Edition: July 2023
We are fortunate in our District to be surrounded by many interesting buildings and places of special architectural and historic significance.

In Horsham District there are some 1,800 listed buildings, and 37 Conservation Areas. (Pictured: Causeway Horsham)
Conservation areas
Where an area (from a few houses to a whole town) has a special architectural quality or historic interest it may be designated a Conservation Area. Our 37 Conservation Areas are spread across the District from rural Itchingfield and Blackstone to Horsham Town Centre.
In a Conservation Area, any works requiring planning permission are also subject to local historic conservation policies set out in our Local Plan and national policies outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework. Some types of development are restricted within Conservation Areas and permission may be needed for works affecting the external appearance of the buildings or to undertake works to some trees.
When considering applications within a Conservation Area, our Strategic Planning team give special attention to ensure they preserve and enhance the special character of settlements within our District.

Listed buildings
Listing celebrates a building’s special architectural or historical interest and protects it for future generations. Listed buildings can also include more unusual structures such as the stocks in West Chiltington and a phone box in Steyning.
Listing does not prevent change to a listed building.
(Pictured: listed telephone box in Steyning)
However, owners do need to apply for listed building consent from the Council for alterations that may affect special architectural or historic interest (in addition to any planning permission and building regulations approval required). Whether you are aiming to create extra living space, improve the appearance or accessibility of your property, our Strategic Planning team can provide advice before and during the application process. Our emphasis is on balancing the owners need with the historic significance of the building.
It is also important to get good advice from appropriate heritage craftspeople when considering works. Undertaking work without consent can be a criminal offence.
Further information
For more information including guidance on works to listed buildings and conservation areas, please visit the Listed buildings page of the Council's website.
You can also contact the planning team for general advice through our pre-application advice service.
Read the latest edition
You may also like

Landscape regeneration following Ash Dieback work
Ash Dieback is a fungal disease which affects Ash trees. It is estimated that the disease will kill up to 90% of the species in the UK over the next decade.

A new Town Council for Horsham?
In May and June, we asked for views from people who live or work in Horsham town centre about whether they’d like a new town council.

Have your say on the future of local government in West Sussex
Look out for the survey on the future of local government in West Sussex, launching in July.