South East

Canterbury planning statistics

Householder applications decided in the year to June 2026, compared with the rest of England.

Search planning applications Canterbury council website

How long does planning permission take in Canterbury?

Canterbury decided 48.0% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Canterbury is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

48.0%

244th of 297

14.7 points slower than England

Granted

96.9%

39th of 297

6.4 points higher than England

Extension of time

31.3%

149th of 297

1.0 points lower than England

Decisions (12 months)

544

Canterbury decided 544 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 96.9%.

48.0% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (244th of 297 for speed).

A further 31.3% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is up from 42.1% a year earlier.

Of 6 householder appeals decided in the same period, 50.0% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Canterbury against England, share of householder decisions each quarter

Within 8 weeks, no extension
Extension of time
England, within 8 weeks

Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk

Show data

Quarter	Within 8 weeks, no extension	Extension of time	England, within 8 weeks
2008 Q1	82.6%	0.0%	89.5%
2008 Q2	88.0%	0.0%	89.4%
2008 Q3	93.2%	0.0%	89.7%
2008 Q4	91.0%	0.0%	90.3%
2009 Q1	89.5%	0.0%	90.3%
2009 Q2	90.0%	0.0%	91.7%
2009 Q3	91.9%	0.0%	91.4%
2009 Q4	89.7%	0.0%	91.0%
2010 Q1	83.4%	0.0%	88.8%
2010 Q2	80.8%	0.0%	89.8%
2010 Q3	84.2%	0.0%	88.4%
2010 Q4	79.6%	0.0%	87.7%
2011 Q1	80.6%	0.0%	86.4%
2011 Q2	72.5%	0.0%	85.9%
2011 Q3	78.8%	0.0%	84.9%
2011 Q4	85.2%	0.0%	84.9%
2012 Q1	85.7%	0.0%	83.7%
2012 Q2	84.0%	0.0%	84.2%
2012 Q3	82.0%	0.0%	82.9%
2012 Q4	93.9%	0.0%	85.2%
2013 Q1	93.3%	0.0%	85.7%
2013 Q2	85.4%	0.0%	86.3%
2013 Q3	66.3%	0.0%	85.3%
2013 Q4	78.5%	0.0%	86.3%
2014 Q1	90.6%	0.0%	85.4%
2014 Q2	94.2%	3.4%	84.9%
2014 Q3	93.0%	2.3%	82.5%
2014 Q4	93.0%	6.0%	82.1%
2015 Q1	93.0%	4.5%	80.4%
2015 Q2	86.0%	5.0%	80.6%
2015 Q3	79.0%	6.8%	79.2%
2015 Q4	85.1%	5.3%	80.0%
2016 Q1	81.5%	5.3%	78.3%
2016 Q2	78.5%	5.2%	79.8%
2016 Q3	79.6%	9.3%	77.7%
2016 Q4	78.4%	8.0%	78.0%
2017 Q1	80.7%	12.7%	77.3%
2017 Q2	78.8%	13.6%	78.5%
2017 Q3	82.4%	9.4%	76.1%
2017 Q4	81.0%	15.8%	77.1%
2018 Q1	67.7%	27.6%	73.7%
2018 Q2	70.0%	28.1%	74.0%
2018 Q3	79.3%	17.6%	72.7%
2018 Q4	70.7%	24.0%	72.7%
2019 Q1	72.0%	26.3%	69.9%
2019 Q2	72.5%	25.4%	72.1%
2019 Q3	76.3%	22.4%	69.6%
2019 Q4	86.8%	12.6%	71.5%
2020 Q1	80.3%	16.5%	68.4%
2020 Q2	76.8%	17.3%	63.9%
2020 Q3	76.7%	13.8%	63.8%
2020 Q4	66.5%	25.5%	65.3%
2021 Q1	55.2%	39.3%	59.4%
2021 Q2	39.1%	54.5%	58.4%
2021 Q3	43.4%	46.1%	53.1%
2021 Q4	46.3%	45.2%	53.0%
2022 Q1	58.6%	34.7%	51.6%
2022 Q2	62.3%	32.9%	56.0%
2022 Q3	38.3%	49.6%	53.3%
2022 Q4	63.1%	32.8%	54.1%
2023 Q1	53.6%	42.5%	53.5%
2023 Q2	51.5%	38.7%	58.5%
2023 Q3	53.8%	35.2%	59.0%
2023 Q4	57.6%	31.1%	59.8%
2024 Q1	28.4%	37.3%	58.8%
2024 Q2	9.2%	47.1%	64.4%
2024 Q3	31.0%	38.0%	64.2%
2024 Q4	42.2%	31.8%	65.6%
2025 Q1	46.3%	37.2%	62.1%
2025 Q2	52.0%	29.8%	65.0%
2025 Q3	33.9%	44.1%	62.5%
2025 Q4	30.6%	46.8%	64.7%
2026 Q1	50.6%	27.8%	60.6%
2026 Q2	74.1%	8.9%	62.7%

Share of applications granted

Canterbury against England

Canterbury
England

Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk

Show data

Quarter	Canterbury	England
2008 Q1	88.3%	85.1%
2008 Q2	86.1%	86.1%
2008 Q3	88.9%	86.3%
2008 Q4	89.5%	85.3%
2009 Q1	88.0%	85.9%
2009 Q2	86.0%	86.8%
2009 Q3	87.2%	87.4%
2009 Q4	90.2%	86.9%
2010 Q1	94.5%	87.0%
2010 Q2	91.0%	88.0%
2010 Q3	91.8%	87.7%
2010 Q4	94.0%	87.5%
2011 Q1	91.0%	87.9%
2011 Q2	94.4%	88.5%
2011 Q3	92.0%	88.3%
2011 Q4	94.2%	88.3%
2012 Q1	94.1%	88.2%
2012 Q2	95.7%	89.2%
2012 Q3	96.0%	89.0%
2012 Q4	92.6%	88.9%
2013 Q1	90.8%	89.8%
2013 Q2	95.7%	90.6%
2013 Q3	93.0%	90.3%
2013 Q4	92.7%	89.6%
2014 Q1	87.7%	89.8%
2014 Q2	90.8%	90.5%
2014 Q3	92.1%	90.0%
2014 Q4	89.5%	89.2%
2015 Q1	90.0%	89.3%
2015 Q2	90.1%	90.2%
2015 Q3	91.2%	90.0%
2015 Q4	88.8%	89.2%
2016 Q1	94.2%	90.0%
2016 Q2	91.8%	90.3%
2016 Q3	94.4%	90.2%
2016 Q4	88.8%	89.7%
2017 Q1	92.0%	89.9%
2017 Q2	92.4%	90.5%
2017 Q3	89.5%	90.0%
2017 Q4	94.6%	90.1%
2018 Q1	95.3%	90.5%
2018 Q2	93.8%	91.0%
2018 Q3	96.4%	91.2%
2018 Q4	95.7%	90.5%
2019 Q1	97.1%	90.3%
2019 Q2	95.0%	91.0%
2019 Q3	95.6%	90.6%
2019 Q4	97.0%	89.8%
2020 Q1	95.2%	89.9%
2020 Q2	95.2%	90.2%
2020 Q3	97.9%	90.6%
2020 Q4	94.3%	90.3%
2021 Q1	97.6%	90.9%
2021 Q2	98.7%	91.2%
2021 Q3	99.0%	91.0%
2021 Q4	92.3%	90.1%
2022 Q1	94.6%	90.0%
2022 Q2	97.4%	90.4%
2022 Q3	93.5%	89.8%
2022 Q4	95.9%	89.4%
2023 Q1	97.2%	89.3%
2023 Q2	92.2%	89.2%
2023 Q3	94.0%	88.6%
2023 Q4	89.4%	88.2%
2024 Q1	97.1%	88.2%
2024 Q2	97.5%	89.1%
2024 Q3	94.4%	89.4%
2024 Q4	94.3%	88.6%
2025 Q1	95.1%	89.3%
2025 Q2	97.1%	90.4%
2025 Q3	98.4%	90.1%
2025 Q4	96.8%	90.1%
2026 Q1	97.5%	90.6%
2026 Q2	94.8%	91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

Within 8 weeks48.0%
8 to 13 weeks14.0%
13 to 26 weeks5.5%
Over 26 weeks1.3%
Extension of time agreed31.3%

Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk

Show data

Time taken	Decisions
Within 8 weeks	261
8 to 13 weeks	76
13 to 26 weeks	30
Over 26 weeks	7
Extension of time agreed	170

Appeals

Decided: 6
Allowed: 50.0%
Median wait: 11 weeks

Householder appeals to the Planning Inspectorate decided in the same 12 months. England: 34.4% allowed.

Refusals overturned at appeal

11.8% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 20 appeals allowed against 169 refusals.

61st 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 14 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 13 needed no approval, 1 was approved and 0 were refused.

Fewer than 10 decided in the period.

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

8 planning enforcement notices issued in the year to June 2026.

0.11 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 137th 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

98 conservation areas: 1937 KENT AND CANTERBURY HOSPITAL (Canterbury Conservation Area) Reg 12/11/1998, ADISHAM registered 29.03.1995, ALLCROFT GRANGE ( HACKINGTON ), AMERY COURT ( BLEAN ), ANVIL GREEN ( WALTHAM ), BARHAM, BARHAM - DERRINGSTONE The Derringstone Conservation Area, BEKESBOURNE AND WOOLTON FARM, BIFRONS PARK ( BEKESBOURNE WITH PATRIXBOURNE/ BRIDGE ), BISHOPSBOURNE, BLEAN, BLOODDEN ( ADISHAM ) and 86 more.

461 Article 4 areas: 1 AND 2 CHURCH COTTAGES, CHURCH LANE, NACKINGTON, 1 BOURNE COTTAGES, THE STREET, BISHOPSBOURNE, 1 BOX TREE COTTAGES, BOLTS HILL, 1 BUTTS COTTAGES, LOWER HARDRES, 1 CLAVERINGS COTTAGES, SUMMER HILL, 1 EAST WOOTTON COTTAGES, GARLINGE GREEN ROAD, 1 FORDWICH ROAD, STURRY, 1 HIGH STREET, FORDWICH, 1 MATTHEWS OAST, PLOUGH LANE, HARBLEDOWN, 1 OAST COTTAGES, THE STREET, ICKHAM, 1 SCHOOL COTTAGES, THE STREET, WICKHAMBREAUX, 1 SEATON ROAD COTTAGES, SEATON ROAD, WICKHAMBREAUX and 449 more.

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

670 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 9.2 per 1,000 homes, about 0.8 householder decisions per firm a year.

111th lowest 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.

Finding a builder

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

Canterbury48.0%
Ashford62.1%
Dover84.8%
Folkestone and Hythe96.2%
Swale46.9%
Thanet61.5%
England62.7%

Granted

Canterbury96.9%
Ashford94.3%
Dover92.8%
Folkestone and Hythe86.2%
Swale94.5%
Thanet93.3%
England90.5%

Refusals overturned at appeal

Canterbury11.8%
Ashford3.4%
Dover5.2%
Folkestone and Hythe7.1%
Swale14.5%
Thanet4.5%
England8.9%

Registered building firms per 1,000 homes

Canterbury9.2
Ashford14.0
Dover8.3
Folkestone and Hythe8.5
Swale12.1
Thanet9.5
England median10.1

Questions about planning in Canterbury

How long does planning permission take in Canterbury?

Canterbury decided 48.0% 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 Canterbury?

How many builders are there in Canterbury?

670 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 9.2 per 1,000 homes, about 0.8 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 Canterbury?

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 Canterbury

Homes sold July 2023 to June 2026, matched to the floor area and energy rating on their Energy Performance Certificate.

Median price per m²

£3,938

5,925 sales

10% below South East

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

50.1%

Median energy score 69

2.5 points below South East

Value added by extending, per m²

£2,712

27.0% on the sale price

12% above South East

Energy upgrade, no extension

+4.4%

Sale-price uplift when the energy score rose 5+ points

In line with South East

The median home sold in Canterbury was £350,000 for 87 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 32% since 2015 (£2,986 to £3,930 per m², 2025). Across all 53,816 homes with a certificate, 50.4% are rated A to C on their latest one.

473 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 32 m². They sold for a median 27.0% more than similar unextended houses, £2,712 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

Compare every council · How we calculate these figures

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