Planning Permission for Landscaping in Petersfield

Important Starting Point

We’re landscapers, not planning officers. This page is based on experience of working locally, not formal legal advice.

• Rules can change over time
• Some streets sit within conservation areas
• The South Downs National Park can apply extra design sensitivity

For anything borderline, it’s always wise to check with the local planning authority or a planning professional before you commit.

Petersfield, East Hampshire & the South Downs

Petersfield falls under East Hampshire District Council, with much of the town and surrounding countryside within the South Downs National Park.

In practical terms this usually means:

• Standard Permitted Development rights often still apply
• Visual impact, overlooking and changes to levels are looked at closely
• Conservation areas and listed buildings have tighter controls

Patios, Terraces & Ground-Level Paving

When patios are usually straightforward

Most ground-level patios at the rear of a house are normally treated as general landscaping work, especially when:

• They sit close to existing ground level
• They don’t significantly alter the appearance from the street
• They don’t create obvious overlooking into neighbours’ gardens

When we start asking more questions

We become more cautious when:

• The patio is being raised up with retaining walls or built-up sub-bases
• You’re changing levels close to the boundary
• You’re in a conservation area or the property is listed

In those cases we’ll usually suggest you speak to planning before we finalise the design.

Driveways & Front Gardens

Permeable vs. non-permeable surfaces

Across the UK there is extra attention on hard surfacing at the front of homes, mainly for drainage and flood risk reasons.

• Permeable surfaces or systems draining to a soakaway are often acceptable
• Large areas of impermeable paving that shed water onto the pavement or road can trigger permission

In Petersfield, Sheet and Liss we often design front driveways with:

• Permeable block paving systems
• Gravel over suitable sub-bases and grids
• Channel drains and soakaways where needed

This keeps things both practical and more likely to sit comfortably within guidance.

Decking, Raised Platforms & Changes in Level

Why height and overlooking matter

Raised decking and terraces are one of the most common sources of neighbour concern.

• The higher the platform, the more you can see into other gardens
• On sloping plots (Steep, Buriton, parts of Petersfield) small height changes make a big difference
• Conservation and National Park settings are more sensitive to large built-up areas

Low-level decks built close to existing ground level are usually not an issue. Problems tend to start with big height changes and new viewpoints over fences.

Typical design tweaks we suggest

• Breaking one high platform into two or three lower terraces
• Pulling edges back from the boundary where possible
• Using planting or screens to soften views

Garden Walls, Fences & Retaining Structures

Boundary fences & walls

There are general national height guidelines for boundary fences and walls, with extra attention on:

• Front garden boundaries towards the road
• Corner plots where visibility is important
• Conservation area street scenes

Retaining walls & level changes

Retaining walls that hold back soil can occasionally fall under planning or building control, especially where:

• They are high and close to highways or public footpaths
• They significantly alter ground levels near neighbours
• They form part of a larger terracing or building project

From our side we focus on safe design, drainage and build quality; if there’s any doubt on consents we’ll flag it with you early.

Garden Rooms & Outbuildings

Garden offices and studios have become very popular in Petersfield, Liss and the surrounding villages.

Many small outbuildings fall under general “incidental use” Permitted Development, but that depends on:

• Overall height and roof shape
• Distance from boundaries
• How much garden area is covered
• Whether it is obviously a separate dwelling or business premises

In conservation areas or more sensitive South Downs locations, subtle design and careful siting become even more important.

Conservation Areas & Listed Properties

Parts of Petersfield and nearby villages sit within conservation areas, and there are listed buildings scattered across the wider South Downs.

In those locations, councils may pay closer attention to:

• Materials and finishes (for example, natural stone vs. very modern finishes)
• How hard landscaping affects the setting of the building
• Changes to historic walls, railings and boundaries

If you know your home is listed or in a conservation area, it’s worth asking for written guidance before any major alterations.

Talking to the Council Before You Build

A short email to the planning department with a sketch or plan can often save a lot of uncertainty later.

Many homeowners in Petersfield simply want reassurance that what they’re planning is sensible. In borderline situations, the options usually are:

• Adjusting the design so it clearly falls within usual guidance
• Seeking informal written confirmation from planning
• Submitting a formal planning application where needed

How We Help Clients Navigate This

We don’t replace professional planning advice, but we do:

• Highlight where a proposal might raise questions
• Suggest practical adjustments to reduce risk
• Provide drawings and photos of similar projects if you need to speak to planning

The aim is always the same – to create the garden or driveway you want, while keeping life as straightforward as possible with neighbours and the council.

Areas We Cover

Petersfield · Sheet · Steep · Buriton · Liss · Rogate · Langrish · Froxfield · East Meon · West Harting · South Harting · South Downs villages

Planning a Project & Unsure About Permission?

If you’re thinking about a new patio, raised terrace, driveway, garden room or major level change, we can talk through the practical side on site and help you shape a design that’s more likely to sit comfortably with the rules.

Request a Planning-Friendly Design Visit

Petersfield Landscaping Knowledge Hub

Explore all of our in-depth landscaping guides for Petersfield · Sheet · Steep · Buriton · Liss · Rogate · Langrish · Froxfield · East Meon · West Harting · South Harting · South Downs villages:

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