Planning permission in Hastings

In the last 12 months, 90.8% of home project applications were approved in Hastings (76 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 66 days).

Across all application types, 87.0% of 1,812 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Hastings's public planning register. Data last updated: 9 April 2026.

2,079Total applications

1,812Decided

87.0%Approval rate (of decided)

1,576 Approved+236 Refused+108 Withdrawn+0 Pending+159 Outcome not determined=2,079 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	472	397	75	84.1%
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	404	360	44	89.1%
Discharging planning conditions	337	303	34	89.9%
Protected tree works (TPO)	189	177	12	93.7%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	150	119	31	79.3%
Listed Building Consent	110	96	14	87.3%
Advertisement Consent	41	36	5	87.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	28	23	5	82.1%
Other*	81	65	16	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: County Deemed Permission (Reg 3 & 4) (15), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (13), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (11), Phone masts and telecoms (11), General PD - Extensions (8), Planning in Principle (6), Demolition (5), Outline Planning (4), PA Part 14 Class J (3), PA Part 18 Class A (1), PA Part 20 Class AB (1), Variation of S106 Agreement (1), PA Part 3 Class G (1), Hazardous substances (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	50	41	82.0%
Q4 2023	175	153	87.4%
Q1 2024	165	141	85.5%
Q2 2024	160	133	83.1%
Q3 2024	170	147	86.5%
Q4 2024	152	135	88.8%
Q1 2025	152	142	93.4%
Q2 2025	115	99	86.1%
Q3 2025	138	118	85.5%
Q4 2025	161	145	90.1%
Q1 2026	130	111	85.4%
Q2 2026	12	10	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 164 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 81.4% in BRAYBROOKE 2018 to 94.6% in CONQUEST 2018, a gap of 13.2 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
CASTLE 2018	293	248	45	84.6%
OLD HASTINGS 2018	193	173	20	89.6%
ASHDOWN 2018	168	149	19	88.7%
CENTRAL ST LEONARDS 2018	165	147	18	89.1%
MAZE HILL 2018	144	131	13	91.0%
CONQUEST 2018	111	105	6	94.6%
GENSING 2018	109	93	16	85.3%
ST HELENS 2018	95	80	15	84.2%
BAIRD 2018	87	78	9	89.7%
WEST ST LEONARDS 2018	86	72	14	83.7%
BRAYBROOKE 2018	86	70	16	81.4%
SILVERHILL 2018	77	69	8	89.6%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Hastings?

In the last 12 months, 90.8% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Hastings, based on 76 decided applications. Across all application types, 87.0% of 1,812 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Hastings?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Hastings in the last 12 months was 66 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Hastings?

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 Hastings?

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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