Crawley Borough Council adopted a new Householder Development Supplementary Planning Document on 1 June 2026. For a homeowner planning an extension or external alteration, it is a useful prompt to make sure the design team is working from the current local guidance.
What changed in June?
The council says the document expands on Local Plan policies covering extensions and alterations, energy and water efficiency, flood risk and wildlife enhancements. It replaces earlier householder guidance contained in the 2016 Urban Design and Climate Change documents, along with the previous energy and water efficiency guidance note.
This does not mean every roof repair needs a planning application. It means that, where guidance is relevant to the proposed work, the current document should be part of the early checks.
Be specific about what you want to change
A local tile repair, a reroof using a different covering and an extension with a new roof are different proposals. Write down the work you have in mind and whether it changes the roof shape, height, openings or external appearance. Photographs and a simple plan can make the first conversation much more productive.
For a house in Crawley, the address and the individual property's circumstances matter. Do not assume that an alteration on a neighbouring house establishes what can be done at yours.
Coordinate the roof with the rest of the project
If the work includes an extension or loft alteration, discuss the roof with the designer early. Junctions to the existing house, rooflights, rainwater disposal and insulation all need a place in the scope. It is easier to resolve those decisions while the proposal is being developed than after the roof has been opened.
Ask who will check the planning position and any building control requirements. Keep copies of the advice and approvals relevant to the work.
Turn the proposal into a useful roofing brief
Once the intended work is clear, a roofer can discuss access, material options, sequencing and the estimate. Bring the latest drawings and mention any known leaks or previous repairs. If the job is only a repair, describe the symptoms without feeling you need to diagnose the cause.
Start with our new roofs in Crawley page or the planning guidance overview, then check the council's current advice for the address.
Source and further reading
Crawley Borough Council: Householder development SPD, adopted 1 June 2026
The local roofing considerations above are AP Roofing Sussex’s practical commentary on this update. Guidance checked on 29 September 2026.