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North Devon planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in North Devon?

North Devon decided 74.9% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

North Devon is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

74.9%

73rd of 297

12.2 points faster than England

Granted

97.8%

15th of 297

7.3 points higher than England

Extension of time

24.0%

91st of 297

8.3 points lower than England

Decisions (12 months)

271

North Devon decided 271 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 97.8%.

74.9% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (73rd of 297 for speed).

A further 24.0% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is up from 49.7% a year earlier.

How quickly decisions are made

North Devon 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 Q195.2%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q292.9%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q394.1%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q489.1%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q193.8%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q290.7%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q394.9%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q494.8%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q193.9%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q291.8%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q389.9%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q481.8%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q189.4%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q287.6%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q388.0%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q488.4%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q191.7%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q283.9%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q381.8%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q482.2%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q191.1%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q289.2%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q390.4%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q494.2%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q191.6%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q290.9%0.8%84.9%
2014 Q398.1%0.0%82.5%
2014 Q494.4%2.8%82.1%
2015 Q192.9%5.1%80.4%
2015 Q297.0%2.0%80.6%
2015 Q393.4%2.2%79.2%
2015 Q495.7%4.3%80.0%
2016 Q186.4%11.4%78.3%
2016 Q291.3%6.5%79.8%
2016 Q390.4%9.6%77.7%
2016 Q487.0%13.0%78.0%
2017 Q188.1%11.9%77.3%
2017 Q293.0%7.0%78.5%
2017 Q391.4%8.6%76.1%
2017 Q488.4%10.5%77.1%
2018 Q192.4%7.6%73.7%
2018 Q288.3%10.8%74.0%
2018 Q382.5%17.5%72.7%
2018 Q486.4%12.5%72.7%
2019 Q186.4%12.3%69.9%
2019 Q281.7%15.7%72.1%
2019 Q378.8%19.2%69.6%
2019 Q474.6%23.7%71.5%
2020 Q181.5%18.5%68.4%
2020 Q265.1%30.1%63.9%
2020 Q376.9%20.2%63.8%
2020 Q477.5%19.8%65.3%
2021 Q183.5%16.5%59.4%
2021 Q279.4%19.8%58.4%
2021 Q357.0%38.3%53.1%
2021 Q467.8%28.7%53.0%
2022 Q174.1%24.1%51.6%
2022 Q267.4%31.8%56.0%
2022 Q359.5%36.0%53.3%
2022 Q456.7%37.8%54.1%
2023 Q152.0%46.0%53.5%
2023 Q259.4%38.5%58.5%
2023 Q368.3%29.3%59.0%
2023 Q468.0%32.0%59.8%
2024 Q161.4%38.6%58.8%
2024 Q267.8%32.2%64.4%
2024 Q355.7%44.3%64.2%
2024 Q439.0%61.0%65.6%
2025 Q142.0%56.5%62.1%
2025 Q257.8%41.1%65.0%
2025 Q369.6%29.3%62.5%
2025 Q469.0%31.0%64.7%
2026 Q173.8%23.0%60.6%
2026 Q290.0%10.0%62.7%

Share of applications granted

North Devon against England

  • North Devon
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterNorth DevonEngland
2008 Q189.9%85.1%
2008 Q292.4%86.1%
2008 Q389.4%86.3%
2008 Q491.3%85.3%
2009 Q192.0%85.9%
2009 Q297.2%86.8%
2009 Q394.9%87.4%
2009 Q492.2%86.9%
2010 Q190.9%87.0%
2010 Q295.2%88.0%
2010 Q396.2%87.7%
2010 Q491.6%87.5%
2011 Q190.4%87.9%
2011 Q297.2%88.5%
2011 Q393.6%88.3%
2011 Q494.6%88.3%
2012 Q197.6%88.2%
2012 Q295.8%89.2%
2012 Q395.0%89.0%
2012 Q498.1%88.9%
2013 Q194.4%89.8%
2013 Q295.8%90.6%
2013 Q397.4%90.3%
2013 Q497.1%89.6%
2014 Q195.2%89.8%
2014 Q297.5%90.5%
2014 Q397.2%90.0%
2014 Q494.4%89.2%
2015 Q1100.0%89.3%
2015 Q296.0%90.2%
2015 Q396.7%90.0%
2015 Q498.9%89.2%
2016 Q198.9%90.0%
2016 Q297.8%90.3%
2016 Q395.6%90.2%
2016 Q498.0%89.7%
2017 Q195.2%89.9%
2017 Q293.9%90.5%
2017 Q396.4%90.0%
2017 Q494.7%90.1%
2018 Q196.2%90.5%
2018 Q295.5%91.0%
2018 Q3100.0%91.2%
2018 Q495.5%90.5%
2019 Q196.3%90.3%
2019 Q299.1%91.0%
2019 Q397.1%90.6%
2019 Q497.4%89.8%
2020 Q198.5%89.9%
2020 Q298.8%90.2%
2020 Q397.1%90.6%
2020 Q499.1%90.3%
2021 Q1100.0%90.9%
2021 Q296.2%91.2%
2021 Q398.1%91.0%
2021 Q499.1%90.1%
2022 Q197.3%90.0%
2022 Q298.4%90.4%
2022 Q398.2%89.8%
2022 Q495.6%89.4%
2023 Q197.0%89.3%
2023 Q299.0%89.2%
2023 Q397.6%88.6%
2023 Q498.7%88.2%
2024 Q195.7%88.2%
2024 Q2100.0%89.1%
2024 Q398.6%89.4%
2024 Q494.9%88.6%
2025 Q1100.0%89.3%
2025 Q297.8%90.4%
2025 Q3100.0%90.1%
2025 Q493.1%90.1%
2026 Q198.4%90.6%
2026 Q298.3%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks74.9%
  • 8 to 13 weeks0.7%
  • 13 to 26 weeks0.4%
  • Over 26 weeks0.0%
  • Extension of time agreed24.0%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks203
8 to 13 weeks2
13 to 26 weeks1
Over 26 weeks0
Extension of time agreed65

Appeals

Decided
3
Allowed
33.3%
Median wait
9 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

8.3% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 3 appeals allowed against 36 refusals.

145th 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 3 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 2 needed no approval, 1 was approved and 0 were refused.

Fewer than 10 decided in the period.

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.42 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 18th 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

41 conservation areas: Ashford, Barnstaple - Ebberly Lawn, Barnstaple - Newport, Barnstaple - Pilton, Barnstaple - Rumsam, Barnstaple - Town Centre, Berrynarbor, Bickington, Bishop's Nympton, Bishop's Tawton, Braunton, Burrington and 29 more.

North Devon 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

515 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 10.4 per 1,000 homes, about 0.5 householder decisions per firm a year.

136th 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 North Devon

How long does planning permission take in North Devon?

North Devon decided 74.9% 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 North Devon?

41 conservation areas: Ashford, Barnstaple - Ebberly Lawn, Barnstaple - Newport, Barnstaple - Pilton, Barnstaple - Rumsam, Barnstaple - Town Centre, Berrynarbor, Bickington, Bishop's Nympton, Bishop's Tawton, Braunton, Burrington and 29 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in North Devon?

515 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 10.4 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 North Devon?

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 North Devon

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

Median price per m²

£3,275

3,985 sales

9% below South West

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

47.8%

Median energy score 68

2.7 points below South West

Value added by extending, per m²

£1,514

16.9% on the sale price

25% below South West

Energy upgrade, no extension

+7.3%

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

1.5 points above South West

The median home sold in North Devon was £294,000 for 89 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 32% since 2015 (£2,445 to £3,234 per m², 2025). Across all 37,360 homes with a certificate, 45.1% are rated A to C on their latest one.

207 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 29 m². They sold for a median 16.9% more than similar unextended houses, £1,514 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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