How a planning decision is made

Find out what happens after you have submitted your application.

As the Local Planning Authority (LPA), the council is responsible for deciding whether a planning application should be approved or refused. This is called planning permission. An application is judged against national planning rules and regulations and our local planning policies.

Most new buildings, major alterations to existing buildings and significant changes to the use of a building or piece of land need this permission.

However, certain minor building works, known as permitted development, don't need planning permission. This is because the effect of such developments on neighbours or the surrounding environment is likely to be small. For example, building a boundary wall below a certain height.  

Occasionally, large proposals or controversial applications of national significance are 'called in' to be decided by the First Secretary of State instead of the LPA.  

In our area the South Downs National Park Authority is the planning authority controlling and influencing the development of land and buildings within the National Park’s boundaries.  

The government has published a plain English guide to the planning system which explains how the planning system in England works.

The national Planning Portal website gives detailed information on how to submit a planning application.  

Decisions made under delegated powers

Most applications (about 96%) are decided under 'delegated powers' (the authority to decide the application has been delegated by the planning committee to specified senior officers). 

This is usually for smaller-scale proposals -  alterations and small extensions, conversions, straightforward changes of use and new housing developments of up to 9 units. The council's constitution, under its scheme of delegation for planning applications, says when an application will be decided on by officers or by the committee.

The case officer for your application should advise of how your application will be dealt with before a decision is made.

Decisions by planning committee

The council's constitution contains a Protocol for Members (PDF 112KBb) regarding planning applications.The planning committee, which meets monthly, deals with decisions that cannot be decided under delegated powers, like:

  • applications for 10 or more units of housing
  • applications where there are 5 or more individual letters of objections if the recommendation is to approve, or if there are 5 or more individual letters of support if the recommendation is for refusal
  • applications where the ward councillor, Conservation Advisory Group or the Disabled Access Advisory Group do not agree with the recommendation of officers, and request the Planning Committee to make the decision