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Maidstone planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in Maidstone?

Maidstone decided 74.4% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Maidstone is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

74.4%

80th of 297

11.7 points faster than England

Granted

91.7%

156th of 297

1.2 points higher than England

Extension of time

23.5%

86th of 297

8.8 points lower than England

Decisions (12 months)

519

Maidstone decided 519 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 91.7%.

74.4% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (80th of 297 for speed).

A further 23.5% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 88.4% a year earlier.

Of 19 householder appeals decided in the same period, 21.1% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Maidstone 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 Q197.8%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q297.1%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q398.8%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q497.8%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q196.5%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q295.7%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q392.8%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q494.4%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q192.1%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q296.4%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q397.2%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q495.7%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q185.8%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q285.6%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q386.5%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q492.3%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q195.1%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q296.0%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q392.4%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q492.1%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q193.4%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q290.1%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q393.2%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q491.0%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q182.8%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q274.4%6.7%84.9%
2014 Q332.9%41.9%82.5%
2014 Q424.1%58.6%82.1%
2015 Q152.6%39.8%80.4%
2015 Q258.4%34.1%80.6%
2015 Q354.6%38.3%79.2%
2015 Q471.1%23.4%80.0%
2016 Q153.1%45.1%78.3%
2016 Q264.2%32.5%79.8%
2016 Q371.1%24.4%77.7%
2016 Q480.4%17.1%78.0%
2017 Q169.6%27.3%77.3%
2017 Q264.3%30.0%78.5%
2017 Q370.1%27.1%76.1%
2017 Q482.1%13.1%77.1%
2018 Q187.7%6.6%73.7%
2018 Q296.4%2.7%74.0%
2018 Q394.4%5.2%72.7%
2018 Q487.9%10.3%72.7%
2019 Q192.9%7.1%69.9%
2019 Q295.3%4.3%72.1%
2019 Q394.1%5.9%69.6%
2019 Q488.8%10.2%71.5%
2020 Q193.7%5.7%68.4%
2020 Q294.4%5.6%63.9%
2020 Q390.2%9.8%63.8%
2020 Q488.1%11.9%65.3%
2021 Q190.1%9.4%59.4%
2021 Q292.9%7.1%58.4%
2021 Q383.0%16.4%53.1%
2021 Q485.0%14.3%53.0%
2022 Q188.0%12.0%51.6%
2022 Q284.0%15.2%56.0%
2022 Q384.5%13.6%53.3%
2022 Q477.0%21.4%54.1%
2023 Q176.1%22.2%53.5%
2023 Q287.0%10.8%58.5%
2023 Q380.2%14.6%59.0%
2023 Q484.3%13.9%59.8%
2024 Q182.8%17.2%58.8%
2024 Q285.8%12.8%64.4%
2024 Q383.7%13.7%64.2%
2024 Q491.4%7.2%65.6%
2025 Q185.2%12.5%62.1%
2025 Q293.2%5.4%65.0%
2025 Q376.5%22.8%62.5%
2025 Q479.5%18.1%64.7%
2026 Q170.5%26.8%60.6%
2026 Q270.2%26.7%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Maidstone against England

  • Maidstone
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterMaidstoneEngland
2008 Q190.9%85.1%
2008 Q288.4%86.1%
2008 Q389.2%86.3%
2008 Q486.9%85.3%
2009 Q190.3%85.9%
2009 Q292.7%86.8%
2009 Q394.8%87.4%
2009 Q492.3%86.9%
2010 Q193.3%87.0%
2010 Q290.3%88.0%
2010 Q395.8%87.7%
2010 Q497.6%87.5%
2011 Q187.2%87.9%
2011 Q287.4%88.5%
2011 Q387.6%88.3%
2011 Q494.8%88.3%
2012 Q192.6%88.2%
2012 Q292.6%89.2%
2012 Q390.4%89.0%
2012 Q492.7%88.9%
2013 Q195.1%89.8%
2013 Q292.7%90.6%
2013 Q394.1%90.3%
2013 Q490.3%89.6%
2014 Q192.4%89.8%
2014 Q292.3%90.5%
2014 Q391.6%90.0%
2014 Q491.7%89.2%
2015 Q188.6%89.3%
2015 Q288.5%90.2%
2015 Q391.2%90.0%
2015 Q491.7%89.2%
2016 Q188.0%90.0%
2016 Q289.4%90.3%
2016 Q394.3%90.2%
2016 Q489.9%89.7%
2017 Q192.8%89.9%
2017 Q297.4%90.5%
2017 Q394.1%90.0%
2017 Q488.5%90.1%
2018 Q182.5%90.5%
2018 Q285.9%91.0%
2018 Q385.8%91.2%
2018 Q487.9%90.5%
2019 Q183.2%90.3%
2019 Q289.7%91.0%
2019 Q385.4%90.6%
2019 Q488.3%89.8%
2020 Q184.0%89.9%
2020 Q285.2%90.2%
2020 Q385.4%90.6%
2020 Q487.6%90.3%
2021 Q187.3%90.9%
2021 Q283.6%91.2%
2021 Q383.9%91.0%
2021 Q484.3%90.1%
2022 Q181.3%90.0%
2022 Q288.5%90.4%
2022 Q386.9%89.8%
2022 Q484.0%89.4%
2023 Q186.9%89.3%
2023 Q284.3%89.2%
2023 Q383.3%88.6%
2023 Q483.7%88.2%
2024 Q182.1%88.2%
2024 Q285.8%89.1%
2024 Q387.6%89.4%
2024 Q484.9%88.6%
2025 Q185.9%89.3%
2025 Q289.9%90.4%
2025 Q391.9%90.1%
2025 Q489.8%90.1%
2026 Q192.9%90.6%
2026 Q292.4%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks74.4%
  • 8 to 13 weeks1.5%
  • 13 to 26 weeks0.2%
  • Over 26 weeks0.4%
  • Extension of time agreed23.5%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks386
8 to 13 weeks8
13 to 26 weeks1
Over 26 weeks2
Extension of time agreed122

Appeals

Decided
19
Allowed
21.1%
Median wait
9 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

5.3% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 26 appeals allowed against 492 refusals.

46th 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 27 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 19 needed no approval, 4 were approved and 4 were refused.

Fewer than 10 decided in the period.

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.15 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 92nd 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

42 conservation areas: Bearsted Extension, Bearsted Village Green and Holy Cross Church, Bearsted, Holy Cross Church, Boughton Malherbe, Boughton Monchelsea, Cock Street, Boughton Monchelsea, The Green, Boughton Monchelsea, The Quarries, Boxley Abbey, Boxley Village, Broomfield, Detling, East Farleigh, Dean Street and 30 more.

68 Article 4 areas: 29 Albion Place, 62 Earl Street, 66 Earl Street, 70-72 King Street,, 72 Earl Street, Beaux Aires Farm,, Bow Bridge and Teston Bridge, Butlers Farm Loose, Clarendon Place, County Gate, County House, Eyhorne Farm, and 56 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

1,300 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 16.4 per 1,000 homes, about 0.4 householder decisions per firm a year.

30th 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 Maidstone

How long does planning permission take in Maidstone?

Maidstone decided 74.4% 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 Maidstone?

42 conservation areas: Bearsted Extension, Bearsted Village Green and Holy Cross Church, Bearsted, Holy Cross Church, Boughton Malherbe, Boughton Monchelsea, Cock Street, Boughton Monchelsea, The Green, Boughton Monchelsea, The Quarries, Boxley Abbey, Boxley Village, Broomfield, Detling, East Farleigh, Dean Street and 30 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Maidstone?

1,300 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 16.4 per 1,000 homes, about 0.4 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 Maidstone?

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 Maidstone

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

Median price per m²

£4,134

6,834 sales

6% below South East

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

54.2%

Median energy score 70

1.6 points above South East

Value added by extending, per m²

£1,759

14.9% on the sale price

27% below South East

Energy upgrade, no extension

+5.0%

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

0.8 points above South East

The median home sold in Maidstone was £360,000 for 85 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 40% since 2015 (£2,972 to £4,167 per m², 2025). Across all 59,791 homes with a certificate, 56.4% are rated A to C on their latest one.

403 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 32 m². They sold for a median 14.9% more than similar unextended houses, £1,759 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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