforcement Complaint Form

Your Comments On This Page

By sharing just a few words on how useful this page was, what was good, what was missing or confusing can really help us improve our website. Send a quick message to the web developer and your feedback will be used to improve this page. Do not use this form to lodge complaints or comments that need feedback.

 Send Feedback

Back to the top of the page