Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole planning statistics
Householder applications decided in the year to June 2026, compared with the rest of England.
How long does planning permission take in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole decided 52.5% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is highlighted on the map. See on the map
Within 8 weeks, no extension
52.5%
224th of 297
10.2 points slower than England
Granted
87.2%
233rd of 297
3.3 points lower than England
Extension of time
42.5%
226th of 297
10.2 points higher than England
Decisions (12 months)
1,131
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole decided 1,131 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 87.2%.
52.5% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (224th of 297 for speed).
A further 42.5% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.
That is up from 37.8% a year earlier.
Of 40 householder appeals decided in the same period, 35.0% were allowed.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole was formed from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Its figures start in Apr to Jun 2019.
How quickly decisions are made
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole against England, share of householder decisions each quarter
- Within 8 weeks, no extension
- Extension of time
- England, within 8 weeks
Show data
| Quarter | Within 8 weeks, no extension | Extension of time | England, within 8 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Q2 | 70.8% | 24.9% | 72.1% |
| 2019 Q3 | 68.7% | 20.3% | 69.6% |
| 2019 Q4 | 73.8% | 18.2% | 71.5% |
| 2020 Q1 | 62.3% | 27.9% | 68.4% |
| 2020 Q2 | 42.8% | 45.0% | 63.9% |
| 2020 Q3 | 26.4% | 45.0% | 63.8% |
| 2020 Q4 | 41.1% | 36.6% | 65.3% |
| 2021 Q1 | 37.4% | 48.1% | 59.4% |
| 2021 Q2 | 41.5% | 47.5% | 58.4% |
| 2021 Q3 | 34.7% | 51.1% | 53.1% |
| 2021 Q4 | 26.1% | 56.9% | 53.0% |
| 2022 Q1 | 46.7% | 49.0% | 51.6% |
| 2022 Q2 | 57.3% | 38.8% | 56.0% |
| 2022 Q3 | 66.4% | 27.2% | 53.3% |
| 2022 Q4 | 54.6% | 35.7% | 54.1% |
| 2023 Q1 | 56.7% | 34.6% | 53.5% |
| 2023 Q2 | 42.2% | 49.4% | 58.5% |
| 2023 Q3 | 46.5% | 47.2% | 59.0% |
| 2023 Q4 | 46.7% | 47.6% | 59.8% |
| 2024 Q1 | 41.0% | 52.0% | 58.8% |
| 2024 Q2 | 48.7% | 47.8% | 64.4% |
| 2024 Q3 | 37.6% | 58.1% | 64.2% |
| 2024 Q4 | 46.3% | 48.1% | 65.6% |
| 2025 Q1 | 35.7% | 57.1% | 62.1% |
| 2025 Q2 | 31.9% | 64.0% | 65.0% |
| 2025 Q3 | 38.3% | 52.7% | 62.5% |
| 2025 Q4 | 49.4% | 46.7% | 64.7% |
| 2026 Q1 | 59.6% | 37.9% | 60.6% |
| 2026 Q2 | 63.0% | 32.9% | 62.7% |
Share of applications granted
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole against England
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- England
Show data
| Quarter | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Q2 | 89.7% | 91.0% |
| 2019 Q3 | 89.8% | 90.6% |
| 2019 Q4 | 87.1% | 89.8% |
| 2020 Q1 | 90.2% | 89.9% |
| 2020 Q2 | 90.1% | 90.2% |
| 2020 Q3 | 89.7% | 90.6% |
| 2020 Q4 | 87.3% | 90.3% |
| 2021 Q1 | 91.3% | 90.9% |
| 2021 Q2 | 90.4% | 91.2% |
| 2021 Q3 | 93.5% | 91.0% |
| 2021 Q4 | 89.3% | 90.1% |
| 2022 Q1 | 89.5% | 90.0% |
| 2022 Q2 | 87.1% | 90.4% |
| 2022 Q3 | 83.2% | 89.8% |
| 2022 Q4 | 80.9% | 89.4% |
| 2023 Q1 | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| 2023 Q2 | 91.3% | 89.2% |
| 2023 Q3 | 86.4% | 88.6% |
| 2023 Q4 | 81.1% | 88.2% |
| 2024 Q1 | 82.6% | 88.2% |
| 2024 Q2 | 88.8% | 89.1% |
| 2024 Q3 | 89.0% | 89.4% |
| 2024 Q4 | 90.1% | 88.6% |
| 2025 Q1 | 88.3% | 89.3% |
| 2025 Q2 | 90.2% | 90.4% |
| 2025 Q3 | 88.9% | 90.1% |
| 2025 Q4 | 88.1% | 90.1% |
| 2026 Q1 | 84.3% | 90.6% |
| 2026 Q2 | 87.3% | 91.0% |
How long decisions took
Householder decisions over the last 12 months
- Within 8 weeks52.5%
- 8 to 13 weeks2.4%
- 13 to 26 weeks2.0%
- Over 26 weeks0.5%
- Extension of time agreed42.5%
Show data
| Time taken | Decisions |
|---|---|
| Within 8 weeks | 594 |
| 8 to 13 weeks | 27 |
| 13 to 26 weeks | 23 |
| Over 26 weeks | 6 |
| Extension of time agreed | 481 |
Appeals
- Decided
- 40
- Allowed
- 35.0%
- Median wait
- 12 weeks
Householder appeals to the Planning Inspectorate decided in the same 12 months. England: 34.4% allowed.
Refusals overturned at appeal
10.0% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 93 appeals allowed against 932 refusals.
97th highest of 299 planning authorities. England: 8.9% (July 2021 to June 2026).
Householder refusals from MHCLG table PS2; appeals allowed from the Planning Inspectorate. Approximate: appeals decided in the period, which can relate to earlier refusals.
Larger home extensions (prior approval)
Single-storey rear extensions deeper than 4 metres on a detached house (3 metres otherwise), up to 8 metres (6 metres), can use prior approval instead of a planning application, except in conservation areas, National Landscapes and other protected areas.
Of 43 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 28 needed no approval, 1 was approved and 14 were refused.
Where Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole had to decide, it refused 14 of 15 (93.3%), against 56.1% across England (2,210 of 3,939 decided).
Figures as first published (provisional).
MHCLG live table PDR 1.
Enforcement
20 planning enforcement notices issued in the year to June 2026.
0.10 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 145th highest of 294 planning authorities.
Covers all types of development, not only extensions.
MHCLG table P130; homes from the VOA Council Tax stock of properties.
Protected areas
48 conservation areas: Ashington, Ashley Cross, Avon Buildings, Boscombe Manor, Boscombe Spa, Bramble Lane, Branksome Park and Chine Gardens, Brunstead Road, Burton, Canford Cliffs Village, Canford Magna, Chester Road and 36 more.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has not published its Article 4 directions to the national planning data service, so the count may be incomplete.
Both can remove permitted development rights, so check with the council before relying on them. Permitted development rules
To check one postcode for a conservation area, listed buildings nearby, flood zone and radon, use the address check.
planning.data.gov.uk.
Builders
2,210 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 11.6 per 1,000 homes, about 0.5 householder decisions per firm a year.
94th highest of 294 planning authorities. England median: 10.1 per 1,000 homes and 0.5 decisions per firm.
Counts VAT or PAYE registered firms only, rounded to 5 by ONS; self-employed builders below the VAT threshold aren't included.
ONS UK Business Counts; homes from the VOA Council Tax stock of properties; decisions from MHCLG table PS2.
Compared with neighbouring councils
Decisions and approvals in the year to June 2026; overturns over each council's appeal window; builders per 1,000 homes in 2026.
Decided within 8 weeks, no extension
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole52.5%
- Dorset75.4%
- New Forest76.7%
- New Forest National Park52.5%
- England62.7%
Granted
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole87.2%
- Dorset95.7%
- New Forest96.0%
- New Forest National Park90.8%
- England90.5%
Refusals overturned at appeal
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole10.0%
- Dorset9.5%
- New Forest8.5%
- New Forest National Park26.6%
- England8.9%
Registered building firms per 1,000 homes
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole11.6
- Dorset12.0
- New Forest11.7
- New Forest National ParkNo data
- England median10.1
Questions about planning in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
How long does planning permission take in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole decided 52.5% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.
Is my house in a conservation area in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
48 conservation areas: Ashington, Ashley Cross, Avon Buildings, Boscombe Manor, Boscombe Spa, Bramble Lane, Branksome Park and Chine Gardens, Brunstead Road, Burton, Canford Cliffs Village, Canford Magna, Chester Road and 36 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.
How many builders are there in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
2,210 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 11.6 per 1,000 homes, about 0.5 householder decisions per firm a year. Counts VAT or PAYE registered firms only, rounded to 5 by ONS; self-employed builders below the VAT threshold aren't included.
Do I need planning permission for an extension in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
Many extensions can be built under permitted development without an application, but conservation areas and Article 4 directions can remove those rights, so check whether your address is in a conservation area or covered by an Article 4 direction before relying on them. Do you need planning permission?
Property prices and energy performance in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Homes sold July 2023 to June 2026, matched to the floor area and energy rating on their Energy Performance Certificate.
Median price per m²
£4,068
14,994 sales
13% above South West
Homes sold rated EPC A to C
46.1%
Median energy score 68
4.4 points below South West
Value added by extending, per m²
£2,468
24.6% on the sale price
22% above South West
Energy upgrade, no extension
+4.4%
Sale-price uplift when the energy score rose 5+ points
1.4 points below South West
The median home sold in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole was £345,000 for 84 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 37% since 2015 (£2,979 to £4,068 per m², 2025). Across all 142,631 homes with a certificate, 50.2% are rated A to C on their latest one.
1,222 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 37 m². They sold for a median 24.6% more than similar unextended houses, £2,468 for each m² added. Will an extension pay for itself here?
Medians from HM Land Registry sale prices and MHCLG Energy Performance Certificates; groups under 30 sales or 50 extended houses are not shown. These describe past sales across many homes, not a valuation of any one. How these are worked out
Next steps for your extension
Get new blog posts by email
One email each time we publish a new post on project managing your build. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.