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West Devon planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in West Devon?

West Devon decided 56.3% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

West Devon is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

56.3%

197th of 297

6.4 points slower than England

Granted

90.8%

174th of 297

In line with England

Extension of time

43.7%

235th of 297

11.4 points higher than England

Decisions (12 months)

119

West Devon decided 119 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 90.8%.

56.3% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (197th of 297 for speed).

A further 43.7% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 66.7% a year earlier.

Of 7 householder appeals decided in the same period, 28.6% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

West Devon 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 Q185.1%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q292.3%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q385.0%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q492.0%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q194.7%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q284.7%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q386.9%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q488.9%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q182.0%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q287.0%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q388.2%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q480.6%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q182.2%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q284.3%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q383.7%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q476.9%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q168.4%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q283.3%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q372.6%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q490.2%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q184.6%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q286.1%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q378.0%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q489.2%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q165.0%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q286.8%2.6%84.9%
2014 Q359.5%0.0%82.5%
2014 Q479.2%0.0%82.1%
2015 Q182.4%0.0%80.4%
2015 Q284.4%0.0%80.6%
2015 Q357.1%0.0%79.2%
2015 Q431.9%0.0%80.0%
2016 Q151.4%48.6%78.3%
2016 Q278.9%21.1%79.8%
2016 Q361.5%30.8%77.7%
2016 Q453.1%37.5%78.0%
2017 Q165.0%32.5%77.3%
2017 Q279.5%13.6%78.5%
2017 Q375.5%24.5%76.1%
2017 Q481.3%16.7%77.1%
2018 Q177.8%19.4%73.7%
2018 Q274.3%22.9%74.0%
2018 Q360.0%32.7%72.7%
2018 Q456.4%43.6%72.7%
2019 Q179.2%20.8%69.9%
2019 Q259.2%38.8%72.1%
2019 Q372.5%27.5%69.6%
2019 Q465.7%34.3%71.5%
2020 Q175.0%21.9%68.4%
2020 Q238.2%61.8%63.9%
2020 Q364.7%32.4%63.8%
2020 Q462.2%35.6%65.3%
2021 Q146.9%34.4%59.4%
2021 Q226.4%58.5%58.4%
2021 Q338.2%50.0%53.1%
2021 Q428.8%39.0%53.0%
2022 Q151.1%46.8%51.6%
2022 Q244.4%48.1%56.0%
2022 Q347.4%47.4%53.3%
2022 Q450.0%47.4%54.1%
2023 Q150.0%43.3%53.5%
2023 Q250.0%50.0%58.5%
2023 Q342.5%55.0%59.0%
2023 Q467.9%28.6%59.8%
2024 Q141.5%56.1%58.8%
2024 Q262.9%37.1%64.4%
2024 Q357.6%42.4%64.2%
2024 Q462.5%31.3%65.6%
2025 Q160.9%34.8%62.1%
2025 Q284.4%15.6%65.0%
2025 Q340.5%59.5%62.5%
2025 Q460.0%40.0%64.7%
2026 Q163.9%36.1%60.6%
2026 Q266.7%33.3%62.7%

Share of applications granted

West Devon against England

  • West Devon
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterWest DevonEngland
2008 Q181.1%85.1%
2008 Q291.2%86.1%
2008 Q391.3%86.3%
2008 Q490.0%85.3%
2009 Q192.1%85.9%
2009 Q291.5%86.8%
2009 Q391.8%87.4%
2009 Q486.1%86.9%
2010 Q194.0%87.0%
2010 Q288.3%88.0%
2010 Q392.6%87.7%
2010 Q482.3%87.5%
2011 Q177.8%87.9%
2011 Q298.0%88.5%
2011 Q388.4%88.3%
2011 Q489.7%88.3%
2012 Q186.8%88.2%
2012 Q291.7%89.2%
2012 Q391.8%89.0%
2012 Q492.2%88.9%
2013 Q197.4%89.8%
2013 Q2100.0%90.6%
2013 Q397.6%90.3%
2013 Q497.3%89.6%
2014 Q195.0%89.8%
2014 Q297.4%90.5%
2014 Q388.1%90.0%
2014 Q488.7%89.2%
2015 Q190.2%89.3%
2015 Q2100.0%90.2%
2015 Q393.9%90.0%
2015 Q4100.0%89.2%
2016 Q194.3%90.0%
2016 Q294.7%90.3%
2016 Q392.3%90.2%
2016 Q493.8%89.7%
2017 Q195.0%89.9%
2017 Q2100.0%90.5%
2017 Q395.9%90.0%
2017 Q491.7%90.1%
2018 Q197.2%90.5%
2018 Q297.1%91.0%
2018 Q398.2%91.2%
2018 Q4100.0%90.5%
2019 Q195.8%90.3%
2019 Q298.0%91.0%
2019 Q382.5%90.6%
2019 Q4100.0%89.8%
2020 Q196.9%89.9%
2020 Q294.1%90.2%
2020 Q388.2%90.6%
2020 Q493.3%90.3%
2021 Q187.5%90.9%
2021 Q281.1%91.2%
2021 Q394.1%91.0%
2021 Q488.1%90.1%
2022 Q193.6%90.0%
2022 Q281.5%90.4%
2022 Q397.4%89.8%
2022 Q484.2%89.4%
2023 Q190.0%89.3%
2023 Q288.5%89.2%
2023 Q385.0%88.6%
2023 Q492.9%88.2%
2024 Q185.4%88.2%
2024 Q297.1%89.1%
2024 Q378.8%89.4%
2024 Q493.8%88.6%
2025 Q178.3%89.3%
2025 Q293.8%90.4%
2025 Q391.9%90.1%
2025 Q492.0%90.1%
2026 Q194.4%90.6%
2026 Q281.0%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks56.3%
  • 8 to 13 weeks0.0%
  • 13 to 26 weeks0.0%
  • Over 26 weeks0.0%
  • Extension of time agreed43.7%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks67
8 to 13 weeks0
13 to 26 weeks0
Over 26 weeks0
Extension of time agreed52

Appeals

Decided
7
Allowed
28.6%
Median wait
14 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

17.4% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 13 appeals allowed against 72 refusals.

Split decisions count as half.

10th 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 2 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 0 needed no approval, 1 was approved and 1 was 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.

0.32 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 29th 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

24 conservation areas: Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers, Bondleigh, Bratton Clovelly, Bridestowe, Broadwood-kelly, Buckland Monachorum, Eworthy, Exbourne, Germansweek, Hatherleigh, Lamerton and 12 more.

West Devon 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

285 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 10.3 per 1,000 homes, about 0.4 householder decisions per firm a year.

138th 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 West Devon

How long does planning permission take in West Devon?

West Devon decided 56.3% 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 West Devon?

24 conservation areas: Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers, Bondleigh, Bratton Clovelly, Bridestowe, Broadwood-kelly, Buckland Monachorum, Eworthy, Exbourne, Germansweek, Hatherleigh, Lamerton and 12 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in West Devon?

285 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 10.3 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 West Devon?

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 West Devon

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

Median price per m²

£3,239

2,423 sales

10% below South West

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

47.7%

Median energy score 68

2.8 points below South West

Value added by extending, per m²

£1,349

11.7% on the sale price

33% below South West

Energy upgrade, no extension

+5.6%

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

In line with South West

The median home sold in West Devon was £295,000 for 92 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 45% since 2015 (£2,217 to £3,214 per m², 2025). Across all 19,952 homes with a certificate, 40.7% are rated A to C on their latest one.

70 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 28 m². They sold for a median 11.7% more than similar unextended houses, £1,349 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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