Planning permission in Horsham

In the last 12 months, 96.6% of home project applications were approved in Horsham (388 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 63 days).

Across all application types, 91.6% of 6,390 applications decided since April 2023 were approved. Based on Horsham's public planning register. Data last updated: 13 May 2026.

7,697Total applications

6,390Decided

91.6%Approval rate (of decided)

5,855 Approved+535 Refused+303 Withdrawn+848 Pending+156 Outcome not determined=7,697 Total

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Decision Level

7,573Delegated

109Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	1,868	1,794	74	96.0%
Discharge of Condition	792	744	48	93.9%
Protected tree works (TPO)	694	676	18	97.4%
Full planning applications	386	311	75	80.6%
Phone masts and telecoms	337	335	2	99.4%
Conservation Area	316	314	2	99.4%
Prior Approval	308	272	36	88.3%
Demolition	238	193	45	81.1%
Listed Building	224	216	8	96.4%
Change of Use	202	146	56	72.3%
Residential Extension	180	162	18	90.0%
Residential New Build	162	109	53	67.3%
Non-Material Amendment	150	119	31	79.3%
Lawful Development	139	108	31	77.7%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	75	71	4	94.7%
Advertisement Consent	60	55	5	91.7%
Neighbouring Authority Consultation	57	57	0	no refusals recorded
Commercial	56	43	13	76.8%
Mod/Discharge of Planning Obligation	40	38	2	95.0%
Overhead Electricity Lines	31	31	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	75	61	14	mixed types

Neighbouring Authority Consultation: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Overhead Electricity Lines: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Conservation Area Consent (19), Signage (12), Outline Planning (10), Trees (7), Conversion to Flats (6), Discharging planning conditions (5), Habitats Regulations Assessment (5), Mixed Use (4), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (2), Conservation Area Notification (S211) (2), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (1), Listed Building Consent (1), Hazardous Substance Consent (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	208	191	91.8%
Q4 2023	445	413	92.8%
Q1 2024	476	433	91.0%
Q2 2024	578	513	88.8%
Q3 2024	565	487	86.2%
Q4 2024	588	545	92.7%
Q1 2025	515	445	86.4%
Q2 2025	577	526	91.2%
Q3 2025	634	586	92.4%
Q4 2025	668	629	94.2%
Q1 2026	533	508	95.3%
Q2 2026	8	4	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 741 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 85.9% in Cowfold, Shermanbury and West Grinstead to 96.1% in Denne, a gap of 10.2 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
West Chiltington, Thakeham and Ashington	554	505	49	91.2%
Itchingfield, Slinfold and Warnham	479	431	48	90.0%
Storrington and Washington	472	423	49	89.6%
Denne	439	422	17	96.1%
Billingshurst	396	368	28	92.9%
Cowfold, Shermanbury and West Grinstead	389	334	55	85.9%
Colgate and Rusper	376	334	42	88.8%
Steyning and Ashurst	305	282	23	92.5%
Southwater South and Shipley	279	252	27	90.3%
Forest	271	260	11	95.9%
Nuthurst and Lower Beeding	271	254	17	93.7%
Bramber, Upper Beeding and Woodmancote	270	241	29	89.3%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Horsham?

In the last 12 months, 96.6% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Horsham, based on 388 decided applications. Across all application types, 91.6% of 6,390 applications decided since April 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Horsham?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Horsham in the last 12 months was 63 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Horsham?

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 Horsham?

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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