Dorset planning statistics
Householder applications decided in the year to June 2026, compared with the rest of England.
How long does planning permission take in Dorset?
Dorset decided 75.4% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.
Dorset is highlighted on the map. See on the map
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
Show data
| Quarter | Within 8 weeks, no extension | Extension of time | England, within 8 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Q2 | 40.2% | 50.7% | 72.1% |
| 2019 Q3 | 43.3% | 43.7% | 69.6% |
| 2019 Q4 | 34.1% | 48.8% | 71.5% |
| 2020 Q1 | 30.4% | 54.4% | 68.4% |
| 2020 Q2 | 29.2% | 52.4% | 63.9% |
| 2020 Q3 | 26.5% | 54.0% | 63.8% |
| 2020 Q4 | 20.3% | 57.8% | 65.3% |
| 2021 Q1 | 11.6% | 70.7% | 59.4% |
| 2021 Q2 | 12.0% | 70.5% | 58.4% |
| 2021 Q3 | 10.9% | 73.1% | 53.1% |
| 2021 Q4 | 22.1% | 67.4% | 53.0% |
| 2022 Q1 | 35.0% | 52.7% | 51.6% |
| 2022 Q2 | 52.8% | 36.9% | 56.0% |
| 2022 Q3 | 48.4% | 40.4% | 53.3% |
| 2022 Q4 | 50.3% | 37.6% | 54.1% |
| 2023 Q1 | 63.2% | 29.6% | 53.5% |
| 2023 Q2 | 64.9% | 32.4% | 58.5% |
| 2023 Q3 | 68.0% | 27.7% | 59.0% |
| 2023 Q4 | 69.0% | 27.6% | 59.8% |
| 2024 Q1 | 69.3% | 29.3% | 58.8% |
| 2024 Q2 | 78.5% | 20.1% | 64.4% |
| 2024 Q3 | 77.2% | 20.9% | 64.2% |
| 2024 Q4 | 76.9% | 22.3% | 65.6% |
| 2025 Q1 | 72.4% | 25.1% | 62.1% |
| 2025 Q2 | 80.7% | 16.5% | 65.0% |
| 2025 Q3 | 77.3% | 20.2% | 62.5% |
| 2025 Q4 | 81.9% | 16.4% | 64.7% |
| 2026 Q1 | 70.8% | 27.2% | 60.6% |
| 2026 Q2 | 71.9% | 23.6% | 62.7% |
Share of applications granted
Dorset against England
- Dorset
- England
Show data
| Quarter | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Q2 | 96.5% | 91.0% |
| 2019 Q3 | 94.5% | 90.6% |
| 2019 Q4 | 94.8% | 89.8% |
| 2020 Q1 | 96.1% | 89.9% |
| 2020 Q2 | 93.2% | 90.2% |
| 2020 Q3 | 95.1% | 90.6% |
| 2020 Q4 | 93.8% | 90.3% |
| 2021 Q1 | 94.3% | 90.9% |
| 2021 Q2 | 95.5% | 91.2% |
| 2021 Q3 | 95.3% | 91.0% |
| 2021 Q4 | 93.2% | 90.1% |
| 2022 Q1 | 94.3% | 90.0% |
| 2022 Q2 | 92.8% | 90.4% |
| 2022 Q3 | 91.4% | 89.8% |
| 2022 Q4 | 92.5% | 89.4% |
| 2023 Q1 | 95.5% | 89.3% |
| 2023 Q2 | 95.4% | 89.2% |
| 2023 Q3 | 92.2% | 88.6% |
| 2023 Q4 | 95.3% | 88.2% |
| 2024 Q1 | 96.0% | 88.2% |
| 2024 Q2 | 93.0% | 89.1% |
| 2024 Q3 | 94.9% | 89.4% |
| 2024 Q4 | 95.2% | 88.6% |
| 2025 Q1 | 92.1% | 89.3% |
| 2025 Q2 | 92.6% | 90.4% |
| 2025 Q3 | 95.3% | 90.1% |
| 2025 Q4 | 96.9% | 90.1% |
| 2026 Q1 | 96.1% | 90.6% |
| 2026 Q2 | 94.6% | 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%
Show data
| Time taken | Decisions |
|---|---|
| Within 8 weeks | 921 |
| 8 to 13 weeks | 22 |
| 13 to 26 weeks | 9 |
| Over 26 weeks | 2 |
| Extension of time agreed | 268 |
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.
Refusals overturned at appeal
9.5% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 47 appeals allowed against 497 refusals.
113th 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 30 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 20 needed no approval, 7 were approved and 3 were refused.
Where Dorset had to decide, it refused 3 of 10 (30.0%), against 56.1% across England (2,210 of 3,939 decided).
Figures as first published (provisional).
MHCLG live table PDR 1.
Enforcement
11 planning enforcement notices issued in the year to June 2026.
0.06 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 75th lowest 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
310 conservation areas: Abbotsbury Conservation Area, Acton Conservation Area 1, Acton Conservation Area 2, Almer Conservation Area, Alton Pancras Conservation Area, Ashmore Conservation Area, Beaminster Conservation Area 1, Beaminster Conservation Area 2, Beaminster Conservation Area 3, Beaminster Conservation Area 4, Beaminster Conservation Area 5, Belle Vue Road Conservation Area and 298 more.
76 Article 4 areas: 1-3 The Lane, Kingston, Corfe Castle, 10 Cornwall Road, Swanage, 6 Burlington Road, Swanage, Avon Castle & Matchams Park Estate, Beach Road, West Bexington 3, Bell Hill, Ibberton, Bradford Abbas, Bridport to LymeRegis 1, Bridport to LymeRegis 2, Bunkers Hill, Shipton Gorge, Burton Bradstock, Clappentail Cottage, Clappentail Lane and 64 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
2,275 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 12.0 per 1,000 homes, about 0.5 householder decisions per firm a year.
87th 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
- Dorset75.4%
- Wiltshire53.7%
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole52.5%
- Somerset74.8%
- East Devon74.6%
- New Forest76.7%
- England62.7%
Granted
- Dorset95.7%
- Wiltshire95.5%
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole87.2%
- Somerset93.2%
- East Devon94.2%
- New Forest96.0%
- England90.5%
Refusals overturned at appeal
- Dorset9.5%
- Wiltshire7.3%
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole10.0%
- Somerset11.6%
- East Devon11.8%
- New Forest8.5%
- England8.9%
Registered building firms per 1,000 homes
- Dorset12.0
- Wiltshire10.2
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole11.6
- Somerset10.6
- East Devon10.8
- New Forest11.7
- England median10.1
Questions about planning in Dorset
How long does planning permission take in Dorset?
Dorset decided 75.4% 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 Dorset?
310 conservation areas: Abbotsbury Conservation Area, Acton Conservation Area 1, Acton Conservation Area 2, Almer Conservation Area, Alton Pancras Conservation Area, Ashmore Conservation Area, Beaminster Conservation Area 1, Beaminster Conservation Area 2, Beaminster Conservation Area 3, Beaminster Conservation Area 4, Beaminster Conservation Area 5, Belle Vue Road Conservation Area and 298 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.
How many builders are there in Dorset?
2,275 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 12.0 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 Dorset?
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 Dorset
Homes sold July 2023 to June 2026, matched to the floor area and energy rating on their Energy Performance Certificate.
Median price per m²
£3,807
16,801 sales
6% above South West
Homes sold rated EPC A to C
50.2%
Median energy score 69
In line with South West
Value added by extending, per m²
£2,096
19.8% on the sale price
3% above South West
Energy upgrade, no extension
+5.2%
Sale-price uplift when the energy score rose 5+ points
0.6 points below South West
The median home sold in Dorset was £345,000 for 89 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 37% since 2015 (£2,777 to £3,796 per m², 2025). Across all 134,082 homes with a certificate, 47.4% are rated A to C on their latest one.
1,448 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 33 m². They sold for a median 19.8% more than similar unextended houses, £2,096 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
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