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Mid Sussex planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in Mid Sussex?

Mid Sussex decided 64.8% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Mid Sussex is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

64.8%

143rd of 297

2.1 points faster than England

Granted

92.6%

142nd of 297

2.1 points higher than England

Extension of time

34.0%

173rd of 297

1.7 points higher than England

Decisions (12 months)

679

Mid Sussex decided 679 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 92.6%.

64.8% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (143rd of 297 for speed).

A further 34.0% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 72.4% a year earlier.

Of 23 householder appeals decided in the same period, 30.4% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Mid Sussex 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 Q194.7%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q298.2%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q398.1%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q498.0%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q195.1%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q297.8%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q396.5%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q498.6%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q195.3%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q298.2%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q397.6%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q496.9%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q195.9%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q296.3%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q397.3%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q497.9%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q197.5%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q298.2%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q396.2%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q496.7%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q197.0%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q297.0%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q397.9%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q497.2%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q196.3%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q296.4%0.0%84.9%
2014 Q396.1%1.3%82.5%
2014 Q494.8%3.8%82.1%
2015 Q195.8%4.2%80.4%
2015 Q290.6%6.8%80.6%
2015 Q385.1%11.8%79.2%
2015 Q488.0%10.7%80.0%
2016 Q190.3%7.7%78.3%
2016 Q287.1%11.7%79.8%
2016 Q386.9%11.4%77.7%
2016 Q486.0%12.8%78.0%
2017 Q187.1%12.9%77.3%
2017 Q278.1%21.2%78.5%
2017 Q382.6%16.1%76.1%
2017 Q483.1%16.1%77.1%
2018 Q179.0%19.0%73.7%
2018 Q283.4%15.9%74.0%
2018 Q383.3%15.6%72.7%
2018 Q483.8%16.2%72.7%
2019 Q179.5%19.5%69.9%
2019 Q285.3%14.7%72.1%
2019 Q386.8%13.2%69.6%
2019 Q475.5%24.5%71.5%
2020 Q179.1%20.9%68.4%
2020 Q279.8%20.2%63.9%
2020 Q377.1%22.9%63.8%
2020 Q483.0%17.0%65.3%
2021 Q174.8%25.2%59.4%
2021 Q278.5%20.9%58.4%
2021 Q372.8%26.5%53.1%
2021 Q472.2%27.8%53.0%
2022 Q175.5%24.2%51.6%
2022 Q276.4%23.6%56.0%
2022 Q373.6%26.4%53.3%
2022 Q474.5%25.5%54.1%
2023 Q170.2%29.4%53.5%
2023 Q271.9%28.1%58.5%
2023 Q373.7%25.3%59.0%
2023 Q471.5%27.2%59.8%
2024 Q171.8%28.2%58.8%
2024 Q279.2%20.8%64.4%
2024 Q371.8%27.6%64.2%
2024 Q476.8%22.5%65.6%
2025 Q175.3%24.7%62.1%
2025 Q267.6%31.9%65.0%
2025 Q361.4%36.7%62.5%
2025 Q466.0%33.3%64.7%
2026 Q160.9%37.9%60.6%
2026 Q269.7%29.3%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Mid Sussex against England

  • Mid Sussex
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterMid SussexEngland
2008 Q185.8%85.1%
2008 Q286.3%86.1%
2008 Q389.6%86.3%
2008 Q487.8%85.3%
2009 Q188.9%85.9%
2009 Q290.1%86.8%
2009 Q390.4%87.4%
2009 Q493.3%86.9%
2010 Q188.9%87.0%
2010 Q294.7%88.0%
2010 Q394.4%87.7%
2010 Q493.9%87.5%
2011 Q193.4%87.9%
2011 Q290.9%88.5%
2011 Q393.2%88.3%
2011 Q493.8%88.3%
2012 Q195.0%88.2%
2012 Q296.4%89.2%
2012 Q395.1%89.0%
2012 Q494.3%88.9%
2013 Q190.5%89.8%
2013 Q294.5%90.6%
2013 Q396.6%90.3%
2013 Q497.6%89.6%
2014 Q195.7%89.8%
2014 Q295.2%90.5%
2014 Q396.5%90.0%
2014 Q497.7%89.2%
2015 Q196.7%89.3%
2015 Q298.3%90.2%
2015 Q395.2%90.0%
2015 Q495.7%89.2%
2016 Q194.9%90.0%
2016 Q294.7%90.3%
2016 Q396.2%90.2%
2016 Q497.9%89.7%
2017 Q195.9%89.9%
2017 Q296.9%90.5%
2017 Q395.5%90.0%
2017 Q495.9%90.1%
2018 Q198.8%90.5%
2018 Q295.9%91.0%
2018 Q395.3%91.2%
2018 Q494.9%90.5%
2019 Q194.0%90.3%
2019 Q296.4%91.0%
2019 Q397.6%90.6%
2019 Q494.3%89.8%
2020 Q196.2%89.9%
2020 Q298.7%90.2%
2020 Q396.7%90.6%
2020 Q496.4%90.3%
2021 Q195.3%90.9%
2021 Q297.8%91.2%
2021 Q396.2%91.0%
2021 Q495.6%90.1%
2022 Q194.6%90.0%
2022 Q295.9%90.4%
2022 Q397.2%89.8%
2022 Q492.8%89.4%
2023 Q189.9%89.3%
2023 Q295.1%89.2%
2023 Q392.8%88.6%
2023 Q495.4%88.2%
2024 Q196.2%88.2%
2024 Q295.9%89.1%
2024 Q395.0%89.4%
2024 Q492.1%88.6%
2025 Q195.7%89.3%
2025 Q293.1%90.4%
2025 Q390.5%90.1%
2025 Q491.4%90.1%
2026 Q195.0%90.6%
2026 Q293.4%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks64.8%
  • 8 to 13 weeks0.9%
  • 13 to 26 weeks0.1%
  • Over 26 weeks0.1%
  • Extension of time agreed34.0%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks440
8 to 13 weeks6
13 to 26 weeks1
Over 26 weeks1
Extension of time agreed231

Appeals

Decided
23
Allowed
30.4%
Median wait
12 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

8.2% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 19 appeals allowed against 232 refusals.

140th 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 18 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 16 needed no approval, 2 were approved and 0 were refused.

Fewer than 10 decided in the period.

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

4 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

35 conservation areas: Albourne, Ardingly, Balcombe, Birch Grove, Bolney, Clayton, Cuckfield, East Grinstead, Estcots and East Court, Fairfield, Franklands Village, Handcross and 23 more.

Mid Sussex 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

935 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 13.1 per 1,000 homes, about 0.7 householder decisions per firm a year.

63rd 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 Mid Sussex

How long does planning permission take in Mid Sussex?

Mid Sussex decided 64.8% 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 Mid Sussex?

35 conservation areas: Albourne, Ardingly, Balcombe, Birch Grove, Bolney, Clayton, Cuckfield, East Grinstead, Estcots and East Court, Fairfield, Franklands Village, Handcross and 23 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Mid Sussex?

935 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 13.1 per 1,000 homes, about 0.7 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 Mid Sussex?

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 Mid Sussex

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

Median price per m²

£4,818

6,981 sales

10% above South East

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

57.2%

Median energy score 70

4.6 points above South East

Value added by extending, per m²

£2,389

19.0% on the sale price

In line with South East

Energy upgrade, no extension

+6.3%

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

2.1 points above South East

The median home sold in Mid Sussex was £440,000 for 89 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 33% since 2015 (£3,635 to £4,848 per m², 2025). Across all 51,996 homes with a certificate, 56.1% are rated A to C on their latest one.

524 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 34 m². They sold for a median 19.0% more than similar unextended houses, £2,389 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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