Planning permission in Exeter

In the last 12 months, 86.1% of home project applications were approved in Exeter (72 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about ten weeks (median 67 days).

Across all application types, 91.4% of 2,229 applications decided since April 2023 were approved. Based on Exeter's public planning register. Data last updated: 13 May 2026.

2,947Total applications

2,229Decided

91.4%Approval rate (of decided)

2,038 Approved+191 Refused+97 Withdrawn+255 Pending+366 Outcome not determined=2,947 Total

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Decision Level

2,221Delegated

15Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	450	385	65	85.6%
Tree works in a conservation area	437	435	2	99.5%
Discharging planning conditions	408	392	16	96.1%
Listed Building Consent	228	207	21	90.8%
Protected tree works (TPO)	167	149	18	89.2%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	154	140	14	90.9%
Advertisement Consent	122	113	9	92.6%
Prior approval (permitted development)	113	90	23	79.6%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	65	56	9	86.2%
Other*	85	71	14	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Phone masts and telecoms (18), Demolition (14), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (10), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (9), Modify / Discharge Planning Obligations (9), Outline Planning (8), Minor Permission in Principle (4), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (2), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (2), Permission in principle technical detail (2), Statutory Undertakers Consultation (2), Exeter City Council Regulation 3 (2), Telecomms Apparatus Notification (1), Regulation 77 Habitats (1), Prior App - Comm. to Mix Use (Class G) (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	60	57	95.0%
Q4 2023	200	193	96.5%
Q1 2024	181	165	91.2%
Q2 2024	149	136	91.3%
Q3 2024	189	173	91.5%
Q4 2024	218	197	90.4%
Q1 2025	193	174	90.2%
Q2 2025	165	147	89.1%
Q3 2025	191	173	90.6%
Q4 2025	259	230	88.8%
Q1 2026	233	212	91.0%
Q2 2026	68	62	91.2%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 53 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 76.4% in St Thomas to 95.3% in Newtown And St Leonards, a gap of 18.9 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
St Davids	369	348	21	94.3%
Topsham	366	330	36	90.2%
Newtown And St Leonards	300	286	14	95.3%
Duryard And St James	212	194	18	91.5%
Alphington	176	166	10	94.3%
Pinhoe	117	107	10	91.5%
St Loyes	116	101	15	87.1%
Heavitree	112	102	10	91.1%
Priory	94	84	10	89.4%
St Thomas	89	68	21	76.4%
Pennsylvania	85	77	8	90.6%
Exwick	62	57	5	91.9%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Exeter?

In the last 12 months, 86.1% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Exeter, based on 72 decided applications. Across all application types, 91.4% of 2,229 applications decided since April 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Exeter?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Exeter in the last 12 months was 67 days (about ten weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Exeter?

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 Exeter?

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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