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Exeter planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in Exeter?

Exeter decided 52.2% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Exeter is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

52.2%

227th of 297

10.5 points slower than England

Granted

83.9%

260th of 297

6.6 points lower than England

Extension of time

38.8%

206th of 297

6.5 points higher than England

Decisions (12 months)

255

Exeter decided 255 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 83.9%.

52.2% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (227th of 297 for speed).

A further 38.8% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 59.9% a year earlier.

Of 12 householder appeals decided in the same period, 25.0% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Exeter 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 Q184.1%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q276.9%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q389.1%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q483.8%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q190.2%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q287.3%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q387.8%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q492.9%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q189.6%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q281.3%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q385.0%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q491.1%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q185.9%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q289.3%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q389.4%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q479.1%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q171.4%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q264.8%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q356.8%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q473.4%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q182.3%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q277.9%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q373.4%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q461.9%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q180.6%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q256.3%0.0%84.9%
2014 Q368.1%0.0%82.5%
2014 Q476.3%0.0%82.1%
2015 Q165.8%0.0%80.4%
2015 Q252.2%0.0%80.6%
2015 Q364.0%1.1%79.2%
2015 Q479.7%4.3%80.0%
2016 Q181.3%7.5%78.3%
2016 Q275.5%10.0%79.8%
2016 Q363.1%7.1%77.7%
2016 Q470.1%10.4%78.0%
2017 Q148.2%7.2%77.3%
2017 Q267.7%4.0%78.5%
2017 Q341.9%10.8%76.1%
2017 Q443.9%30.5%77.1%
2018 Q139.2%52.7%73.7%
2018 Q241.2%48.5%74.0%
2018 Q336.9%45.2%72.7%
2018 Q435.5%46.2%72.7%
2019 Q153.1%27.1%69.9%
2019 Q257.1%37.4%72.1%
2019 Q366.7%25.8%69.6%
2019 Q476.5%9.8%71.5%
2020 Q149.3%33.8%68.4%
2020 Q264.0%16.0%63.9%
2020 Q370.3%20.3%63.8%
2020 Q458.5%29.3%65.3%
2021 Q167.9%20.2%59.4%
2021 Q276.0%16.5%58.4%
2021 Q376.4%13.5%53.1%
2021 Q462.6%26.3%53.0%
2022 Q147.6%22.6%51.6%
2022 Q251.9%17.7%56.0%
2022 Q362.7%15.7%53.3%
2022 Q454.8%17.2%54.1%
2023 Q151.8%26.5%53.5%
2023 Q263.2%32.9%58.5%
2023 Q368.6%19.8%59.0%
2023 Q455.4%36.5%59.8%
2024 Q173.8%16.9%58.8%
2024 Q258.1%35.5%64.4%
2024 Q352.8%30.3%64.2%
2024 Q462.1%33.3%65.6%
2025 Q161.4%28.1%62.1%
2025 Q266.7%26.7%65.0%
2025 Q347.2%37.5%62.5%
2025 Q456.1%34.8%64.7%
2026 Q147.8%47.8%60.6%
2026 Q260.0%34.0%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Exeter against England

  • Exeter
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterExeterEngland
2008 Q145.1%85.1%
2008 Q242.7%86.1%
2008 Q358.4%86.3%
2008 Q456.3%85.3%
2009 Q159.0%85.9%
2009 Q268.3%86.8%
2009 Q371.1%87.4%
2009 Q457.1%86.9%
2010 Q175.3%87.0%
2010 Q265.6%88.0%
2010 Q376.0%87.7%
2010 Q469.3%87.5%
2011 Q173.4%87.9%
2011 Q267.9%88.5%
2011 Q384.7%88.3%
2011 Q487.2%88.3%
2012 Q179.4%88.2%
2012 Q290.1%89.2%
2012 Q389.2%89.0%
2012 Q484.4%88.9%
2013 Q191.1%89.8%
2013 Q296.1%90.6%
2013 Q398.4%90.3%
2013 Q493.7%89.6%
2014 Q197.2%89.8%
2014 Q295.8%90.5%
2014 Q391.3%90.0%
2014 Q494.7%89.2%
2015 Q193.4%89.3%
2015 Q298.6%90.2%
2015 Q396.6%90.0%
2015 Q495.7%89.2%
2016 Q193.8%90.0%
2016 Q297.3%90.3%
2016 Q397.6%90.2%
2016 Q494.0%89.7%
2017 Q192.8%89.9%
2017 Q293.9%90.5%
2017 Q393.2%90.0%
2017 Q497.6%90.1%
2018 Q191.9%90.5%
2018 Q289.7%91.0%
2018 Q394.0%91.2%
2018 Q494.6%90.5%
2019 Q196.9%90.3%
2019 Q284.6%91.0%
2019 Q392.4%90.6%
2019 Q490.2%89.8%
2020 Q191.5%89.9%
2020 Q289.3%90.2%
2020 Q393.2%90.6%
2020 Q493.9%90.3%
2021 Q197.2%90.9%
2021 Q295.0%91.2%
2021 Q391.0%91.0%
2021 Q496.0%90.1%
2022 Q191.7%90.0%
2022 Q277.2%90.4%
2022 Q393.1%89.8%
2022 Q490.3%89.4%
2023 Q191.6%89.3%
2023 Q288.2%89.2%
2023 Q382.6%88.6%
2023 Q475.7%88.2%
2024 Q181.5%88.2%
2024 Q288.7%89.1%
2024 Q385.4%89.4%
2024 Q487.9%88.6%
2025 Q182.5%89.3%
2025 Q288.3%90.4%
2025 Q387.5%90.1%
2025 Q484.8%90.1%
2026 Q185.1%90.6%
2026 Q276.0%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks52.2%
  • 8 to 13 weeks7.1%
  • 13 to 26 weeks2.0%
  • Over 26 weeks0.0%
  • Extension of time agreed38.8%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks133
8 to 13 weeks18
13 to 26 weeks5
Over 26 weeks0
Extension of time agreed99

Appeals

Decided
12
Allowed
25.0%
Median wait
13 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

8.0% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 16 appeals allowed against 200 refusals.

132nd lowest 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, 0 were approved and 1 was refused.

Fewer than 10 decided in the period.

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.08 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 110th 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

20 conservation areas: Alphin Brook, Alphington, Belmont, Central, Cowick Street, Exwick, Heavitree, Longbrook, Lower Summerlands, Midway Terrace and Ide Lane, Mont Le Grand, Pennsylvania and 8 more.

14 Article 4 areas: 2023 Article 4 Direction, Land Adjacent to St Davids Station, Bonhay Road, Land at Duryard, Land at Junction of Belmont Road and Western Way, Land at Sidwell Street, Land at the Exebridge Centre Car Park, Land at the Junction of Leypark Road and Hill Barton Road, Land at the Junction of Prince Charles Road and Stoke Hill, Land at the Strand, Topsham, Land North of Exwick Lane, Midway Terrace and Ide Lane, Alphington, Riverside Pastures, Stoke Road and 2 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

535 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 8.7 per 1,000 homes, about 0.5 householder decisions per firm a year.

90th 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

Granted

Refusals overturned at appeal

Registered building firms per 1,000 homes

Questions about planning in Exeter

How long does planning permission take in Exeter?

Exeter decided 52.2% 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 Exeter?

20 conservation areas: Alphin Brook, Alphington, Belmont, Central, Cowick Street, Exwick, Heavitree, Longbrook, Lower Summerlands, Midway Terrace and Ide Lane, Mont Le Grand, Pennsylvania and 8 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Exeter?

535 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 8.7 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 Exeter?

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 Exeter

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

Median price per m²

£3,703

4,719 sales

3% above South West

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

56.8%

Median energy score 70

6.3 points above South West

Value added by extending, per m²

£1,987

17.9% on the sale price

In line with South West

Energy upgrade, no extension

+6.0%

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

In line with South West

The median home sold in Exeter was £300,500 for 83 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 37% since 2015 (£2,697 to £3,708 per m², 2025). Across all 44,598 homes with a certificate, 58.7% are rated A to C on their latest one.

215 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 26 m². They sold for a median 17.9% more than similar unextended houses, £1,987 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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