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New Forest planning statistics

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

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

How long does planning permission take in New Forest?

New Forest decided 76.7% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

New Forest is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

76.7%

59th of 297

14.0 points faster than England

Granted

96.0%

58th of 297

5.5 points higher than England

Extension of time

20.8%

65th of 297

11.5 points lower than England

Decisions (12 months)

528

New Forest decided 528 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 96.0%.

76.7% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (59th of 297 for speed).

A further 20.8% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 82.2% a year earlier.

Of 6 householder appeals decided in the same period, 16.7% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

New Forest 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 Q189.5%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q286.4%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q383.6%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q485.6%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q190.8%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q288.1%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q386.3%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q486.8%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q189.8%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q292.7%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q392.5%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q489.9%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q186.3%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q286.4%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q379.6%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q480.0%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q187.6%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q290.3%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q383.4%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q488.2%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q187.4%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q287.5%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q389.4%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q487.1%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q187.1%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q287.9%0.0%84.9%
2014 Q390.7%0.0%82.5%
2014 Q488.6%0.0%82.1%
2015 Q188.2%0.0%80.4%
2015 Q286.6%0.0%80.6%
2015 Q386.4%0.0%79.2%
2015 Q484.5%0.0%80.0%
2016 Q185.7%0.0%78.3%
2016 Q290.0%6.8%79.8%
2016 Q386.9%8.3%77.7%
2016 Q486.3%6.8%78.0%
2017 Q185.7%6.0%77.3%
2017 Q273.1%12.8%78.5%
2017 Q381.8%12.3%76.1%
2017 Q481.4%12.7%77.1%
2018 Q187.1%11.3%73.7%
2018 Q283.3%9.1%74.0%
2018 Q386.6%9.1%72.7%
2018 Q486.9%8.9%72.7%
2019 Q173.0%19.7%69.9%
2019 Q280.9%14.9%72.1%
2019 Q379.6%16.1%69.6%
2019 Q484.6%8.5%71.5%
2020 Q183.7%11.8%68.4%
2020 Q287.8%8.1%63.9%
2020 Q385.5%9.3%63.8%
2020 Q483.3%8.9%65.3%
2021 Q178.4%5.7%59.4%
2021 Q276.6%7.0%58.4%
2021 Q383.7%6.7%53.1%
2021 Q478.0%17.1%53.0%
2022 Q181.3%14.1%51.6%
2022 Q287.3%8.3%56.0%
2022 Q385.5%10.9%53.3%
2022 Q480.6%11.4%54.1%
2023 Q180.4%12.9%53.5%
2023 Q281.8%13.3%58.5%
2023 Q384.7%9.5%59.0%
2023 Q479.4%15.9%59.8%
2024 Q186.7%11.1%58.8%
2024 Q284.5%13.5%64.4%
2024 Q385.6%12.9%64.2%
2024 Q478.8%17.8%65.6%
2025 Q181.8%16.7%62.1%
2025 Q282.1%16.0%65.0%
2025 Q372.7%26.5%62.5%
2025 Q483.7%14.6%64.7%
2026 Q179.8%17.5%60.6%
2026 Q272.3%23.3%62.7%

Share of applications granted

New Forest against England

  • New Forest
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterNew ForestEngland
2008 Q184.0%85.1%
2008 Q286.0%86.1%
2008 Q385.2%86.3%
2008 Q475.6%85.3%
2009 Q188.5%85.9%
2009 Q280.4%86.8%
2009 Q385.8%87.4%
2009 Q484.2%86.9%
2010 Q183.7%87.0%
2010 Q285.9%88.0%
2010 Q383.4%87.7%
2010 Q482.5%87.5%
2011 Q178.4%87.9%
2011 Q274.3%88.5%
2011 Q383.6%88.3%
2011 Q482.9%88.3%
2012 Q183.5%88.2%
2012 Q283.7%89.2%
2012 Q386.0%89.0%
2012 Q478.7%88.9%
2013 Q187.4%89.8%
2013 Q288.6%90.6%
2013 Q388.9%90.3%
2013 Q487.7%89.6%
2014 Q185.9%89.8%
2014 Q287.0%90.5%
2014 Q386.6%90.0%
2014 Q485.2%89.2%
2015 Q184.5%89.3%
2015 Q284.7%90.2%
2015 Q387.4%90.0%
2015 Q485.9%89.2%
2016 Q182.6%90.0%
2016 Q284.0%90.3%
2016 Q385.0%90.2%
2016 Q487.0%89.7%
2017 Q182.7%89.9%
2017 Q283.3%90.5%
2017 Q382.8%90.0%
2017 Q483.3%90.1%
2018 Q185.1%90.5%
2018 Q282.3%91.0%
2018 Q390.4%91.2%
2018 Q488.7%90.5%
2019 Q190.1%90.3%
2019 Q290.7%91.0%
2019 Q391.9%90.6%
2019 Q492.0%89.8%
2020 Q192.2%89.9%
2020 Q293.0%90.2%
2020 Q396.5%90.6%
2020 Q491.7%90.3%
2021 Q195.5%90.9%
2021 Q296.7%91.2%
2021 Q396.8%91.0%
2021 Q496.6%90.1%
2022 Q197.9%90.0%
2022 Q296.9%90.4%
2022 Q394.3%89.8%
2022 Q494.3%89.4%
2023 Q197.5%89.3%
2023 Q293.9%89.2%
2023 Q395.3%88.6%
2023 Q499.2%88.2%
2024 Q198.5%88.2%
2024 Q295.9%89.1%
2024 Q397.0%89.4%
2024 Q494.9%88.6%
2025 Q195.5%89.3%
2025 Q295.7%90.4%
2025 Q396.2%90.1%
2025 Q496.7%90.1%
2026 Q194.7%90.6%
2026 Q296.2%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks76.7%
  • 8 to 13 weeks2.1%
  • 13 to 26 weeks0.4%
  • Over 26 weeks0.0%
  • Extension of time agreed20.8%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks405
8 to 13 weeks11
13 to 26 weeks2
Over 26 weeks0
Extension of time agreed110

Appeals

Decided
6
Allowed
16.7%
Median wait
12 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

8.5% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 11 appeals allowed against 123 refusals.

Split decisions count as half.

144th 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 15 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 6 needed no approval, 5 were approved and 4 were refused.

Fewer than 10 decided in the period.

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.10 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 145th 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

23 conservation areas: Ashlett Creek, Bickton, Breamore, Damerham, Eling, Fordingbridge, Hanger Farm, Harbridge, Hazel Farm, Hythe, Ibsley, Keyhaven and 11 more.

9 Article 4 areas: ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION 97/1, ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION 97/2, ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION 97/5, ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION 97/6, ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION MARL/PUDDLE, ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION NP 12/002, ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION NP 12/002#2, ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION NP NEW FOREST CAMPSITE and ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION NP NEW FOREST RECREATIONAL CAMPSITE.

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

975 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 11.7 per 1,000 homes, about 0.5 householder decisions per firm a year.

90th 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 New Forest

How long does planning permission take in New Forest?

New Forest decided 76.7% 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 New Forest?

23 conservation areas: Ashlett Creek, Bickton, Breamore, Damerham, Eling, Fordingbridge, Hanger Farm, Harbridge, Hazel Farm, Hythe, Ibsley, Keyhaven and 11 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in New Forest?

975 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 11.7 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 New Forest?

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 New Forest

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

Median price per m²

£4,369

6,947 sales

In line with South East

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

45.6%

Median energy score 68

7.0 points below South East

Value added by extending, per m²

£2,654

25.1% on the sale price

10% above South East

Energy upgrade, no extension

+4.2%

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

In line with South East

The median home sold in New Forest was £382,500 for 89 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 35% since 2015 (£3,220 to £4,363 per m², 2025). Across all 56,913 homes with a certificate, 45.5% are rated A to C on their latest one.

716 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 35 m². They sold for a median 25.1% more than similar unextended houses, £2,654 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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