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South West

Dorset planning statistics

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

Within 8 weeks, no extension

75.4%

68th of 297

12.7 points faster than England

Granted

95.7%

67th of 297

5.2 points higher than England

Extension of time

21.9%

71st of 297

10.4 points lower than England

Decisions (12 months)

1,222

Dorset decided 1,222 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 95.7%.

75.4% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (68th of 297 for speed).

A further 21.9% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

Of 28 householder appeals decided in the same period, 35.7% were allowed.

Dorset was formed from East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland. Its figures start in Apr to Jun 2019.

How quickly decisions are made

Dorset 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
QuarterWithin 8 weeks, no extensionExtension of timeEngland, within 8 weeks
2019 Q240.2%50.7%72.1%
2019 Q343.3%43.7%69.6%
2019 Q434.1%48.8%71.5%
2020 Q130.4%54.4%68.4%
2020 Q229.2%52.4%63.9%
2020 Q326.5%54.0%63.8%
2020 Q420.3%57.8%65.3%
2021 Q111.6%70.7%59.4%
2021 Q212.0%70.5%58.4%
2021 Q310.9%73.1%53.1%
2021 Q422.1%67.4%53.0%
2022 Q135.0%52.7%51.6%
2022 Q252.8%36.9%56.0%
2022 Q348.4%40.4%53.3%
2022 Q450.3%37.6%54.1%
2023 Q163.2%29.6%53.5%
2023 Q264.9%32.4%58.5%
2023 Q368.0%27.7%59.0%
2023 Q469.0%27.6%59.8%
2024 Q169.3%29.3%58.8%
2024 Q278.5%20.1%64.4%
2024 Q377.2%20.9%64.2%
2024 Q476.9%22.3%65.6%
2025 Q172.4%25.1%62.1%
2025 Q280.7%16.5%65.0%
2025 Q377.3%20.2%62.5%
2025 Q481.9%16.4%64.7%
2026 Q170.8%27.2%60.6%
2026 Q271.9%23.6%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Dorset against England

  • Dorset
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterDorsetEngland
2019 Q296.5%91.0%
2019 Q394.5%90.6%
2019 Q494.8%89.8%
2020 Q196.1%89.9%
2020 Q293.2%90.2%
2020 Q395.1%90.6%
2020 Q493.8%90.3%
2021 Q194.3%90.9%
2021 Q295.5%91.2%
2021 Q395.3%91.0%
2021 Q493.2%90.1%
2022 Q194.3%90.0%
2022 Q292.8%90.4%
2022 Q391.4%89.8%
2022 Q492.5%89.4%
2023 Q195.5%89.3%
2023 Q295.4%89.2%
2023 Q392.2%88.6%
2023 Q495.3%88.2%
2024 Q196.0%88.2%
2024 Q293.0%89.1%
2024 Q394.9%89.4%
2024 Q495.2%88.6%
2025 Q192.1%89.3%
2025 Q292.6%90.4%
2025 Q395.3%90.1%
2025 Q496.9%90.1%
2026 Q196.1%90.6%
2026 Q294.6%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks75.4%
  • 8 to 13 weeks1.8%
  • 13 to 26 weeks0.7%
  • Over 26 weeks0.2%
  • Extension of time agreed21.9%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks921
8 to 13 weeks22
13 to 26 weeks9
Over 26 weeks2
Extension of time agreed268

Appeals

Decided
28
Allowed
35.7%
Median wait
12 weeks

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

Local constraints

  • Dorset has published 311 conservation areas.
  • Dorset has published 77 Article 4 areas.

Both can remove permitted development rights. Not every council has published its data yet, so check with the council before relying on permitted development.

Next steps for your extension

Compare every council · How we calculate these figures

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