Online mapping

Wealden Online Mapping helps you view mapped information and planning-policy layers. It is for information only and must not be used as a substitute for formal plans or legal boundary evidence.

Weekly list

The weekly list shows planning applications received and links to application details. It is useful for parish monitoring, neighbourhood groups and residents watching new cases.

Track this app

Open the application, click “Track This App”, enter your name and email address, and confirm the subscription. Alerts can cover new documents, status changes and decisions.

Use SDNPA if the site is inside the park

• Check the South Downs National Park postcode/boundary tool.
• Search applications through the SDNPA planning website.
• Submit planning applications to SDNPA for National Park sites.
• If using Planning Portal, the application should be routed to SDNPA where the site is in the park.

Use Wealden if it is outside the park

• Search the Wealden planning register.
• Use Wealden validation, CIL, local policy and committee routes.
• Use Wealden planning@wealden.gov.uk for general planning questions.
• Use SDNPA only for National Park planning matters.

Useful planning points

• Central government policy and guidance.
• The adopted Development Plan and any emerging plan where relevant.
• Design, layout, scale, height, massing and materials.
• Highway safety, parking, access and traffic impact.
• Noise, disturbance, smell, privacy, overlooking and daylight.
• Listed buildings, conservation areas, landscape and heritage setting.
• Trees, biodiversity, BNG, habitats, drainage, flood risk and environmental impact.
• Conditions you want imposed if the application is approved.

Weak or risky points

• Private neighbour disputes.
• Property value.
• Private legal covenants or land ownership arguments.
• Personal comments about the applicant or objectors.
• Anonymous comments without name and address.
• Copied circular comments with no site-specific evidence.
• Confidential comments that the Council cannot properly publish or assess.

Registration window

Wealden says registration normally opens when the agenda is published, usually midday on the Wednesday in the week before the meeting, and closes at midday on the Tuesday in the week of the meeting. Places are first-come-first-served.

• Provide name, address and phone number.
• State your relationship to the application site.
• Give the application number.
• Say whether you support or object.
• Say whether you will attend in person or online.

Speaker limits

At Majors Planning Committee, up to 3 speakers in favour and 3 against may each speak for up to 3 minutes. At Minors Planning Committee, up to 2 speakers in favour and 2 against may each speak for up to 2 minutes.

• Arrive at least 15 minutes early if attending in person.
• No banners or placards are permitted in the meeting room.
• Meetings may be webcast and recordings may be available for up to two years.
• Use the officer report to focus your speaking points.

Use Planning Portal common projects

Wealden directs users to Planning Portal information for common projects and permitted development limits. Use this as guidance, not as formal confirmation.

Use an LDC for certainty

If you need formal proof that proposed or existing work is lawful, consider a Lawful Development Certificate rather than relying on informal advice.

Check Building Regulations separately

Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate. Work may not need planning permission but still need Building Control approval.

Before you start the form

• Confirm the correct application type.
• Check if the site is inside the South Downs National Park.
• Read Wealden’s local validation requirements.
• Check if pre-application advice would reduce risk.
• Check whether CIL applies.
• Check if BNG, drainage, fire, heritage or ecological evidence is triggered.
• Check Building Regulations separately.

Before upload or email submission

• Prepare the correct form and fee.
• Use correct ownership certificates and notices.
• Upload plans with correct scale, north point and scale bar.
• Make documents legible and clearly named.
• Do not rely on Online Mapping screenshots as application plans.
• If not using Planning Portal, send forms and documents to planning@wealden.gov.uk as Wealden’s page allows.

Online mapping limitations

• Mapping is for information purposes only.
• The mapping terms are non-commercial and view-only.
• The Council does not guarantee completeness or suitability for your purpose.
• The data must not be used as formal submission material.
• For map enquiries, Wealden lists gis@wealden.gov.uk.

Formal plan checks

• Show the site edged red.
• Show other nearby applicant-owned land edged blue where required.
• Use an up-to-date map base.
• Use recognised metric scale and a matching scale bar.
• Show north point and adjoining roads/buildings.
• Use clear drawing numbers, titles and revision dates.

BNG application checks

• Most development must deliver at least 10% BNG unless an exemption applies.
• Wealden’s emerging policy position seeks higher gain on qualifying sites, so check the current page.
• The metric, baseline plan and post-development habitat plan should match the red-line boundary.
• Exemption claims must be identified on the application form and explained.
• Priority habitat impact can stop a small-site exemption from applying.

Wildlife still matters if BNG is exempt

Wealden’s August 2026 update explains that an exemption from mandatory BNG does not remove the need to consider protected habitats, protected species or other planning policies about biodiversity.

• Check trees, hedges, ponds and mature habitats.
• Consider bats, birds, dormice and protected species.
• Use an ecologist early where surveys may be seasonal.
• Do not draw the red line to manipulate BNG results.

New Local Plan

Wealden’s current timetable says the Submission Draft Regulation 19 Local Plan is due to be considered in September 2026, with a six-week representations period expected afterwards and submission to Government before the end of 2026.

Policies map and SHELAA

The online policies map and SHELAA mapping can show draft allocations, boundaries, constraints and site evidence. These are important for understanding policy context but are not the same as a planning approval.

Neighbourhood planning

Check parish or neighbourhood plan policies where relevant. A small rural or village proposal may be affected by local settlement, design, landscape or housing policies.