Planning Developments to property    

As with any property purchase, those buying a house on the Estate will sign a contract in which the deeds will have incorporated the Covenants dating from the property’s original construction. These covenants are effectively binding between the purchaser and all other shareholders of the Company they have chosen to join. They are not simply an historic relic. They state that any development of a property which can impact on its appearance and, thereby, on the character and appearance of the area, must have the approval of the Aldwick Bay Company Ltd, representing all of its Shareholders.

Notwithstanding the above, any development whether it be adding an extension or changing the construction of a boundary will usually require planning permission from Arun District Council. However before applying, owners are strongly advised to submit their plans to the Company Planning Officer who will not only talk them through the process, but importantly offer advice before bringing the plans to the Board for scrutiny. Solicitors acting for potential buyers are scrupulous in demanding to see proof, before completion, that all the necessary planning and other approvals have been gained. As part of this process the Company will be required to attest that there have been no breaches of covenants in relation to the property and therefore it is important that anyone contemplating any development of their property follows the guidance set out above.

Following on from the initial discussion, the Planning Director may attend either or both of the Parish and Arun District Council Planning Meetings, especially if there have been any objections or the application is controversial. In either case he or she is always asked to say whether or not the Company objects to the application. Clearly it is in the shareholder’s own best interests that discussion of any proposals takes place at the earliest date.

Finally, the Company provides guidance on working with contractors on the Estate so that inconvenience to other residents can be kept to a minimum. Notes on the Employment of Contractors are issued to new residents and are also available on this website.

Summary of Points to Note about Planning Developments. 

If you decide to make alterations to your property, please discuss your proposals with the Planning Director. We do have a lot of knowledge relating to the Estate which can often save you time and money.

When you are ready to submit a formal application to Arun District Council,inform the Company in order that we can write a letter to the Aldwick Parish Council to state the Company’s position.

The Parish Council in turn will be contacted by Arun District Council who will provide them with an application number. 

The UK Government has a Planning Portal (www.planningportal.gov.uk) that covers all aspects of the planning process from making a planning application to making an appeal if the application is refused. 

Finally, it is expected that residents proposing any development contact their immediate neighbours and anybody else likely to be impacted by the work at the earliest stage to avoid surprises and inaccurate communication.

May 2022