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Tonbridge and Malling planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in Tonbridge and Malling?

Tonbridge and Malling decided 46.1% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Tonbridge and Malling is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

46.1%

251st of 297

16.6 points slower than England

Granted

96.5%

48th of 297

6.0 points higher than England

Extension of time

51.0%

261st of 297

18.7 points higher than England

Decisions (12 months)

516

Tonbridge and Malling decided 516 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 96.5%.

46.1% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (251st of 297 for speed).

A further 51.0% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 49.2% a year earlier.

Of 9 householder appeals decided in the same period, 22.2% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Tonbridge and Malling 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 Q194.8%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q293.8%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q396.0%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q494.6%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q195.9%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q297.8%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q393.6%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q495.7%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q193.5%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q290.1%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q394.4%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q490.0%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q190.8%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q288.4%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q384.5%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q488.5%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q190.7%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q280.4%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q387.3%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q483.2%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q174.6%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q281.3%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q382.4%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q484.0%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q181.8%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q280.3%0.0%84.9%
2014 Q384.4%0.6%82.5%
2014 Q478.3%0.0%82.1%
2015 Q180.3%1.3%80.4%
2015 Q276.4%3.9%80.6%
2015 Q364.9%20.0%79.2%
2015 Q487.0%4.9%80.0%
2016 Q181.1%10.6%78.3%
2016 Q288.8%6.2%79.8%
2016 Q391.5%6.5%77.7%
2016 Q489.4%6.9%78.0%
2017 Q182.9%12.6%77.3%
2017 Q281.1%8.6%78.5%
2017 Q378.3%11.8%76.1%
2017 Q488.4%7.2%77.1%
2018 Q176.3%20.5%73.7%
2018 Q272.5%10.6%74.0%
2018 Q360.5%11.8%72.7%
2018 Q473.1%15.8%72.7%
2019 Q190.4%7.8%69.9%
2019 Q289.9%10.1%72.1%
2019 Q395.2%3.6%69.6%
2019 Q497.3%2.7%71.5%
2020 Q194.2%5.1%68.4%
2020 Q281.3%15.1%63.9%
2020 Q389.0%8.8%63.8%
2020 Q491.7%5.9%65.3%
2021 Q191.0%6.5%59.4%
2021 Q274.7%14.1%58.4%
2021 Q331.0%28.9%53.1%
2021 Q419.9%52.8%53.0%
2022 Q116.6%54.9%51.6%
2022 Q240.5%44.6%56.0%
2022 Q360.0%32.9%53.3%
2022 Q474.3%22.0%54.1%
2023 Q177.2%19.6%53.5%
2023 Q270.4%24.3%58.5%
2023 Q374.0%22.7%59.0%
2023 Q416.2%72.1%59.8%
2024 Q113.0%72.5%58.8%
2024 Q235.4%52.0%64.4%
2024 Q351.1%36.8%64.2%
2024 Q458.7%30.3%65.6%
2025 Q149.1%40.5%62.1%
2025 Q240.3%45.1%65.0%
2025 Q350.0%47.3%62.5%
2025 Q469.0%29.0%64.7%
2026 Q135.3%60.0%60.6%
2026 Q231.7%65.5%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Tonbridge and Malling against England

  • Tonbridge and Malling
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterTonbridge and MallingEngland
2008 Q188.1%85.1%
2008 Q289.9%86.1%
2008 Q388.1%86.3%
2008 Q489.2%85.3%
2009 Q187.6%85.9%
2009 Q291.8%86.8%
2009 Q392.9%87.4%
2009 Q488.6%86.9%
2010 Q192.0%87.0%
2010 Q285.1%88.0%
2010 Q393.8%87.7%
2010 Q482.7%87.5%
2011 Q193.1%87.9%
2011 Q294.5%88.5%
2011 Q393.1%88.3%
2011 Q487.9%88.3%
2012 Q192.2%88.2%
2012 Q292.9%89.2%
2012 Q391.1%89.0%
2012 Q492.0%88.9%
2013 Q193.4%89.8%
2013 Q292.2%90.6%
2013 Q395.9%90.3%
2013 Q492.0%89.6%
2014 Q193.4%89.8%
2014 Q293.4%90.5%
2014 Q395.2%90.0%
2014 Q490.8%89.2%
2015 Q194.3%89.3%
2015 Q294.1%90.2%
2015 Q394.6%90.0%
2015 Q491.8%89.2%
2016 Q191.7%90.0%
2016 Q291.7%90.3%
2016 Q393.5%90.2%
2016 Q493.1%89.7%
2017 Q195.4%89.9%
2017 Q295.5%90.5%
2017 Q394.1%90.0%
2017 Q491.2%90.1%
2018 Q193.7%90.5%
2018 Q296.1%91.0%
2018 Q395.9%91.2%
2018 Q495.3%90.5%
2019 Q195.2%90.3%
2019 Q296.6%91.0%
2019 Q396.4%90.6%
2019 Q498.6%89.8%
2020 Q196.4%89.9%
2020 Q294.0%90.2%
2020 Q389.7%90.6%
2020 Q491.7%90.3%
2021 Q194.5%90.9%
2021 Q293.9%91.2%
2021 Q393.4%91.0%
2021 Q490.6%90.1%
2022 Q188.1%90.0%
2022 Q288.7%90.4%
2022 Q390.0%89.8%
2022 Q484.3%89.4%
2023 Q190.2%89.3%
2023 Q291.4%89.2%
2023 Q390.7%88.6%
2023 Q491.2%88.2%
2024 Q184.7%88.2%
2024 Q286.9%89.1%
2024 Q390.2%89.4%
2024 Q490.8%88.6%
2025 Q193.1%89.3%
2025 Q296.5%90.4%
2025 Q396.2%90.1%
2025 Q494.0%90.1%
2026 Q1100.0%90.6%
2026 Q296.6%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks46.1%
  • 8 to 13 weeks1.6%
  • 13 to 26 weeks1.2%
  • Over 26 weeks0.2%
  • Extension of time agreed51.0%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks238
8 to 13 weeks8
13 to 26 weeks6
Over 26 weeks1
Extension of time agreed263

Appeals

Decided
9
Allowed
22.2%
Median wait
9 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

8.2% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 24 appeals allowed against 288 refusals.

Split decisions count as half.

140th 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 14 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 13 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

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

0.15 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 92nd 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

60 conservation areas: Addington, Aldon, Offham, Aylesford, Birling, Birling Place, Bradbourne, East Malling, Budd's Green, Shipbourne, Bullen Corner, East Peckham, Butchers Lane, Mereworth, Butts Hill, Wrotham, Clare Park and Blacklands, Claygate Cross, Plaxtol and 48 more.

Tonbridge and Malling 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

1,000 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 17.1 per 1,000 homes, about 0.5 householder decisions per firm a year.

22nd 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 Tonbridge and Malling

How long does planning permission take in Tonbridge and Malling?

Tonbridge and Malling decided 46.1% 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 Tonbridge and Malling?

60 conservation areas: Addington, Aldon, Offham, Aylesford, Birling, Birling Place, Bradbourne, East Malling, Budd's Green, Shipbourne, Bullen Corner, East Peckham, Butchers Lane, Mereworth, Butts Hill, Wrotham, Clare Park and Blacklands, Claygate Cross, Plaxtol and 48 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Tonbridge and Malling?

1,000 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 17.1 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 Tonbridge and Malling?

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 Tonbridge and Malling

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

Median price per m²

£4,600

5,384 sales

5% above South East

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

56.6%

Median energy score 70

4.0 points above South East

Value added by extending, per m²

£2,240

17.0% on the sale price

7% below South East

Energy upgrade, no extension

+5.4%

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

1.2 points above South East

The median home sold in Tonbridge and Malling was £411,150 for 88 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 35% since 2015 (£3,427 to £4,636 per m², 2025). Across all 40,687 homes with a certificate, 54.6% are rated A to C on their latest one.

376 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 33 m². They sold for a median 17.0% more than similar unextended houses, £2,240 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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