South Downs National Park (SDNP) planning

The South Downs became a National Park in March 2010. Since 1 April 2011 the South Downs National Park Authority (opens new window) (SDNPA) has been the Local Planning Authority for the South Downs National Park.

Chichester District Council deals with most planning applications and planning enforcement cases within the District on behalf of the SDNPA. The SDNPA deals with the most significant planning applications within the National Park.
Find out if your property is in the South Downs National Park

Find out if your property is in the South Downs National Park

You can find out if your property, or application site is, is within the South Downs National park.

Find out if you live in the South Downs National Park (opens new window)

View planning applications within the South Downs National Park

On the SDNPA Planning website you can search for planning applications. (opens new window)

You will be able to view the application and make comments on current applications.

South Downs National Park planning guidance

Applications within the National Park will be assessed using the South Downs National Park Planning Policies. (opens new window) .

The SDNPA has produced Supplementary Planning Documents and Technical Advice Notes (TANs) (opens new window). These add further detail of the policies in the Local Plan.

Other guidance about community involvement, affordable housing, self-build and custom build developments can be found on the SDNPA website. (opens new window)

How to get planning advice

You can find out if you need planning permission by emailing a completed Do I need planning permission form (opens new window) to dcplanning@chichester.gov.uk.

For guidance on the pre-application advice services offered for sites which are within the National Park please see the SDNP pre-app advice (opens new window) .

How to submit a planning application

You should submit your planning application to Chichester District Council. Please make planning fee cheques payable to South Downs National Park Authority. You can submit your application through the Planning portal (opens new window) , this will be routed to Chichester District Council who will deal with it on behalf of the SDNPA.

South Downs National Park planning authority payments

To make a South Downs National Park planning authority payment, please visit Planning payments.

What happens after an application is submitted

If the application is deemed 'significant' by the SDNPA then the application will be determined by a case officer at the SDNPA.
All other applications will be determined by Chichester District Council, working in partnership with the SDNPA. These applications will be decided by the Chichester District Council planning committee, or planning officer, in accordance with Chichester's The Constitution (opens new window) .
All communications regarding a planning application (letters, emails, phone calls) (unless the application has been called-in by the SDNPA) should be directed to Chichester District Council, not the SDNPA.
South Downs National Park Authority - called in applications (opens new window)