South Downs National Park planning statistics
Householder applications decided in the year to June 2026, compared with the rest of England.
How long does planning permission take in South Downs National Park?
South Downs National Park decided 39.4% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.
South Downs National Park is highlighted on the map. See on the map
Within 8 weeks, no extension
39.4%
268th of 297
23.3 points slower than England
Granted
92.1%
146th of 297
1.6 points higher than England
Extension of time
52.9%
266th of 297
20.6 points higher than England
Decisions (12 months)
813
South Downs National Park decided 813 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 92.1%.
39.4% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (268th of 297 for speed).
A further 52.9% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.
That is down from 46.6% a year earlier.
Of 21 householder appeals decided in the same period, 42.9% were allowed.
How quickly decisions are made
South Downs National Park against England, share of householder decisions each quarter
- Within 8 weeks, no extension
- Extension of time
- England, within 8 weeks
Show data
| Quarter | Within 8 weeks, no extension | Extension of time | England, within 8 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Q2 | 84.6% | 0.0% | 86.3% |
| 2013 Q3 | 89.1% | 0.0% | 85.3% |
| 2013 Q4 | 79.6% | 0.0% | 86.3% |
| 2014 Q1 | 76.8% | 0.0% | 85.4% |
| 2014 Q2 | 80.2% | 0.3% | 84.9% |
| 2014 Q3 | 71.1% | 3.0% | 82.5% |
| 2014 Q4 | 74.7% | 6.0% | 82.1% |
| 2015 Q1 | 71.0% | 10.2% | 80.4% |
| 2015 Q2 | 67.8% | 10.1% | 80.6% |
| 2015 Q3 | 74.9% | 9.1% | 79.2% |
| 2015 Q4 | 78.4% | 14.4% | 80.0% |
| 2016 Q1 | 68.0% | 23.8% | 78.3% |
| 2016 Q2 | 73.8% | 20.8% | 79.8% |
| 2016 Q3 | 66.3% | 29.9% | 77.7% |
| 2016 Q4 | 63.1% | 27.7% | 78.0% |
| 2017 Q1 | 67.6% | 28.2% | 77.3% |
| 2017 Q2 | 72.8% | 23.5% | 78.5% |
| 2017 Q3 | 71.6% | 24.3% | 76.1% |
| 2017 Q4 | 71.9% | 21.0% | 77.1% |
| 2018 Q1 | 69.1% | 26.7% | 73.7% |
| 2018 Q2 | 66.4% | 26.6% | 74.0% |
| 2018 Q3 | 57.3% | 35.6% | 72.7% |
| 2018 Q4 | 55.6% | 37.0% | 72.7% |
| 2019 Q1 | 55.7% | 37.5% | 69.9% |
| 2019 Q2 | 56.8% | 33.2% | 72.1% |
| 2019 Q3 | 57.2% | 35.5% | 69.6% |
| 2019 Q4 | 56.6% | 38.3% | 71.5% |
| 2020 Q1 | 48.4% | 44.7% | 68.4% |
| 2020 Q2 | 46.6% | 49.4% | 63.9% |
| 2020 Q3 | 44.9% | 51.3% | 63.8% |
| 2020 Q4 | 40.7% | 46.7% | 65.3% |
| 2021 Q1 | 33.1% | 54.9% | 59.4% |
| 2021 Q2 | 33.8% | 57.2% | 58.4% |
| 2021 Q3 | 33.7% | 57.2% | 53.1% |
| 2021 Q4 | 33.4% | 50.0% | 53.0% |
| 2022 Q1 | 30.4% | 58.5% | 51.6% |
| 2022 Q2 | 33.4% | 55.1% | 56.0% |
| 2022 Q3 | 30.4% | 61.1% | 53.3% |
| 2022 Q4 | 38.4% | 56.2% | 54.1% |
| 2023 Q1 | 33.1% | 61.2% | 53.5% |
| 2023 Q2 | 43.2% | 48.5% | 58.5% |
| 2023 Q3 | 39.6% | 55.7% | 59.0% |
| 2023 Q4 | 41.9% | 53.8% | 59.8% |
| 2024 Q1 | 42.7% | 53.6% | 58.8% |
| 2024 Q2 | 45.4% | 49.2% | 64.4% |
| 2024 Q3 | 43.2% | 46.2% | 64.2% |
| 2024 Q4 | 56.1% | 40.4% | 65.6% |
| 2025 Q1 | 46.5% | 52.4% | 62.1% |
| 2025 Q2 | 40.2% | 57.9% | 65.0% |
| 2025 Q3 | 34.6% | 56.5% | 62.5% |
| 2025 Q4 | 42.6% | 48.5% | 64.7% |
| 2026 Q1 | 36.8% | 57.0% | 60.6% |
| 2026 Q2 | 43.6% | 49.5% | 62.7% |
Share of applications granted
South Downs National Park against England
- South Downs National Park
- England
Show data
| Quarter | South Downs National Park | England |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Q2 | 91.5% | 90.6% |
| 2013 Q3 | 93.4% | 90.3% |
| 2013 Q4 | 92.6% | 89.6% |
| 2014 Q1 | 90.6% | 89.8% |
| 2014 Q2 | 91.7% | 90.5% |
| 2014 Q3 | 94.9% | 90.0% |
| 2014 Q4 | 91.7% | 89.2% |
| 2015 Q1 | 93.6% | 89.3% |
| 2015 Q2 | 92.2% | 90.2% |
| 2015 Q3 | 92.2% | 90.0% |
| 2015 Q4 | 88.3% | 89.2% |
| 2016 Q1 | 92.9% | 90.0% |
| 2016 Q2 | 93.5% | 90.3% |
| 2016 Q3 | 92.6% | 90.2% |
| 2016 Q4 | 92.0% | 89.7% |
| 2017 Q1 | 93.9% | 89.9% |
| 2017 Q2 | 92.1% | 90.5% |
| 2017 Q3 | 94.9% | 90.0% |
| 2017 Q4 | 89.7% | 90.1% |
| 2018 Q1 | 89.1% | 90.5% |
| 2018 Q2 | 90.4% | 91.0% |
| 2018 Q3 | 92.9% | 91.2% |
| 2018 Q4 | 91.9% | 90.5% |
| 2019 Q1 | 94.5% | 90.3% |
| 2019 Q2 | 92.5% | 91.0% |
| 2019 Q3 | 94.7% | 90.6% |
| 2019 Q4 | 94.5% | 89.8% |
| 2020 Q1 | 94.7% | 89.9% |
| 2020 Q2 | 97.6% | 90.2% |
| 2020 Q3 | 94.3% | 90.6% |
| 2020 Q4 | 94.7% | 90.3% |
| 2021 Q1 | 95.9% | 90.9% |
| 2021 Q2 | 95.5% | 91.2% |
| 2021 Q3 | 95.0% | 91.0% |
| 2021 Q4 | 92.6% | 90.1% |
| 2022 Q1 | 94.0% | 90.0% |
| 2022 Q2 | 93.0% | 90.4% |
| 2022 Q3 | 92.6% | 89.8% |
| 2022 Q4 | 93.6% | 89.4% |
| 2023 Q1 | 93.5% | 89.3% |
| 2023 Q2 | 92.0% | 89.2% |
| 2023 Q3 | 95.0% | 88.6% |
| 2023 Q4 | 94.9% | 88.2% |
| 2024 Q1 | 92.1% | 88.2% |
| 2024 Q2 | 90.0% | 89.1% |
| 2024 Q3 | 89.3% | 89.4% |
| 2024 Q4 | 92.5% | 88.6% |
| 2025 Q1 | 93.0% | 89.3% |
| 2025 Q2 | 96.7% | 90.4% |
| 2025 Q3 | 93.5% | 90.1% |
| 2025 Q4 | 91.6% | 90.1% |
| 2026 Q1 | 92.2% | 90.6% |
| 2026 Q2 | 91.2% | 91.0% |
How long decisions took
Householder decisions over the last 12 months
- Within 8 weeks39.4%
- 8 to 13 weeks2.0%
- 13 to 26 weeks3.9%
- Over 26 weeks1.8%
- Extension of time agreed52.9%
Show data
| Time taken | Decisions |
|---|---|
| Within 8 weeks | 320 |
| 8 to 13 weeks | 16 |
| 13 to 26 weeks | 32 |
| Over 26 weeks | 15 |
| Extension of time agreed | 430 |
Appeals
- Decided
- 21
- Allowed
- 42.9%
- Median wait
- 22 weeks
Householder appeals to the Planning Inspectorate decided in the same 12 months. England: 34.4% allowed.
Refusals overturned at appeal
8.6% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 31 appeals allowed against 356 refusals.
Split decisions count as half.
138th 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)
The larger home extension scheme doesn't apply in national parks, so extensions beyond the normal limits need a planning application.
MHCLG live table PDR 1.
Enforcement
16 planning enforcement notices issued in the year to June 2026.
Per-home figures are not available for national park authorities.
Covers all types of development, not only extensions.
MHCLG table P130; homes from the VOA Council Tax stock of properties.
Protected areas
124 conservation areas: Abbots Worthy, Alciston, Alfriston, Arundel, Avington, Bepton, Berwick Village, Bignor, Burpham and Wepham, Bury, Byworth, Castle Goring and 112 more.
South Downs National Park 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
Builder counts are not available for national park authorities.
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
- South Downs National Park39.4%
- Brighton and Hove48.4%
- Eastbourne64.3%
- Lewes74.4%
- Wealden69.9%
- East Hampshire26.3%
- Eastleigh77.4%
- Winchester52.8%
- Waverley64.9%
- Adur62.5%
- Arun98.8%
- Chichester92.1%
- Horsham72.1%
- Mid Sussex64.8%
- Worthing54.8%
- England62.7%
Granted
- South Downs National Park92.1%
- Brighton and Hove94.9%
- Eastbourne92.9%
- Lewes94.7%
- Wealden89.7%
- East Hampshire91.6%
- Eastleigh90.9%
- Winchester97.0%
- Waverley92.1%
- Adur95.8%
- Arun96.5%
- Chichester94.9%
- Horsham97.9%
- Mid Sussex92.6%
- Worthing93.5%
- England90.5%
Refusals overturned at appeal
- South Downs National Park8.6%
- Brighton and Hove11.6%
- Eastbourne15.4%
- Lewes10.7%
- Wealden7.9%
- East Hampshire9.4%
- Eastleigh7.2%
- Winchester9.9%
- Waverley7.8%
- Adur5.3%
- Arun7.9%
- Chichester18.4%
- Horsham7.9%
- Mid Sussex8.2%
- Worthing7.7%
- England8.9%
Registered building firms per 1,000 homes
- South Downs National ParkNo data
- Brighton and Hove8.8
- Eastbourne7.9
- Lewes12.2
- Wealden16.5
- East Hampshire13.2
- Eastleigh14.4
- Winchester10.6
- Waverley11.6
- Adur14.7
- Arun10.6
- Chichester10.6
- Horsham12.6
- Mid Sussex13.1
- Worthing10.0
- England median10.1
Questions about planning in South Downs National Park
How long does planning permission take in South Downs National Park?
South Downs National Park decided 39.4% 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 South Downs National Park?
124 conservation areas: Abbots Worthy, Alciston, Alfriston, Arundel, Avington, Bepton, Berwick Village, Bignor, Burpham and Wepham, Bury, Byworth, Castle Goring and 112 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.
How many builders are there in South Downs National Park?
Builder counts are not available for national park authorities.
Do I need planning permission for an extension in South Downs National Park?
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 South Downs National Park
Homes sold July 2023 to June 2026, matched to the floor area and energy rating on their Energy Performance Certificate.
Median price per m²
£5,087
3,717 sales
53% above England and Wales
Homes sold rated EPC A to C
37.8%
Median energy score 65
11.8 points below England and Wales
Value added by extending, per m²
£2,874
22.1% on the sale price
51% above England and Wales
Energy upgrade, no extension
+5.4%
Sale-price uplift when the energy score rose 5+ points
In line with England and Wales
The median home sold in South Downs National Park was £531,500 for 103 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 31% since 2015 (£3,912 to £5,117 per m², 2025). Across all 36,520 homes with a certificate, 35.8% are rated A to C on their latest one.
410 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 38 m². They sold for a median 22.1% more than similar unextended houses, £2,874 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
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