Crawley
Poor
Performance rating out of 100, based on approval rate, decision speed and appeal outcomes
Crawley Borough Council is the planning authority for the town of Crawley and surrounding areas in West Sussex in the South East of England. The council approves most householder applications, though it tends to take longer than average to reach decisions. It's worth noting that a significant proportion of refused applications succeed on appeal, which suggests applicants sometimes have good grounds to challenge decisions.
Approval Rate
79%
of householder applications approved
Decided Within 8 Weeks
28%
meet the statutory target
Appeal Overturn Rate
47%
of refusals overturned on appeal
What to Expect
When you submit a householder application to Crawley, you have a good chance of approval, with around 79% of applications being granted. However, you should be prepared for a longer wait than the standard 8 weeks, as only about 28% of applications are decided within this target timeframe. This doesn't mean your application will be refused, just that the process tends to move at a measured pace. If your application is refused, remember that nearly half of appeals against refusals succeed, so you may have options.
Local Planning Considerations
Crawley includes areas of green belt land, and any development affecting this will face stricter scrutiny. You should check whether your property falls within or near a conservation area, as these have additional protections and restrictions. The town also has specific growth plans and regeneration priorities, so your application may be considered in light of these wider strategic objectives.
Tips for Homeowners
Start by getting clear advice on whether your proposal aligns with Crawley's local plan and any conservation or green belt restrictions that apply to your property. Take extra care with your application materials and supporting information, as thorough submissions help officers make faster decisions. Given the longer than average decision times here, factor in a longer waiting period when planning any work and consider submitting your application well in advance of when you'd ideally like to start building. If you do receive a refusal, don't immediately assume it's final, as the appeal statistics suggest there may be grounds to challenge the decision.
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