West Northamptonshire 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 Northamptonshire?
West Northamptonshire decided 15.0% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.
West Northamptonshire is highlighted on the map. See on the map
Within 8 weeks, no extension
15.0%
295th of 297
47.7 points slower than England
Granted
91.3%
164th of 297
0.8 points higher than England
Extension of time
79.0%
297th of 297
46.7 points higher than England
Decisions (12 months)
884
West Northamptonshire decided 884 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 91.3%.
15.0% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (295th of 297 for speed).
A further 79.0% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.
That is down from 36.1% a year earlier.
Of 32 householder appeals decided in the same period, 28.1% were allowed.
West Northamptonshire was formed from Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire. Its figures start in Apr to Jun 2021.
How quickly decisions are made
West Northamptonshire 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Q2 | 36.1% | 55.2% | 58.4% |
| 2021 Q3 | 37.0% | 48.8% | 53.1% |
| 2021 Q4 | 35.9% | 38.9% | 53.0% |
| 2022 Q1 | 34.9% | 36.8% | 51.6% |
| 2022 Q2 | 31.7% | 41.3% | 56.0% |
| 2022 Q3 | 26.8% | 38.3% | 53.3% |
| 2022 Q4 | 33.6% | 30.8% | 54.1% |
| 2023 Q1 | 29.3% | 59.2% | 53.5% |
| 2023 Q2 | 29.8% | 64.7% | 58.5% |
| 2023 Q3 | 22.2% | 73.3% | 59.0% |
| 2023 Q4 | 6.8% | 82.4% | 59.8% |
| 2024 Q1 | 7.5% | 86.0% | 58.8% |
| 2024 Q2 | 17.5% | 75.5% | 64.4% |
| 2024 Q3 | 36.0% | 57.4% | 64.2% |
| 2024 Q4 | 44.2% | 52.1% | 65.6% |
| 2025 Q1 | 35.8% | 57.8% | 62.1% |
| 2025 Q2 | 29.8% | 67.6% | 65.0% |
| 2025 Q3 | 19.6% | 74.4% | 62.5% |
| 2025 Q4 | 11.6% | 81.8% | 64.7% |
| 2026 Q1 | 9.8% | 85.3% | 60.6% |
| 2026 Q2 | 18.5% | 74.9% | 62.7% |
Share of applications granted
West Northamptonshire against England
- West Northamptonshire
- England
Show data
| Quarter | West Northamptonshire | England |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Q2 | 95.6% | 91.2% |
| 2021 Q3 | 95.2% | 91.0% |
| 2021 Q4 | 95.4% | 90.1% |
| 2022 Q1 | 92.8% | 90.0% |
| 2022 Q2 | 95.5% | 90.4% |
| 2022 Q3 | 91.3% | 89.8% |
| 2022 Q4 | 91.3% | 89.4% |
| 2023 Q1 | 90.6% | 89.3% |
| 2023 Q2 | 92.6% | 89.2% |
| 2023 Q3 | 91.4% | 88.6% |
| 2023 Q4 | 95.5% | 88.2% |
| 2024 Q1 | 93.0% | 88.2% |
| 2024 Q2 | 91.9% | 89.1% |
| 2024 Q3 | 90.0% | 89.4% |
| 2024 Q4 | 88.9% | 88.6% |
| 2025 Q1 | 93.1% | 89.3% |
| 2025 Q2 | 95.4% | 90.4% |
| 2025 Q3 | 93.2% | 90.1% |
| 2025 Q4 | 89.9% | 90.1% |
| 2026 Q1 | 92.9% | 90.6% |
| 2026 Q2 | 89.3% | 91.0% |
How long decisions took
Householder decisions over the last 12 months
- Within 8 weeks15.0%
- 8 to 13 weeks2.8%
- 13 to 26 weeks2.5%
- Over 26 weeks0.7%
- Extension of time agreed79.0%
Show data
| Time taken | Decisions |
|---|---|
| Within 8 weeks | 133 |
| 8 to 13 weeks | 25 |
| 13 to 26 weeks | 22 |
| Over 26 weeks | 6 |
| Extension of time agreed | 698 |
Appeals
- Decided
- 32
- Allowed
- 28.1%
- Median wait
- 12 weeks
Householder appeals to the Planning Inspectorate decided in the same 12 months. England: 34.4% allowed.
Refusals overturned at appeal
9.6% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 42 appeals allowed against 439 refusals.
110th 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 50 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 34 needed no approval, 11 were approved and 5 were refused.
Where West Northamptonshire had to decide, it refused 5 of 16 (31.3%), against 56.1% across England (2,210 of 3,939 decided).
Figures as first published (provisional).
MHCLG live table PDR 1.
Enforcement
1 planning enforcement notice issued in the year to June 2026.
0.01 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 16th 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
118 conservation areas: Abington Park, Abthorpe, Adstone, Alderton, All Saints, Ashby St Ledgers, Astrop, Aynho, Badby, Barrack Road, Billing Road, Blakesley and 106 more.
West Northamptonshire 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
2,375 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 12.7 per 1,000 homes, about 0.4 householder decisions per firm a year.
71st 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.
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
- West Northamptonshire15.0%
- Milton Keynes70.4%
- Buckinghamshire29.5%
- North Northamptonshire28.5%
- Harborough47.5%
- Cherwell47.1%
- Rugby37.0%
- Stratford-on-Avon62.2%
- England62.7%
Granted
- West Northamptonshire91.3%
- Milton Keynes91.5%
- Buckinghamshire86.3%
- North Northamptonshire91.4%
- Harborough92.3%
- Cherwell92.6%
- Rugby94.1%
- Stratford-on-Avon95.3%
- England90.5%
Refusals overturned at appeal
- West Northamptonshire9.6%
- Milton Keynes4.4%
- Buckinghamshire7.2%
- North Northamptonshire12.6%
- Harborough9.1%
- Cherwell7.8%
- Rugby9.8%
- Stratford-on-Avon12.5%
- England8.9%
Registered building firms per 1,000 homes
- West Northamptonshire12.7
- Milton Keynes9.5
- Buckinghamshire14.5
- North Northamptonshire10.9
- Harborough11.3
- Cherwell10.8
- Rugby8.3
- Stratford-on-Avon10.5
- England median10.1
Questions about planning in West Northamptonshire
How long does planning permission take in West Northamptonshire?
West Northamptonshire decided 15.0% 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 Northamptonshire?
118 conservation areas: Abington Park, Abthorpe, Adstone, Alderton, All Saints, Ashby St Ledgers, Astrop, Aynho, Badby, Barrack Road, Billing Road, Blakesley and 106 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.
How many builders are there in West Northamptonshire?
2,375 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 12.7 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 Northamptonshire?
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 Northamptonshire
Homes sold July 2023 to June 2026, matched to the floor area and energy rating on their Energy Performance Certificate.
Median price per m²
£3,354
17,196 sales
18% above East Midlands
Homes sold rated EPC A to C
55.3%
Median energy score 70
3.5 points above East Midlands
Value added by extending, per m²
£1,407
13.3% on the sale price
10% below East Midlands
Energy upgrade, no extension
+5.2%
Sale-price uplift when the energy score rose 5+ points
1.2 points below East Midlands
The median home sold in West Northamptonshire was £298,161 for 89 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 47% since 2015 (£2,303 to £3,377 per m², 2025). Across all 140,567 homes with a certificate, 54.8% are rated A to C on their latest one.
1,022 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 31 m². They sold for a median 13.3% more than similar unextended houses, £1,407 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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