Planning Permission in Crawley
Non-Metropolitan District in South East · Last updated April 2026
Crawley is a post-war new town in West Sussex, developed from the 1940s around the original village and medieval High Street. The town is closely associated with Gatwick Airport, which sits on its northern boundary. Crawley's neighbourhood structure — with distinct residential areas like Pound Hill, Ifield, and Langley Green — creates a varied housing stock from post-war semis to modern estates.
With 12 conservation areas and 103 listed buildings, Crawley's heritage is modest but focused on the original village core and surrounding historic buildings. The council approved 82.7% of applications in the year ending September 2025.
This guide covers permitted development rights, planning fees, and the application process for homeowners across Crawley — from the original High Street area to the post-war neighbourhoods and newer developments.
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What can I build in Crawley?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Crawley outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries | Conservation areas (12), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Crawley outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Conservation areas (12), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (12), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Crawley | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Crawley outside protected zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of Crawley (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Crawley's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Crawley
Crawley has no Green Belt and no AONB, so standard PD rights apply to most properties. The 12 conservation areas restrict development in the original village core and a few other locations. Aircraft noise from Gatwick Airport affects some residential development proposals. New-build properties on modern estates may have PD rights restricted by planning conditions. The council's 82.7% approval rate is slightly below average.
What Crawley expects from your project
Local design guidance
Design Guide (Local Plan policies)
Local Plan: Crawley Local Plan 2015–2030
Crawley Borough adopted its Local Plan in December 2015. The New Town sits adjacent to Gatwick Airport and has an almost entirely built-up urban boundary. The plan supports intensification within the town centre and neighbourhoods, with policies managing the complex aviation-related employment and residential interface around the airport.
Emerging / replacement plan
Crawley is preparing a new Local Plan. A Regulation 19 Pre-Submission plan was consulted on in 2023, with submission to the Planning Inspectorate anticipated in 2024–2025.
19 Article 4 directions
Crawley has applied Article 4 directions to 19 areas, which remove certain permitted development rights in those zones. Use our free checker to see if your property is affected.
Conservation areas in Crawley
12 designated conservation areas
Crawley's 12 conservation areas include the original High Street and surrounding medieval core, plus elements of the post-war new town design that are now considered historic. With 103 listed buildings — including the medieval church and several pre-war buildings — the heritage is concentrated in the old village area. The conservation areas preserve the character of the most architecturally sensitive parts of what is otherwise a largely post-war town.
Article 4 directions in Crawley
19 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Crawley
There are 103 listed buildings in Crawley. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with Crawley's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Crawley received 256 planning applications and decided 220 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 82.7% is below the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
Crawley processed planning decisions with an 82.7% approval rate in the year ending September 2025. The slightly below-average rate may reflect Gatwick Airport noise constraints and the council's design expectations. Pre-application advice is recommended.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Recent planning applications in Crawley
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Crawley expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Crawley's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Housing delivery in Crawley
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Crawley delivered 1,069 homes against a requirement of 470 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 227%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Crawley are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Crawley
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Crawley that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
Crawley decided 143 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 97.2% is above the national average of 93%, which suggests LDC applications are likely to be processed on time. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Crawley
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Crawley's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
Crawley must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
Check your permitted development rights
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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Crawley.
Pre-application advice in Crawley
Crawley offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is From £150 for householder proposals.
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
Think your project might be permitted development?
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Check your PD rights now →Crawley offers pre-application advice. With a lower approval rate, pre-app advice is recommended.
Planning fees and timelines in Crawley
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning application | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Full planning permission | £610 per dwelling | 8-13 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6-8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6-8 weeks |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Prior approval | £120 | 56 days |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | 8 weeks |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | 28 days |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Crawley and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Crawley
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in Crawley is provided by Crawley Borough Council. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Crawley planning department
Your building project checklist for Crawley
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Crawley has 12 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Crawley has 19 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
Nearby planning authorities
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