Planning application
Smallburgh Bell Lane Birdham Chichester West Sussex PO20 7HX
Still open. Anyone can comment while the consultation period runs, and comments go to the council rather than to us.
Proposal
Existing lawful development certificate for the use of an outbuilding as a dwellinghouse for a period exceeding 4 years.
As published by the council, reference 26/01842/ELD
Application record
- Reference
- 26/01842/ELD
- Type
- Existing Lawful Development
- Status
- Pending Consideration
- Received
- 21 Aug 2026
- Validated
- 28 Aug 2026
- Ward
- The Witterings
- Parish
- Birdham
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- PO20 7HX
Comment by 18 September 2026
The council is taking comments on this application until then. Have your say on South Downs National Park's portal.
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
21 Aug 2026
Received by South Downs National Park
-
28 Aug 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
7 Sep 2026
Added to PlanIndex
-
Decision
Awaiting decision
Decision expected by 23 October 2026, 8 weeks from validation under the statutory target for most applications. Extensions of time are common and are agreed case by case.
South Downs National Park took a median of 54 days over the applications it decided in the last year.
Who's behind it
Company information only, from the register and Companies House
Agent on file, registered in Chichester
154 applications on PlanIndex · across 7 councils · 85% granted
Trade members see who it is, their full track record, and every application they have filed.
See who's behind itDocuments
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
7 documents on file for this application
A planning file usually holds the application form, drawings and site plans, consultee responses, the officer's report and the decision notice.
Trade members open them from here.
Open the documentsWhat happens while it is decided
The process from here
This application is with South Downs National Park for determination. The council publicises it, consults neighbours and technical bodies where required, and weighs the responses against local and national planning policy.
The statutory target is eight weeks for most applications and thirteen for major development, though extensions of time are common. Comments carry most weight while the case is undecided, so check the council portal for the deadline if you want to respond.
About lawful development applications
How this application type works
A lawful development certificate is a legal determination, not a planning judgement. It asks the council to confirm either that existing use or works are lawful, often through the passage of time, or that a proposal would not need planning permission at all. The applicant must prove the facts; the merits of the scheme are not considered.
Nearby applications
Within 500 metres
-
Smallburgh Bell Lane Birdham Chichester West Sussex PO20 7HX
92% historically approved · decision due ~23 Oct
Existing lawful development certificate for the use of an outbuilding as a dwellinghouse for a period exceeding 4 years.
Awaiting decisionSmall domestic -
Pinks Four Bell Lane Birdham West Sussex PO20 7HX
92% historically approved · decision due ~27 Jul
Discharge of Conditions 6 (surface water drainage scheme), 7 (system of foul drainage details) and 8 (maintenance and management of the foul water drainage system) from planning permission BI/24/00727/FUL.
Awaiting decision Conditions 17 docs -
Pinks Four Bell Lane Birdham West Sussex PO20 7HX
92% historically approved · decision due ~22 Apr
Discharge of Conditions 5 (Tree and Hedge Protection), 17 (Ecological Enhancements), 19 (Ecological Mitigation Recommendations) & 20 (Ecological Mitigation Measures) of Planning Permission BI/24/00727/FUL.
Awaiting decision Conditions Trees 5 docs -
Pinks Four Bell Lane Birdham West Sussex PO20 7HX
92% historically approved · decision due ~22 Apr
Discharge of Conditions 5 (Tree and Hedge Protection), 17 (Ecological Enhancements), 19 (Ecological Mitigation Recommendations) & 20 (Ecological Mitigation Measures) of Planning Permission BI/24/00727/FUL.
Awaiting decision Conditions Trees 5 docs -
Pinks Four Bell Lane Birdham West Sussex PO20 7HX
92% historically approved · decision due ~27 Jul
Discharge of Conditions 6 (surface water drainage scheme), 7 (system of foul drainage details) and 8 (maintenance and management of the foul water drainage system) from planning permission BI/24/00727/FUL.
Awaiting decision Conditions 31 docs -
Tobias Bell Lane Birdham Chichester West Sussex PO20 7HX
Discharge of Conditions 3 (CEMP), 4 (surface water drainage scheme), 5 (SuDS details) and 6 (aboricultural method statement) from planning permission BI/24/01225/FUL (APP/L3815/W/25/3367973).
Granted Conditions 24 docs
Other lawful development applications
In South Downs National Park
-
SDNP/26/03337/LDE Awaiting decision
9 East Way Lewes East Sussex BN7 1NG
Decking at rear of 9 East Way.
-
26/01268/PLD Granted
71 Windsor Road Chichester West Sussex PO19 7XG
Demolition of existing garage and rear conservatory and construction of single-storey rear extension.
-
26/01855/PLD Awaiting decision
1A Park Lane Selsey Chichester West Sussex PO20 0HD
Rear dormer and 3 no. front rooflights.
-
26/01494/PLD Granted
St Joseph's Infant School Orchard Gardens Chichester West Sussex PO19 1DG
The proposed use is a SEND school to be operated within use class F1.
-
26/01285/PLD Withdrawn
Fernlea 7 Sturt Avenue Camelsdale Linchmere Haslemere West Sussex GU27 3SJ
Proposed lawful development - To square off rear of the house within permitted development measurements. No change to access.