Certificate of Lawfulness Granted by Mid Sussex for a Dwelling Near East Grinstead
Certificate of Lawfulness from Mid Sussex District Council for an existing dwelling near East Grinstead, confirming 13 years of continuous residential occupation as part of a wider strategic redevelopment scheme.
COL APPROVALSMID SUSSEXWEST SUSSEX
Andrew Ransome
6/21/20262 min read
In 2017, Mid Sussex District Council issued a Certificate of Lawfulness confirming the lawful residential use of a building near East Grinstead that had been continuously occupied as a dwelling for over 13 years.
The application formed the first phase of a wider strategic scheme involving the relocation of a pet crematorium business and the creation of two new dwellings, and was resolved by presenting a comprehensive evidence base far exceeding the four-year threshold.
Certificate of Lawfulness Evidence for Mid Sussex
A Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use was secured from Mid Sussex District Council for a building near East Grinstead that had been in continuous use as a residential dwelling since 2004 — well in excess of the four years required under planning law for residential use to become immune from enforcement action.
The site formed part of a complex, multi-phase planning strategy involving tan established pet crematorium business and the future redevelopment of the wider site into two new dwellings.
Establishing the lawful residential status of the existing building was an essential prerequisite to the next phase of the strategy.
Without the Certificate, the future planning case for replacement housing on the site would have been far more difficult to make. Securing it at the outset was therefore a strategically important step, not simply a compliance exercise.
Working with the client, a robust evidence dossier was compiled demonstrating continuous residential occupation of the building for over 13 years. The evidence substantially exceeded the four-year minimum required, and included receipts, invoices, statutory declarations and occupancy records.
Mid Sussex District Council was satisfied that the balance of probability test was met and that there were no grounds to refuse.
Planning Application Advice
If you are dealing with a site that has a complex planning history, or need to establish the lawful status of an existing use as part of a wider development strategy, I can advise on the right approach and manage the process from start to finish. Get in touch to discuss your situation.
Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
About me
Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
Certificate of Lawfulness Successes
Permitted Development Information
Get in touch for planning advice: Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
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