Need a planning consultant in West Sussex?

Planning Consultant West Sussex

With priorities including protecting the South Downs National Park, prized coastal areas, and managing tourism, West Sussex presents challenges when submitting planning applications.

As planning applications will come under scrutiny, it may be beneficial to engage a planning consultancy to help with a scheme that faces a choppy journey through the planning system.

Before examining the views of local authorities on planning issues, this article outlines the benefits that a specialist planning consultancy can bring to a project. It then highlights projects successfully brought to fruition by five planning consultancy firms in West Sussex.

What do Planning Consultants do?

They:

• Provide expert advice on local planning authorities’ development plans.
• Are well-versed in national planning policies.
• Provide strategic advice on a specific planning application.
• Assess sites for planning potential.
• Conduct feasibility studies.
• Prepare and submit planning applications to local authorities.
• Satisfy planning regulations.
• Conduct negotiations with planning officers.
• Project manage.
• Advise on listed buildings and building regulations.
• Handle planning appeals and enforcement action.

West Sussex County Council and Development

There are plans to build around 35,000 new homes between 2024 and 2035 in West Sussex and to balance housing demand with protecting the county’s natural beauty, West Sussex County Council is focusing on green infrastructure, sustainable transport, and preservation of greenbelt areas. West Sussex faces challenges with managing increased tourism, protecting the South Downs National Park, and maintaining its coastal areas, all of which require careful planning to ensure sustainable and sensitive development.

The council’s 2024 development plan focuses on sustainable growth while preserving the county’s beautiful countryside and coastline. The main aims include delivering more affordable housing, supporting local businesses, and improving infrastructure, particularly transport and renewable energy. The council is committed to ensuring that new developments contribute to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing public spaces.

Key areas earmarked for development include Crawley and Chichester, where new housing and commercial projects are planned to meet the needs of growing communities. These areas will see a mix of residential and commercial developments, boosting local economies while preserving the county’s character.

Two major development schemes in the pipeline include the North of Horsham development, which will deliver thousands of new homes along with schools and parks, and the A29 Realignment project, aimed at improving transport links and supporting future housing growth in the Arun district.

Beautiful Projects by Planning Consultancies in West Sussex

WPS Planning Consultancy

Based in Horsham, this independent planning consultancy advises on all aspects of the planning process including planning applications and appeals, change of use applications, site appraisals, and extensions.

WPS Planning took on a change of use application for a client wanting to convert an existing annexe into a separate dwelling. The property stands in the South Downs National Park and outside the settlement boundary. WPS Planning submitted a planning application for change of use from ancillary accommodation to a C3 residential dwelling, basing their application on national guidance stating that isolated homes in the countryside should be avoided: permission was granted as consultants clarified that the site location was close to other dwellings and a short distance from the settlement boundary.

DJM Town Planning

Working with landowners, construction companies, businesses and homeowners, DJM Town Planning has nearly 25 years of town planning experience and is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. This consultancy covers east and west Sussex, the South Downs National Park, Brighton & Hove, Surrey and further afield. Its services include obtaining planning permission, handling appeals, site appraisals and enforcement action.

DJM Town Planning worked closely with Edgeway Architecture to secure planning permission and listed building consents for this historic barn conversion in the low Weald.

Plainview Planning Consultants

This town planning firm provides a full range of planning services and works on projects in urban and rural locations for private individuals, developers and investors. Founded in 2006 it has a broad range of planning experience, and in May 2024, joined forces with McLoughlin Planning: it operates nationwide with a focus on central and southern England.

Plainview Planning Consultants were part of the team that secured planning permission for this amazing house in Stroud, on the edge of a settlement boundary and in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The scheme involved demolishing an outbuilding and building a three-bedroom single-storey house, designed by architects at Millar Howard Workshop. Plainview Planning Consultants worked closely with the council during negotiations and prepared a planning statement for a revised application following a refusal of planning permission for the scheme. A new design was negotiated, and a new planning application was submitted that justified how the dwelling was in line with local and national policy and was sustainable.

Corbil Planning Ltd

This specialist planning consultancy based in Littlehampton, West Sussex, provides services to clients across the south east and all London boroughs. It caters to all stages of the planning process from feasibility studies to submission of planning applications and appeals. Clients include householders, businesses, and commercial development companies, and its work focuses on residential planning permissions.

Corbil Planning Ltd achieved planning permission for this contemporary style rear extension to a grade II listed 19th-century house in the Brook Green Conservation Area of Hammersmith.

Genesis Town Planning

Undertaking projects from small housing schemes to major strategic projects and commercial development, Genesis Town Planning carries out development appraisals and advises on strategies. Services include town planning, regeneration, heritage, and community consultations.

Creek House is a part Art Deco building with later 1970s additions, standing in the New Forest. After making some improvements and being marketed, it was found to be too large for one family and needed further refurbishment. The Genesis Town Planning team conducted pre-application consultations with the local authority and applied for the conversion and redevelopment of the house, which resulted in obtaining planning permission to convert it into four dwellings, retaining the main structure and character. Two new houses were built in the grounds, designed in the Art Deco style.

Find a Specialist Planning Consultancy in West Sussex

Whether you are considering a scheme involving listed buildings, barn conversions or commercial development, the first step is to identify the right planning team for you. It’s important to research chartered town planners who have dealt with schemes similar to yours and have a good track record. Seeing successful outcomes that chime with your plans will enable you to decide whether a particular planning consultancy can help your scheme through the planning system.

Engaging a town planning consultancy with an excellent understanding of planning rules and regulations in the south east could provide the best chance of obtaining planning permission for your scheme.