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Lambeth planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in Lambeth?

Lambeth decided 56.0% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Lambeth is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

56.0%

201st of 297

6.7 points slower than England

Granted

83.4%

263rd of 297

7.1 points lower than England

Extension of time

40.5%

215th of 297

8.2 points higher than England

Decisions (12 months)

595

Lambeth decided 595 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 83.4%.

56.0% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (201st of 297 for speed).

A further 40.5% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 58.9% a year earlier.

Of 40 householder appeals decided in the same period, 42.5% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Lambeth 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 Q198.3%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q297.3%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q399.0%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q497.8%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q197.9%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q298.9%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q399.4%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q497.7%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q193.7%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q296.2%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q391.5%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q493.3%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q189.2%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q289.2%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q382.6%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q454.2%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q147.8%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q264.9%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q383.0%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q488.8%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q188.4%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q289.7%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q388.6%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q485.0%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q186.4%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q282.2%0.0%84.9%
2014 Q382.0%0.0%82.5%
2014 Q480.8%0.2%82.1%
2015 Q176.6%0.8%80.4%
2015 Q279.8%5.6%80.6%
2015 Q381.6%11.0%79.2%
2015 Q480.7%10.6%80.0%
2016 Q178.6%13.3%78.3%
2016 Q279.4%13.8%79.8%
2016 Q382.7%10.8%77.7%
2016 Q484.3%11.1%78.0%
2017 Q174.9%22.6%77.3%
2017 Q280.4%16.5%78.5%
2017 Q373.5%21.5%76.1%
2017 Q472.6%24.9%77.1%
2018 Q173.9%18.1%73.7%
2018 Q265.1%26.0%74.0%
2018 Q364.6%28.3%72.7%
2018 Q460.5%31.3%72.7%
2019 Q169.6%26.6%69.9%
2019 Q263.6%34.7%72.1%
2019 Q366.2%31.9%69.6%
2019 Q477.1%21.8%71.5%
2020 Q170.1%27.6%68.4%
2020 Q267.2%30.2%63.9%
2020 Q363.0%36.1%63.8%
2020 Q468.4%31.1%65.3%
2021 Q164.8%31.9%59.4%
2021 Q261.8%36.5%58.4%
2021 Q357.4%40.9%53.1%
2021 Q463.4%35.0%53.0%
2022 Q159.3%37.9%51.6%
2022 Q256.0%35.3%56.0%
2022 Q358.6%34.9%53.3%
2022 Q461.2%29.9%54.1%
2023 Q154.5%43.1%53.5%
2023 Q256.3%40.6%58.5%
2023 Q351.9%44.9%59.0%
2023 Q454.6%42.9%59.8%
2024 Q162.5%34.7%58.8%
2024 Q248.7%48.0%64.4%
2024 Q357.1%37.3%64.2%
2024 Q452.7%47.3%65.6%
2025 Q154.3%45.0%62.1%
2025 Q269.1%27.8%65.0%
2025 Q359.9%38.0%62.5%
2025 Q458.1%37.5%64.7%
2026 Q159.6%37.0%60.6%
2026 Q246.3%49.7%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Lambeth against England

  • Lambeth
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterLambethEngland
2008 Q171.5%85.1%
2008 Q262.7%86.1%
2008 Q356.6%86.3%
2008 Q457.0%85.3%
2009 Q151.7%85.9%
2009 Q252.6%86.8%
2009 Q371.6%87.4%
2009 Q466.2%86.9%
2010 Q170.1%87.0%
2010 Q273.2%88.0%
2010 Q370.9%87.7%
2010 Q465.6%87.5%
2011 Q181.6%87.9%
2011 Q281.6%88.5%
2011 Q376.6%88.3%
2011 Q480.3%88.3%
2012 Q180.9%88.2%
2012 Q279.1%89.2%
2012 Q383.0%89.0%
2012 Q485.6%88.9%
2013 Q175.0%89.8%
2013 Q277.2%90.6%
2013 Q378.2%90.3%
2013 Q471.1%89.6%
2014 Q179.4%89.8%
2014 Q278.9%90.5%
2014 Q370.8%90.0%
2014 Q482.4%89.2%
2015 Q171.8%89.3%
2015 Q272.4%90.2%
2015 Q373.9%90.0%
2015 Q473.9%89.2%
2016 Q175.9%90.0%
2016 Q272.4%90.3%
2016 Q377.1%90.2%
2016 Q470.6%89.7%
2017 Q174.2%89.9%
2017 Q265.1%90.5%
2017 Q370.1%90.0%
2017 Q473.1%90.1%
2018 Q177.3%90.5%
2018 Q272.6%91.0%
2018 Q377.2%91.2%
2018 Q475.5%90.5%
2019 Q181.2%90.3%
2019 Q277.3%91.0%
2019 Q377.6%90.6%
2019 Q479.3%89.8%
2020 Q177.0%89.9%
2020 Q279.2%90.2%
2020 Q385.1%90.6%
2020 Q486.3%90.3%
2021 Q187.0%90.9%
2021 Q284.7%91.2%
2021 Q389.7%91.0%
2021 Q484.7%90.1%
2022 Q177.4%90.0%
2022 Q279.7%90.4%
2022 Q373.3%89.8%
2022 Q471.1%89.4%
2023 Q181.4%89.3%
2023 Q275.0%89.2%
2023 Q374.4%88.6%
2023 Q479.8%88.2%
2024 Q174.3%88.2%
2024 Q288.0%89.1%
2024 Q377.8%89.4%
2024 Q477.9%88.6%
2025 Q188.6%89.3%
2025 Q277.2%90.4%
2025 Q381.7%90.1%
2025 Q485.0%90.1%
2026 Q181.5%90.6%
2026 Q285.0%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks56.0%
  • 8 to 13 weeks3.2%
  • 13 to 26 weeks0.3%
  • Over 26 weeks0.0%
  • Extension of time agreed40.5%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks333
8 to 13 weeks19
13 to 26 weeks2
Over 26 weeks0
Extension of time agreed241

Appeals

Decided
40
Allowed
42.5%
Median wait
14 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

8.8% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 58 appeals allowed against 661 refusals.

129th 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 34 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 21 needed no approval, 3 were approved and 10 were refused.

Where Lambeth had to decide, it refused 10 of 13 (76.9%), against 56.1% across England (2,210 of 3,939 decided).

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.17 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 81st 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

64 conservation areas: Abbeville Road, Albert Embankment, Albert Square, Brixton, Brixton Road, Brixton Water Lane, Brockwell Park, Clapham, Clapham High Street, Clapham Park Road/Northbourne Road, Clapham Road, Elderwood and 52 more.

12 Article 4 areas: ALBERT SQUARE, HYDE FARM, LANSDOWNE GARDENS, LEIGHAM COURT ESTATE, Modified Direction 1 - CAZ, Modified Direction 2 - KIBAs and WNCBC, Modified Direction 3 - Town Centres, PARK HALL ROAD, ST MARKS, ST MARKS/HANOVER GARDENS, STOCKWELL PARK and STREATHAM LODGE ESTATE.

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

745 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 5.0 per 1,000 homes, about 0.8 householder decisions per firm a year.

7th 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 Lambeth

How long does planning permission take in Lambeth?

Lambeth decided 56.0% 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 Lambeth?

64 conservation areas: Abbeville Road, Albert Embankment, Albert Square, Brixton, Brixton Road, Brixton Water Lane, Brockwell Park, Clapham, Clapham High Street, Clapham Park Road/Northbourne Road, Clapham Road, Elderwood and 52 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Lambeth?

745 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 5.0 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 Lambeth?

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 Lambeth

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

Median price per m²

£7,568

8,757 sales

15% above London

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

54.1%

Median energy score 69

6.4 points above London

Value added by extending, per m²

£4,063

15.3% on the sale price

22% above London

Energy upgrade, no extension

+0.9%

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

1.5 points below London

The median home sold in Lambeth was £555,000 for 74 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 13% since 2015 (£6,721 to £7,594 per m², 2025). Across all 120,005 homes with a certificate, 57.0% are rated A to C on their latest one.

427 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 33 m². They sold for a median 15.3% more than similar unextended houses, £4,063 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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