Planning Permission for Landscaping in Chichester

1. Patios

In most cases, patios do NOT require planning permission unless:

• You live in a listed property
• You are altering ground levels significantly
• You are affecting drainage in a sensitive area (Bosham / Fishbourne high water table) – see our guide to garden drainage & groundworks
• Your property sits in a conservation area

Even where permission is not required, we still design new patios with falls, drainage and sub-bases that match local ground conditions.

2. Driveways

Under UK SUDS regulations:

• Front driveways larger than 5m² MUST be permeable OR drain to a soakaway
• Impermeable surfaces draining to the highway require planning permission

Areas especially strict:

• Bosham & Fishbourne (flood zones, tidal influence)
• Chichester Conservation Areas
• Goodwood / Lavant (heritage sensitivity)

When we design a new driveway in Chichester, we balance SUDS requirements with practical access, edging and materials so compliance is built in from the start.

3. Retaining Walls

Planning permission is required if:

• Wall exceeds 1 metre next to a highway
• Wall exceeds 2 metres elsewhere
• Wall is part of structural level changes
• Property is listed or within a conservation buffer zone

Our separate guide to retaining walls & level changes explains the engineering details, drainage and step layout we use on sloping plots around Chichester.

4. Garden Buildings & Outbuildings

Permitted development applies if:

• Building is under 2.5m high (within 2m of boundary)
• Building is under 30m²
• Not used as accommodation
• Not forward of the main house elevation

Extra restrictions apply in:

• Chichester Conservation Areas
• Bosham Quay & Harbour areas
• Lavant & Goodwood heritage zones

5. Fences & Boundaries

Planning permission not needed if:

• Fence is under 2m
• Fence is under 1m next to a highway

6. Changing Ground Levels

Altering the height of your garden by more than 30cm usually requires planning approval, especially where cut-and-fill works are combined with retaining walls or structural terraces.

7. Listed Buildings in Chichester

Any external landscaping that affects the structure, setting or appearance of a listed building requires Listed Building Consent. This often includes materials choices for patios, driveways and boundary treatments.

8. Chichester Conservation Areas

Chichester has several conservation zones where stricter rules apply:

• Chichester City Centre
• Bosham Conservation Area
• Fishbourne Conservation Area
• Lavant Conservation Zone
• Oving village centre

Within these areas, planning may be required for:

• Driveway material changes
• Boundary wall alterations
• Garden structures
• Retaining walls
• Significant landscaping alterations

9. Flood Zones (Bosham, Fishbourne, Apuldram)

Permissions are stricter in areas affected by:

• Coastal flooding
• Groundwater flooding
• Tidal surges

On these plots we normally combine careful drainage design with the construction methods outlined in our subsidence & patio longevity guide.

10. When You DO Need Planning Permission

• Raising ground more than 30cm
• Non-permeable driveway over 5m²
• Large retaining walls
• Structures in conservation areas
• Works affecting a listed building

11. Areas We Cover

Chichester · Fishbourne · Bosham · Lavant · Tangmere · Oving · Goodwood · Westhampnett · Donnington · Hunston · Apuldram · South Downs villages

Not Sure If You Need Planning Permission?

We can advise on requirements, help you stay within permitted development where sensible, or support a full application alongside your new patio, driveway or wider garden redesign.

Request Planning Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions About Planning Permission in Chichester

Do I need planning permission for a rear garden patio?

Most rear garden patios in Chichester fall under permitted development, so formal planning permission is not usually required. Exceptions include listed buildings, conservation areas, sensitive flood zones and schemes where ground levels are being raised significantly.

How do I know if my home is in a conservation area?

Chichester District Council publishes maps showing conservation area boundaries for Chichester, Bosham, Fishbourne, Lavant and other villages. If you are unsure, we can help you check your address and advise whether extra planning controls are likely to apply to your project.

Who applies for planning permission – me or the landscaper?

The homeowner is normally the applicant, but many clients prefer us to help prepare drawings, descriptions and photos so the submission is clear and accurate. We can also suggest design adjustments that may keep the work within permitted development and avoid the need for a full application where appropriate.

What happens if work is done without the right permission?

If landscaping is carried out without required consent, the council can ask for changes or, in some cases, for elements to be removed. It can also complicate future property sales. Checking the position early and designing the project around the rules is usually much cheaper and simpler than rectifying issues later.

Chichester Landscaping Knowledge Hub

Explore all of our in-depth landscaping guides for Chichester · Bosham · Fishbourne · Lavant · Tangmere · Oving · Donnington · Hunston · Apuldram · Goodwood · Westhampnett · South Downs villages:

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