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Elmbridge planning statistics

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

Search planning applications on the Elmbridge website (opens in a new tab)Elmbridge council website (opens in a new tab)

How long does planning permission take in Elmbridge?

Elmbridge decided 54.7% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Elmbridge is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

54.7%

210th of 297

8.0 points slower than England

Granted

81.0%

276th of 297

9.5 points lower than England

Extension of time

35.4%

184th of 297

3.1 points higher than England

Decisions (12 months)

900

Elmbridge decided 900 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 81.0%.

54.7% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (210th of 297 for speed).

A further 35.4% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 66.1% a year earlier.

Of 51 householder appeals decided in the same period, 45.1% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Elmbridge 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
2008 Q195.3%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q293.7%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q396.6%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q496.3%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q197.1%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q296.4%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q396.7%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q497.4%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q196.6%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q295.0%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q396.7%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q497.3%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q196.9%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q298.2%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q397.2%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q497.7%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q198.3%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q298.3%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q392.9%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q496.5%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q194.8%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q295.0%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q394.9%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q495.0%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q193.0%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q290.6%0.0%84.9%
2014 Q390.6%0.0%82.5%
2014 Q492.9%0.0%82.1%
2015 Q194.2%0.0%80.4%
2015 Q289.1%0.0%80.6%
2015 Q389.6%1.3%79.2%
2015 Q483.5%8.3%80.0%
2016 Q178.5%14.7%78.3%
2016 Q275.8%18.2%79.8%
2016 Q371.9%19.7%77.7%
2016 Q470.1%25.5%78.0%
2017 Q172.7%24.1%77.3%
2017 Q270.8%19.8%78.5%
2017 Q363.2%20.6%76.1%
2017 Q450.5%39.1%77.1%
2018 Q145.2%41.2%73.7%
2018 Q251.0%36.4%74.0%
2018 Q357.6%32.7%72.7%
2018 Q468.7%24.1%72.7%
2019 Q158.6%37.9%69.9%
2019 Q271.8%24.5%72.1%
2019 Q369.8%26.3%69.6%
2019 Q469.8%27.7%71.5%
2020 Q162.8%33.8%68.4%
2020 Q272.2%24.5%63.9%
2020 Q371.2%25.1%63.8%
2020 Q464.7%32.0%65.3%
2021 Q155.5%38.2%59.4%
2021 Q260.8%34.2%58.4%
2021 Q354.4%38.2%53.1%
2021 Q432.7%55.6%53.0%
2022 Q136.8%53.3%51.6%
2022 Q229.2%62.2%56.0%
2022 Q349.6%45.2%53.3%
2022 Q437.7%45.3%54.1%
2023 Q139.8%53.4%53.5%
2023 Q231.9%54.2%58.5%
2023 Q336.0%50.5%59.0%
2023 Q454.5%38.0%59.8%
2024 Q140.3%52.7%58.8%
2024 Q260.3%31.7%64.4%
2024 Q367.4%26.2%64.2%
2024 Q462.8%29.1%65.6%
2025 Q163.1%33.2%62.1%
2025 Q269.2%28.4%65.0%
2025 Q368.4%29.3%62.5%
2025 Q454.0%39.2%64.7%
2026 Q135.0%54.2%60.6%
2026 Q261.8%19.9%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Elmbridge against England

  • Elmbridge
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterElmbridgeEngland
2008 Q184.9%85.1%
2008 Q283.7%86.1%
2008 Q387.2%86.3%
2008 Q481.1%85.3%
2009 Q184.8%85.9%
2009 Q279.7%86.8%
2009 Q381.8%87.4%
2009 Q483.9%86.9%
2010 Q183.3%87.0%
2010 Q288.6%88.0%
2010 Q384.0%87.7%
2010 Q484.2%87.5%
2011 Q185.7%87.9%
2011 Q287.8%88.5%
2011 Q385.6%88.3%
2011 Q483.2%88.3%
2012 Q187.5%88.2%
2012 Q286.4%89.2%
2012 Q384.4%89.0%
2012 Q487.2%88.9%
2013 Q180.7%89.8%
2013 Q284.7%90.6%
2013 Q386.7%90.3%
2013 Q482.1%89.6%
2014 Q181.2%89.8%
2014 Q284.4%90.5%
2014 Q382.8%90.0%
2014 Q484.2%89.2%
2015 Q180.4%89.3%
2015 Q282.4%90.2%
2015 Q379.4%90.0%
2015 Q481.3%89.2%
2016 Q180.1%90.0%
2016 Q277.2%90.3%
2016 Q379.4%90.2%
2016 Q473.5%89.7%
2017 Q180.7%89.9%
2017 Q277.5%90.5%
2017 Q379.2%90.0%
2017 Q483.5%90.1%
2018 Q187.1%90.5%
2018 Q286.0%91.0%
2018 Q387.1%91.2%
2018 Q486.7%90.5%
2019 Q181.8%90.3%
2019 Q287.9%91.0%
2019 Q386.0%90.6%
2019 Q485.6%89.8%
2020 Q181.6%89.9%
2020 Q284.5%90.2%
2020 Q391.1%90.6%
2020 Q484.0%90.3%
2021 Q183.3%90.9%
2021 Q283.6%91.2%
2021 Q385.6%91.0%
2021 Q485.6%90.1%
2022 Q184.6%90.0%
2022 Q281.8%90.4%
2022 Q379.1%89.8%
2022 Q482.0%89.4%
2023 Q182.8%89.3%
2023 Q283.3%89.2%
2023 Q381.8%88.6%
2023 Q482.0%88.2%
2024 Q182.3%88.2%
2024 Q281.4%89.1%
2024 Q383.7%89.4%
2024 Q479.4%88.6%
2025 Q181.3%89.3%
2025 Q276.4%90.4%
2025 Q376.0%90.1%
2025 Q484.1%90.1%
2026 Q182.1%90.6%
2026 Q282.1%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks54.7%
  • 8 to 13 weeks6.6%
  • 13 to 26 weeks2.9%
  • Over 26 weeks0.4%
  • Extension of time agreed35.4%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks492
8 to 13 weeks59
13 to 26 weeks26
Over 26 weeks4
Extension of time agreed319

Appeals

Decided
51
Allowed
45.1%
Median wait
10 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

9.2% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 92 appeals allowed against 1,002 refusals.

119th 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 31 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 17 needed no approval, 3 were approved and 11 were refused.

Where Elmbridge had to decide, it refused 11 of 14 (78.6%), against 56.1% across England (2,210 of 3,939 decided).

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.13 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 120th 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

25 conservation areas: Brooklands, Claygate Foley Estate, Claygate Village, Cobham, Cobham Plough Corner, Cobham The Tilt, Downside Village, East Molesey Bridge Road, East Molesey Kent Town, East Molesey Old Village, Esher, Giggs Hill Green and 13 more.

Elmbridge 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

695 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 11.5 per 1,000 homes, about 1.3 householder decisions per firm a year.

97th 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.

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

Granted

Refusals overturned at appeal

Registered building firms per 1,000 homes

Questions about planning in Elmbridge

How long does planning permission take in Elmbridge?

Elmbridge decided 54.7% 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 Elmbridge?

25 conservation areas: Brooklands, Claygate Foley Estate, Claygate Village, Cobham, Cobham Plough Corner, Cobham The Tilt, Downside Village, East Molesey Bridge Road, East Molesey Kent Town, East Molesey Old Village, Esher, Giggs Hill Green and 13 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Elmbridge?

695 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 11.5 per 1,000 homes, about 1.3 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 Elmbridge?

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 Elmbridge

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

Median price per m²

£6,479

5,559 sales

48% above South East

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

49.0%

Median energy score 68

3.6 points below South East

Value added by extending, per m²

£3,986

25.0% on the sale price

65% above South East

Energy upgrade, no extension

+5.1%

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

0.9 points above South East

The median home sold in Elmbridge was £650,000 for 101 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 20% since 2015 (£5,382 to £6,461 per m², 2025). Across all 44,644 homes with a certificate, 49.4% are rated A to C on their latest one.

760 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 38 m². They sold for a median 25.0% more than similar unextended houses, £3,986 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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