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East of England

Rochford planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in Rochford?

Rochford decided 56.2% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Rochford is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

56.2%

199th of 297

6.5 points slower than England

Granted

83.9%

260th of 297

6.6 points lower than England

Extension of time

33.6%

171st of 297

1.3 points higher than England

Decisions (12 months)

292

Rochford decided 292 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 83.9%.

56.2% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (199th of 297 for speed).

A further 33.6% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is up from 49.2% a year earlier.

Of 15 householder appeals decided in the same period, 53.3% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Rochford 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 Q1100.0%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q2100.0%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q3100.0%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q498.4%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q198.5%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q2100.0%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q398.0%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q498.7%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q196.4%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q294.1%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q398.3%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q496.7%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q197.9%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q299.1%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q394.0%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q496.8%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q189.0%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q289.4%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q393.3%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q494.8%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q198.7%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q299.0%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q391.8%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q493.3%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q189.9%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q286.1%0.9%84.9%
2014 Q389.8%5.9%82.5%
2014 Q480.8%8.1%82.1%
2015 Q169.9%9.6%80.4%
2015 Q270.1%7.8%80.6%
2015 Q368.3%6.7%79.2%
2015 Q475.5%4.3%80.0%
2016 Q185.4%3.9%78.3%
2016 Q290.6%1.4%79.8%
2016 Q386.2%0.0%77.7%
2016 Q478.2%0.0%78.0%
2017 Q180.0%10.0%77.3%
2017 Q268.4%19.5%78.5%
2017 Q378.2%14.8%76.1%
2017 Q477.1%13.8%77.1%
2018 Q170.4%15.3%73.7%
2018 Q258.8%17.6%74.0%
2018 Q355.0%19.2%72.7%
2018 Q462.4%24.8%72.7%
2019 Q146.3%34.3%69.9%
2019 Q245.7%33.1%72.1%
2019 Q363.0%27.5%69.6%
2019 Q479.1%17.3%71.5%
2020 Q176.7%19.4%68.4%
2020 Q268.0%23.4%63.9%
2020 Q357.0%36.4%63.8%
2020 Q455.8%35.8%65.3%
2021 Q154.1%33.8%59.4%
2021 Q266.5%15.6%58.4%
2021 Q360.3%23.8%53.1%
2021 Q456.2%30.9%53.0%
2022 Q157.1%26.3%51.6%
2022 Q281.4%14.4%56.0%
2022 Q382.8%11.8%53.3%
2022 Q477.2%16.9%54.1%
2023 Q173.9%22.8%53.5%
2023 Q267.0%24.8%58.5%
2023 Q368.5%26.1%59.0%
2023 Q471.6%9.5%59.8%
2024 Q153.5%32.6%58.8%
2024 Q272.4%25.3%64.4%
2024 Q362.5%20.0%64.2%
2024 Q461.0%24.4%65.6%
2025 Q136.5%46.0%62.1%
2025 Q235.2%30.7%65.0%
2025 Q358.5%30.5%62.5%
2025 Q459.0%32.8%64.7%
2026 Q162.7%29.9%60.6%
2026 Q246.3%40.2%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Rochford against England

  • Rochford
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterRochfordEngland
2008 Q188.1%85.1%
2008 Q282.5%86.1%
2008 Q385.3%86.3%
2008 Q482.3%85.3%
2009 Q182.4%85.9%
2009 Q282.2%86.8%
2009 Q387.8%87.4%
2009 Q481.6%86.9%
2010 Q185.7%87.0%
2010 Q283.3%88.0%
2010 Q386.2%87.7%
2010 Q482.4%87.5%
2011 Q182.1%87.9%
2011 Q289.6%88.5%
2011 Q387.1%88.3%
2011 Q481.0%88.3%
2012 Q181.3%88.2%
2012 Q286.5%89.2%
2012 Q381.5%89.0%
2012 Q484.5%88.9%
2013 Q177.2%89.8%
2013 Q289.6%90.6%
2013 Q379.6%90.3%
2013 Q486.7%89.6%
2014 Q188.6%89.8%
2014 Q287.0%90.5%
2014 Q383.9%90.0%
2014 Q487.9%89.2%
2015 Q183.1%89.3%
2015 Q281.8%90.2%
2015 Q392.3%90.0%
2015 Q487.2%89.2%
2016 Q190.3%90.0%
2016 Q285.5%90.3%
2016 Q381.9%90.2%
2016 Q487.3%89.7%
2017 Q182.5%89.9%
2017 Q285.7%90.5%
2017 Q383.8%90.0%
2017 Q487.2%90.1%
2018 Q180.6%90.5%
2018 Q287.3%91.0%
2018 Q388.3%91.2%
2018 Q478.6%90.5%
2019 Q181.5%90.3%
2019 Q285.8%91.0%
2019 Q384.1%90.6%
2019 Q476.4%89.8%
2020 Q179.6%89.9%
2020 Q284.4%90.2%
2020 Q381.3%90.6%
2020 Q484.2%90.3%
2021 Q187.2%90.9%
2021 Q289.0%91.2%
2021 Q380.1%91.0%
2021 Q482.1%90.1%
2022 Q184.2%90.0%
2022 Q286.8%90.4%
2022 Q378.5%89.8%
2022 Q483.1%89.4%
2023 Q181.5%89.3%
2023 Q281.7%89.2%
2023 Q390.2%88.6%
2023 Q483.8%88.2%
2024 Q177.9%88.2%
2024 Q287.4%89.1%
2024 Q377.5%89.4%
2024 Q485.4%88.6%
2025 Q185.7%89.3%
2025 Q279.5%90.4%
2025 Q378.0%90.1%
2025 Q482.0%90.1%
2026 Q186.6%90.6%
2026 Q289.0%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks56.2%
  • 8 to 13 weeks7.2%
  • 13 to 26 weeks2.4%
  • Over 26 weeks0.7%
  • Extension of time agreed33.6%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks164
8 to 13 weeks21
13 to 26 weeks7
Over 26 weeks2
Extension of time agreed98

Appeals

Decided
15
Allowed
53.3%
Median wait
12 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

7.7% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 26 appeals allowed against 337 refusals.

115th 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 48 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 27 needed no approval, 5 were approved and 16 were refused.

Where Rochford had to decide, it refused 16 of 21 (76.2%), against 56.1% across England (2,210 of 3,939 decided).

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.28 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 37th 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

10 conservation areas: Battlesbridge CA, Canewdon CA, Canewdon Church CA, Foulness Church End CA, Great Wakering CA, Paglesham Church End CA, Paglesham East End CA, Rayleigh CA, Rochford CA and Shopland Church Yard CA.

Rochford 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

765 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 19.8 per 1,000 homes, about 0.4 householder decisions per firm a year.

7th 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 Rochford

How long does planning permission take in Rochford?

Rochford decided 56.2% 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 Rochford?

10 conservation areas: Battlesbridge CA, Canewdon CA, Canewdon Church CA, Foulness Church End CA, Great Wakering CA, Paglesham Church End CA, Paglesham East End CA, Rayleigh CA, Rochford CA and Shopland Church Yard CA. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Rochford?

765 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 19.8 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 Rochford?

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 Rochford

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

Median price per m²

£4,317

3,920 sales

11% above East of England

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

47.6%

Median energy score 68

5.0 points below East of England

Value added by extending, per m²

£2,046

18.5% on the sale price

In line with East of England

Energy upgrade, no extension

+3.8%

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

In line with East of England

The median home sold in Rochford was £400,000 for 91 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 43% since 2015 (£3,028 to £4,340 per m², 2025). Across all 25,408 homes with a certificate, 45.7% are rated A to C on their latest one.

168 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 34 m². They sold for a median 18.5% more than similar unextended houses, £2,046 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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