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South Norfolk planning statistics

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

Search planning applications on the South Norfolk website (opens in a new tab)South Norfolk council website (opens in a new tab)

How long does planning permission take in South Norfolk?

South Norfolk decided 64.4% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

South Norfolk is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

64.4%

149th of 297

1.7 points faster than England

Granted

95.5%

73rd of 297

5.0 points higher than England

Extension of time

30.3%

145th of 297

2.0 points lower than England

Decisions (12 months)

469

South Norfolk decided 469 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 95.5%.

64.4% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (149th of 297 for speed).

A further 30.3% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 66.5% a year earlier.

Of 7 householder appeals decided in the same period, 85.7% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

South Norfolk 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 Q194.2%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q295.0%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q395.8%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q492.1%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q192.8%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q295.2%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q395.0%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q495.3%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q196.8%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q297.3%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q393.7%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q493.3%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q186.0%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q274.7%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q382.7%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q493.7%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q194.8%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q284.8%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q368.4%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q450.5%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q174.5%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q280.7%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q373.5%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q473.5%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q172.4%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q282.6%4.8%84.9%
2014 Q380.4%10.6%82.5%
2014 Q487.1%8.6%82.1%
2015 Q178.5%11.1%80.4%
2015 Q273.7%11.3%80.6%
2015 Q373.2%13.4%79.2%
2015 Q473.9%13.1%80.0%
2016 Q181.3%13.8%78.3%
2016 Q291.8%6.3%79.8%
2016 Q389.6%8.1%77.7%
2016 Q494.4%5.1%78.0%
2017 Q191.5%7.5%77.3%
2017 Q294.3%4.0%78.5%
2017 Q389.1%10.0%76.1%
2017 Q487.0%11.9%77.1%
2018 Q191.0%7.2%73.7%
2018 Q290.3%7.3%74.0%
2018 Q390.2%9.2%72.7%
2018 Q488.7%8.5%72.7%
2019 Q187.2%9.8%69.9%
2019 Q291.3%6.4%72.1%
2019 Q386.5%11.0%69.6%
2019 Q488.1%11.3%71.5%
2020 Q191.3%8.7%68.4%
2020 Q283.0%15.0%63.9%
2020 Q387.9%10.7%63.8%
2020 Q484.4%9.9%65.3%
2021 Q178.2%13.4%59.4%
2021 Q284.7%8.9%58.4%
2021 Q372.8%10.2%53.1%
2021 Q479.8%11.8%53.0%
2022 Q175.6%18.8%51.6%
2022 Q280.1%15.1%56.0%
2022 Q366.3%23.8%53.3%
2022 Q467.2%28.0%54.1%
2023 Q158.9%36.3%53.5%
2023 Q254.1%39.5%58.5%
2023 Q353.7%39.8%59.0%
2023 Q458.9%38.0%59.8%
2024 Q158.8%36.1%58.8%
2024 Q277.1%21.4%64.4%
2024 Q357.6%36.8%64.2%
2024 Q462.2%33.3%65.6%
2025 Q174.8%23.5%62.1%
2025 Q272.1%24.8%65.0%
2025 Q366.3%28.8%62.5%
2025 Q465.7%24.8%64.7%
2026 Q160.4%35.4%60.6%
2026 Q263.9%33.3%62.7%

Share of applications granted

South Norfolk against England

  • South Norfolk
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterSouth NorfolkEngland
2008 Q188.1%85.1%
2008 Q286.9%86.1%
2008 Q389.7%86.3%
2008 Q485.5%85.3%
2009 Q184.4%85.9%
2009 Q292.8%86.8%
2009 Q394.4%87.4%
2009 Q492.6%86.9%
2010 Q191.0%87.0%
2010 Q294.1%88.0%
2010 Q392.2%87.7%
2010 Q490.5%87.5%
2011 Q192.4%87.9%
2011 Q293.4%88.5%
2011 Q394.2%88.3%
2011 Q494.3%88.3%
2012 Q194.8%88.2%
2012 Q292.6%89.2%
2012 Q393.4%89.0%
2012 Q495.1%88.9%
2013 Q197.5%89.8%
2013 Q296.5%90.6%
2013 Q397.6%90.3%
2013 Q498.2%89.6%
2014 Q198.7%89.8%
2014 Q299.0%90.5%
2014 Q399.5%90.0%
2014 Q497.8%89.2%
2015 Q197.0%89.3%
2015 Q297.3%90.2%
2015 Q394.8%90.0%
2015 Q497.7%89.2%
2016 Q197.8%90.0%
2016 Q298.1%90.3%
2016 Q398.1%90.2%
2016 Q494.9%89.7%
2017 Q197.5%89.9%
2017 Q298.3%90.5%
2017 Q396.9%90.0%
2017 Q497.7%90.1%
2018 Q197.0%90.5%
2018 Q297.6%91.0%
2018 Q394.2%91.2%
2018 Q495.7%90.5%
2019 Q195.7%90.3%
2019 Q296.5%91.0%
2019 Q396.8%90.6%
2019 Q497.6%89.8%
2020 Q196.7%89.9%
2020 Q295.9%90.2%
2020 Q397.9%90.6%
2020 Q498.4%90.3%
2021 Q195.5%90.9%
2021 Q298.4%91.2%
2021 Q399.2%91.0%
2021 Q497.8%90.1%
2022 Q198.8%90.0%
2022 Q298.4%90.4%
2022 Q398.4%89.8%
2022 Q497.6%89.4%
2023 Q199.2%89.3%
2023 Q298.3%89.2%
2023 Q397.6%88.6%
2023 Q492.2%88.2%
2024 Q197.5%88.2%
2024 Q298.6%89.1%
2024 Q395.2%89.4%
2024 Q495.6%88.6%
2025 Q197.4%89.3%
2025 Q294.6%90.4%
2025 Q395.6%90.1%
2025 Q496.2%90.1%
2026 Q194.8%90.6%
2026 Q295.4%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks64.4%
  • 8 to 13 weeks3.4%
  • 13 to 26 weeks1.3%
  • Over 26 weeks0.6%
  • Extension of time agreed30.3%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks302
8 to 13 weeks16
13 to 26 weeks6
Over 26 weeks3
Extension of time agreed142

Appeals

Decided
7
Allowed
85.7%
Median wait
10 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

17.1% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 14 appeals allowed against 82 refusals.

12th 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 13 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 13 needed no approval, 0 were approved and 0 were refused.

Fewer than 10 decided in the period.

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.07 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 94th 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

50 conservation areas: Bawburgh Conservation Area, Bergh Apton Conservation Area, Bramerton Conservation Area, Brockdish Conservation Area, Brooke Conservation Area, Burston Conservation Area, Chedgrave Conservation Area, Cringleford Conservation Area, Dickleburgh Conservation Area, Diss Conservation Area, Ditchingham Conservation Area, Ditchingham Dam BA Conservation Area and 38 more.

53 Article 4 areas: 1-12 St Ethelberts Close, 1-12 Woodyard Square, 1-13 Smiths Knoll, 1-13 Whiteways, 1-15 Forge Grove, 1-15 St Mary's Row, 1-28 Scudamore Place, 1-30 Windmill Green, 1-31 Churchill Place, 1-6 Waveney Cottages, 1-6, 10-20 Davy Place, 1-9 Princess Anne Terrace and 41 more.

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

715 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 10.4 per 1,000 homes, about 0.7 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 South Norfolk

How long does planning permission take in South Norfolk?

South Norfolk decided 64.4% 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 Norfolk?

50 conservation areas: Bawburgh Conservation Area, Bergh Apton Conservation Area, Bramerton Conservation Area, Brockdish Conservation Area, Brooke Conservation Area, Burston Conservation Area, Chedgrave Conservation Area, Cringleford Conservation Area, Dickleburgh Conservation Area, Diss Conservation Area, Ditchingham Conservation Area, Ditchingham Dam BA Conservation Area and 38 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in South Norfolk?

715 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 10.4 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 South Norfolk?

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 Norfolk

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

Median price per m²

£3,333

6,325 sales

15% below East of England

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

56.7%

Median energy score 71

4.1 points above East of England

Value added by extending, per m²

£1,734

17.1% on the sale price

14% below East of England

Energy upgrade, no extension

+8.2%

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

4.0 points above East of England

The median home sold in South Norfolk was £300,000 for 91 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 44% since 2015 (£2,312 to £3,340 per m², 2025). Across all 50,208 homes with a certificate, 53.4% are rated A to C on their latest one.

397 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 36 m². They sold for a median 17.1% more than similar unextended houses, £1,734 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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