How many planning applications has West Sussex County Council received?

West Sussex County Council received 48 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 96%.

How long does West Sussex County Council take to decide planning applications?

West Sussex County Council takes an average of -10 days to decide planning applications. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for householder and minor applications, and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate for West Sussex County Council?

West Sussex County Council approves 96% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in West Sussex County Council?

To object to a West Sussex County Council planning application, you must submit your representation to West Sussex County Council during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from the date the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows you the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the West Sussex County Council planning portal where objections can be submitted.

Can I appeal a West Sussex County Council planning decision?

Yes. If West Sussex County Council refuses your planning application, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 72 appeals were lodged against West Sussex County Council decisions in the last 24 months, with a 75% success rate.

West Sussex County Council Planning Applications

Q: How do I search West Sussex County Council planning applications?

You can search West Sussex County Council planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the West Sussex County Council area to see all nearby applications, filter by type, and track decisions in real time.

Search and explore West Sussex County Council planning applications. Planning Signal is your free alternative to the West Sussex County Council planning portal — search all recent applications, track decisions, and get alerts on new developments in the area.

Region: South East

About West Sussex County Council

Governance

Leader: Paul Marshall (Conservative), since 18 October 2019

Chair: Pieter Montyn (Conservative), since 22 March 2024

Chief Executive: Leigh Whitehouse, since 2024

Seats: 70 councillors (term: 4 years)

Founded: 1997

Last election: 6 May 2021

Political composition: Conservative (40), Liberal Democrat (10), Labour (9), Independent (6), Reform UK (4), Green (1)

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to West Sussex County Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for West Sussex County Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in West Sussex County Council mention key planning constraints like heritage, flood risk, and environmental concerns
Council Boundary Map - Interactive map showing the council boundary and application locations
Full Details - View complete application details, dates and decision status

Council Insights

Property Prices

Average property sale price: £445,418 (based on 50 recent transactions from HM Land Registry).

Area Information

Admin district: Arun
Parliamentary constituency: Arundel and South Downs
LSOA: Arun 001C

Crime Statistics

17 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Crime Breakdown

anti-social-behaviour: 5
criminal-damage-arson: 4
other-theft: 3
public-order: 2
possession-of-weapons: 1
shoplifting: 1
violent-crime: 1

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in West Sussex County Council.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for West Sussex County Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in West Sussex County Council

501 towns and villages. Click any town to search for planning applications nearby.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the West Sussex County Council area.

Monitoring Stations

9 flood monitoring stations near West Sussex County Council.

Littlehampton (River Arun)
Arundel (River Arun)
Houghton Bridge (River Arun)
Bognor (Aldingbourne Rife)
Ferring Outfall (River Arun)
Barnham (Barnham Rife)
FERRING RIFE RL
SHRIPNEY RL
Rainfall station

A brief summary of West Sussex County Council

West Sussex County Council serves as the upper-tier local authority for the non-metropolitan county of West Sussex in England. It plays a crucial role in local governance and planning, overseeing various services and initiatives that impact the community and its development. The council was established in 1997. The council is currently led by Paul Marshall (Conservative). The council comprises 70 councillors seats, with the most recent election held on 6 May 2021.

The average property sale price in the West Sussex County Council area is £445,418, based on 50 recent transactions.

There were 17 crimes reported in the West Sussex County Council area during the most recent period, a moderate level broadly in line with similar areas.

Ecology & Nature Designations

The West Sussex County Council area includes 1 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): Arundel Park SSSI; 20 Ancient Woodland sites; 1 National Parks: SOUTH DOWNS. These designations may affect planning decisions, as proposals near protected sites require environmental impact assessment and may face additional restrictions.

The council area encompasses 501 towns and villages, including Arundel, Billingshurst, Bognor Regis, Burgess Hill, Chichester and Crawley. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search West Sussex County Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for West Sussex County Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the West Sussex County Council area. Unlike the official West Sussex County Council planning portal, Planning Signal lets you save searches, watch individual applications, and receive email alerts when decisions are made or new applications are submitted nearby.

Whether you're a resident checking West Sussex County Council planning applications near your home, a homeowner tracking your own application, or a property professional monitoring the local market, Planning Signal gives you the tools to stay informed about planning and development across West Sussex County Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 48 planning applications West Sussex County Council received. Of these, 96% were approved, with an average decision time of -10 days.

This is notably above the national average of approximately 87%, suggesting a relatively permissive planning environment. Applicants in West Sussex County Council may find that well-prepared applications have a strong chance of success.

The average decision time of -10 days is within the government's 8-week statutory target for minor applications, indicating an efficient planning department.

The most common application types in West Sussex County Council were discharge of conditions (20), outline applications (8), amendments (5).

In terms of development scale, 1 large-scale (major) development, 47 smaller schemes were submitted.

72 planning appeals were lodged against West Sussex County Council decisions, of which 6 were allowed and 2 were dismissed (75% success rate). This relatively high appeal success rate suggests that the local authority may be refusing some applications that the Planning Inspectorate considers acceptable.

Application Outcomes

Approved: 25 applications
Refused: 0 applications
Withdrawn: 1 application
Awaiting decision: 22 applications

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.