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Surrey Heath planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in Surrey Heath?

Surrey Heath decided 67.8% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Surrey Heath is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

67.8%

126th of 297

5.1 points faster than England

Granted

87.0%

237th of 297

3.5 points lower than England

Extension of time

23.7%

87th of 297

8.6 points lower than England

Decisions (12 months)

422

Surrey Heath decided 422 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 87.0%.

67.8% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (126th of 297 for speed).

A further 23.7% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 71.7% a year earlier.

Of 20 householder appeals decided in the same period, 40.0% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Surrey Heath 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 Q178.1%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q281.2%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q387.6%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q482.6%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q194.6%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q292.9%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q396.6%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q495.1%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q196.0%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q296.2%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q397.4%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q495.1%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q197.3%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q292.1%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q389.2%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q488.9%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q188.6%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q281.8%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q380.0%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q488.8%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q182.2%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q285.3%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q377.6%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q469.2%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q182.9%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q289.2%0.0%84.9%
2014 Q391.0%0.0%82.5%
2014 Q480.3%0.0%82.1%
2015 Q176.2%2.4%80.4%
2015 Q274.2%4.4%80.6%
2015 Q387.2%5.4%79.2%
2015 Q482.5%4.5%80.0%
2016 Q172.6%8.9%78.3%
2016 Q271.0%6.5%79.8%
2016 Q360.7%12.1%77.7%
2016 Q457.6%10.8%78.0%
2017 Q166.4%8.2%77.3%
2017 Q277.6%10.3%78.5%
2017 Q374.4%15.6%76.1%
2017 Q479.4%18.3%77.1%
2018 Q174.3%18.6%73.7%
2018 Q280.6%14.5%74.0%
2018 Q375.5%18.4%72.7%
2018 Q461.0%28.4%72.7%
2019 Q157.4%36.6%69.9%
2019 Q264.8%27.6%72.1%
2019 Q365.1%20.9%69.6%
2019 Q459.4%27.4%71.5%
2020 Q159.3%29.6%68.4%
2020 Q259.5%27.6%63.9%
2020 Q354.9%20.3%63.8%
2020 Q469.2%20.7%65.3%
2021 Q144.5%44.5%59.4%
2021 Q266.3%25.6%58.4%
2021 Q351.2%34.3%53.1%
2021 Q436.5%53.4%53.0%
2022 Q145.7%38.6%51.6%
2022 Q246.6%39.2%56.0%
2022 Q351.7%38.9%53.3%
2022 Q457.5%38.1%54.1%
2023 Q164.6%26.9%53.5%
2023 Q257.4%39.7%58.5%
2023 Q373.0%21.9%59.0%
2023 Q477.2%18.4%59.8%
2024 Q190.0%4.4%58.8%
2024 Q279.0%12.6%64.4%
2024 Q376.6%15.9%64.2%
2024 Q476.9%18.5%65.6%
2025 Q164.9%24.7%62.1%
2025 Q268.3%23.0%65.0%
2025 Q367.3%18.2%62.5%
2025 Q465.1%25.7%64.7%
2026 Q172.2%21.1%60.6%
2026 Q267.3%29.2%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Surrey Heath against England

  • Surrey Heath
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterSurrey HeathEngland
2008 Q180.4%85.1%
2008 Q285.0%86.1%
2008 Q384.6%86.3%
2008 Q482.6%85.3%
2009 Q180.2%85.9%
2009 Q280.1%86.8%
2009 Q389.2%87.4%
2009 Q485.9%86.9%
2010 Q185.6%87.0%
2010 Q286.2%88.0%
2010 Q391.7%87.7%
2010 Q492.7%87.5%
2011 Q194.6%87.9%
2011 Q289.0%88.5%
2011 Q394.3%88.3%
2011 Q494.0%88.3%
2012 Q186.2%88.2%
2012 Q292.3%89.2%
2012 Q390.0%89.0%
2012 Q489.7%88.9%
2013 Q190.7%89.8%
2013 Q289.7%90.6%
2013 Q389.8%90.3%
2013 Q485.0%89.6%
2014 Q187.0%89.8%
2014 Q287.9%90.5%
2014 Q386.8%90.0%
2014 Q491.3%89.2%
2015 Q190.5%89.3%
2015 Q291.8%90.2%
2015 Q391.3%90.0%
2015 Q487.7%89.2%
2016 Q192.7%90.0%
2016 Q293.5%90.3%
2016 Q393.6%90.2%
2016 Q490.5%89.7%
2017 Q187.7%89.9%
2017 Q291.0%90.5%
2017 Q381.9%90.0%
2017 Q492.0%90.1%
2018 Q186.4%90.5%
2018 Q290.9%91.0%
2018 Q385.0%91.2%
2018 Q488.7%90.5%
2019 Q188.1%90.3%
2019 Q289.0%91.0%
2019 Q389.9%90.6%
2019 Q489.6%89.8%
2020 Q189.8%89.9%
2020 Q290.5%90.2%
2020 Q385.0%90.6%
2020 Q482.2%90.3%
2021 Q187.7%90.9%
2021 Q287.5%91.2%
2021 Q390.1%91.0%
2021 Q483.8%90.1%
2022 Q190.7%90.0%
2022 Q291.2%90.4%
2022 Q383.9%89.8%
2022 Q474.6%89.4%
2023 Q177.7%89.3%
2023 Q273.0%89.2%
2023 Q386.1%88.6%
2023 Q489.5%88.2%
2024 Q186.7%88.2%
2024 Q285.7%89.1%
2024 Q388.8%89.4%
2024 Q493.5%88.6%
2025 Q191.8%89.3%
2025 Q290.5%90.4%
2025 Q385.5%90.1%
2025 Q486.2%90.1%
2026 Q185.6%90.6%
2026 Q290.3%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks67.8%
  • 8 to 13 weeks5.2%
  • 13 to 26 weeks3.3%
  • Over 26 weeks0.0%
  • Extension of time agreed23.7%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks286
8 to 13 weeks22
13 to 26 weeks14
Over 26 weeks0
Extension of time agreed100

Appeals

Decided
20
Allowed
40.0%
Median wait
7 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

13.3% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 46 appeals allowed against 346 refusals.

37th 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, 10 needed no approval, 1 was approved and 2 were refused.

Fewer than 10 decided in the period.

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.08 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 110th 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

9 conservation areas: Bagshot Church Road, Bagshot Park, Bagshot Village, Basingstoke Canal, Chobham, Church Road, Windlesham, Royal Military Academy, Updown Hill, Windlesham and Upper Gordon Road to Church Hill.

Surrey Heath 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

510 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 13.1 per 1,000 homes, about 0.8 householder decisions per firm a year.

63rd 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 Surrey Heath

How long does planning permission take in Surrey Heath?

Surrey Heath decided 67.8% 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 Surrey Heath?

9 conservation areas: Bagshot Church Road, Bagshot Park, Bagshot Village, Basingstoke Canal, Chobham, Church Road, Windlesham, Royal Military Academy, Updown Hill, Windlesham and Upper Gordon Road to Church Hill. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Surrey Heath?

510 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 13.1 per 1,000 homes, about 0.8 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 Surrey Heath?

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 Surrey Heath

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

Median price per m²

£4,878

3,457 sales

11% above South East

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

52.8%

Median energy score 69

In line with South East

Value added by extending, per m²

£2,539

19.7% on the sale price

5% above South East

Energy upgrade, no extension

+2.4%

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

1.8 points below South East

The median home sold in Surrey Heath was £480,000 for 96 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 24% since 2015 (£3,926 to £4,868 per m², 2025). Across all 27,211 homes with a certificate, 50.1% are rated A to C on their latest one.

265 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 38 m². They sold for a median 19.7% more than similar unextended houses, £2,539 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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