Planning permission in Eastbourne

In the last 12 months, 92.1% of home project applications were approved in Eastbourne (152 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 60 days).

Across all application types, 90.8% of 2,222 applications decided since May 2023 were approved. Based on Eastbourne's public planning register. Data last updated: 22 August 2026.

2,619Total applications

2,222Decided

90.8%Approval rate (of decided)

2,017 Approved+205 Refused+47 Withdrawn+298 Pending+52 Outcome not determined=2,619 Total

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By Development Category

All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	657	614	43	93.5%
Discharging planning conditions	380	378	2	99.5%
Full planning applications	325	262	63	80.6%
Protected tree works (TPO)	194	166	28	85.6%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	119	117	2	98.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	105	94	11	89.5%
Tree works in a conservation area	92	87	5	94.6%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	69	61	8	88.4%
Listed Building Consent	67	65	2	97.0%
Prior approval (permitted development)	53	43	10	81.1%
Extensions under permitted development (prior approval)	28	24	4	85.7%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	23	12	11	52.2%
Other*	110	94	16	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Advertisement Consent (18), Outline Planning (16), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (14), Overhead Lines Notification (12), Modification of Planning Obligation (9), Consultation by ESCC (9), Environmental impact screening and scoping (7), Planning Permission in Principle (7), Class BC Permitted Development right (4), Prior Approval from Office to Dwelling (3), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (3), Demolition (2), Phone masts and telecoms (2), Class AA enlarge by addit storeys (1), ClassA new flats (1), Prior Approval from AGR to Flexible (1), Hedgerow Removal (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

Quarter	Decided	Approved	Approval rate
Q3 2023	62	51	82.3%
Q4 2023	177	159	89.8%
Q1 2024	243	229	94.2%
Q2 2024	218	186	85.3%
Q3 2024	168	152	90.5%
Q4 2024	203	192	94.6%
Q1 2025	204	183	89.7%
Q2 2025	181	173	95.6%
Q3 2025	245	230	93.9%
Q4 2025	180	168	93.3%
Q1 2026	153	126	82.4%
Q2 2026	53	45	84.9%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	5	5	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 223 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 85.4% in Peacehaven North to 96.6% in Seaford South, a gap of 11.2 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Chailey, Barcombe & Hamsey	367	338	29	92.1%
Ouse Valley & Ringmer	308	285	23	92.5%
Newick	185	162	23	87.6%
East Saltdean & Telscombe Cliffs	164	143	21	87.2%
Newhaven South	127	111	16	87.4%
Wivelsfield	122	106	16	86.9%
Seaford South	119	115	4	96.6%
Seaford Central	104	98	6	94.2%
Plumpton Streat E.Chiltington St John W	95	87	8	91.6%
Seaford East	92	84	8	91.3%
Seaford North	90	85	5	94.4%
Peacehaven North	89	76	13	85.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Eastbourne?

In the last 12 months, 92.1% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Eastbourne, based on 152 decided applications. Across all application types, 90.8% of 2,222 applications decided since May 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Eastbourne?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Eastbourne in the last 12 months was 60 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Eastbourne?

It depends on the project and the property. Many home projects fall under permitted development rights, but constraints such as conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions change what needs permission at a specific address. See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.

Do I need a planning consultant in Eastbourne?

Many home projects do not need one. A straightforward extension on an unconstrained property is often handled directly with the council, or with an architect or agent preparing the drawings. A consultant is more likely to earn their fee where the site is constrained, the council has refused similar schemes, or an appeal is in prospect. Understanding your property's constraints and the council's recent decisions first makes any conversation with a professional a better-informed one.

Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights, Article 4 directions and planning costs.

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