Most like-for-like roof replacements in Worthing are permitted development and need no planning permission. Exceptions include Tarring conservation area, listed buildings, and properties with Article 4 Directions. Building regulations notification is usually required for the thermal element. We confirm the planning position before any Worthing re-roof. Call 01903 905 128.
In most cases, replacing a roof in Worthing is permitted development — meaning you don't need to apply for planning permission. But there are specific situations where you do, and getting this wrong creates problems when you come to sell.
The General Rule: Most Re-Roofing Is Permitted Development
Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, roof repairs and replacements on residential properties are generally permitted development — you can carry them out without applying to Worthing Borough Council for planning permission.
This covers the vast majority of re-roofing work in Worthing: replacing a like-for-like concrete tile roof on a Goring semi, re-slating a Victorian terrace in Broadwater, replacing felt on a flat roof extension in Durrington. No application needed, no fees, no waiting.
Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, like-for-like re-roofing is generally permitted development unless the property is listed or in a conservation area.
Source: Town and Country Planning (GPDO) 2015
When You DO Need Permission
There are four situations in Worthing where planning permission or prior approval may be required:
1. Tarring Village Conservation Area
Tarring village is a designated conservation area. Any alteration to the external appearance of a building within the conservation area that would affect its character requires prior approval from Worthing Borough Council's planning department. This specifically includes:
- Changing the tile or slate type from the existing material (e.g. replacing clay plain tile with modern concrete interlocking)
- Changing the roof colour significantly
- Altering the roof profile or pitch
Note that like-for-like replacement — replacing clay plain tile with the same clay plain tile profile — generally does not require prior approval in Tarring. But if you want to change the material, you need to check with the council first. We can advise on this and prepare the prior approval application where needed.
2. Listed Buildings
Worthing has a number of listed buildings, concentrated in the town centre, along the seafront and in Tarring village. Listed building consent is required for any works that would affect the character or appearance of a listed building — including roof replacement. This applies regardless of whether the property is in a conservation area.
The materials used on a listed building roof must be appropriate to the age and character of the structure. English Heritage and Historic England guidance applies. We have experience working with listed building consent applications and with conservation officers on Worthing's historic stock.
3. Article 4 Directions
Some areas in Worthing have Article 4 Directions in place, which remove certain permitted development rights from properties in the designated area. These typically affect alterations to front elevations and roof materials in areas of particular architectural or historic character. Check with Worthing Borough Council's planning department whether an Article 4 Direction applies to your property before commencing any roof works that change the existing appearance.
4. Changing Roof Profile or Height
If you're not replacing like-for-like but instead raising a flat roof, adding a pitched element, or significantly altering the roof profile, this is likely to require full planning permission regardless of conservation area status. These are structural alterations rather than repairs.
If you're unsure whether your Worthing roof replacement needs planning permission, call Worthing Borough Council's planning department on their pre-application enquiry line, or ask us — we'll give you an honest view based on our experience with local planning requirements. Getting this wrong can create problems on your title when you come to sell.
What About Building Regulations?
Planning permission and building regulations are separate. Even where planning permission is not required, building regulations approval may be needed for roof replacement work. The key triggers are:
- Thermal performance: A full roof replacement is an opportunity to improve insulation, and current building regulations set minimum thermal performance standards for new and replacement roof constructions.
- Structural changes: If the replacement involves any structural alteration to the roof construction, building regulations approval is required.
- Flat roofs: Replacement of a flat roof usually requires building regulations approval to confirm the new construction meets current standards for thermal performance, drainage and structural load.
We handle building regulations notification on all relevant work as part of the job. We don't leave compliance to the homeowner.
The Tile Change Question
The most common planning question we're asked in Worthing is: can I change from concrete tile to clay on my 1930s property? Outside conservation areas and for non-listed buildings, the answer is generally yes — permitted development covers material change on a standard residential property. Inside Tarring conservation area, prior approval is likely required.
We recommend clay interlocking tile as the replacement material for Worthing's concrete tile stock. It's more durable, more coastal-resistant, and looks better on the interwar semi-detached properties that make up most of Worthing's roofing workload. And in the vast majority of cases, no planning application is needed.
Call 01903 905 128 to discuss your project — we'll tell you what's needed and what isn't before we quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases no — like-for-like roof replacement is permitted development on standard residential properties in Worthing. Exceptions include properties in the Tarring conservation area, listed buildings, and properties with Article 4 Directions removing permitted development rights.
Changing the roof material in Tarring conservation area likely requires prior approval from Worthing Borough Council. Like-for-like replacement of the same material generally does not. We advise on the planning position before beginning any Tarring conservation area re-roof.
Usually yes — full roof replacement requires building regulations notification, primarily for the thermal performance element. We handle building regulations notification on all Worthing re-roofs as part of the job.
Yes — for standard residential properties outside conservation areas and not listed, material change from concrete to clay is permitted development. In Tarring conservation area, prior approval may be required. We confirm the planning position before specifying materials.
About the author
Worthing Roofing Experts — local roofing specialists serving Worthing and the West Sussex coast since 2003. NFRC registered, fully insured, 10-year workmanship guarantee on all work. Call 01903 905 128 for a free, no-obligation quote.
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026 by Worthing Roofing Experts.