In the last 12 months, 89.9% of full planning applications were approved in New Forest (496 decided). A typical decision takes about eight weeks (median 57 days).
Across all application types on record (2023-01-11–2026-06-10): 91.4% of 2,834 decisions approved.
| Category | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Planning Application | 2,219 | 2,034 | 185 | |
| Listed Building Consent | 188 | 173 | 15 | |
| Variation/Removal of Conditions (S73) | 142 | 137 | 5 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 75 | 62 | 13 | |
| Prior Approval (Other) | 39 | 32 | 7 | |
| Householder (Prior Approval) | 32 | 25 | 7 | |
| Demolition | 21 | 20 | 1 | |
| Reg 75 of the Habitat Regulations | 19 | 19 | 0 | |
| PA Commercial/Busine/Service to dwelling | 18 | 17 | 1 | |
| Environmental Impact Assessment (Screening/Scoping) | 11 | 11 | 0 | |
| Application by Hampshire County Council | 10 | 10 | 0 | |
| Outline Planning | 9 | 5 | 4 | |
| County/Minerals/Waste | 9 | 9 | 0 | |
| Reserved Matters | 8 | 8 | 0 | |
| Telecommunications | 8 | 5 | 3 | |
| Overhead Lines | 8 | 8 | 0 | |
| Householder | 7 | 5 | 2 | |
| PA alteration to University building | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Reg 3 Council's Own Development | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Hazardous Substances Consent | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Conservation Area Consent | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| PA new dwell on det bldg in comm/mix use | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Discharge of Conditions | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Uncategorised | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| PA new dwel onterrace bldgs comm/mix use | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Non-Material Amendment (S96a) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Quarter | Decided | Approved | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | 248 | 231 | |
| 2023-Q4 | 213 | 197 | |
| 2024-Q1 | 223 | 208 | |
| 2024-Q2 | 237 | 217 | |
| 2024-Q3 | 213 | 203 | |
| 2024-Q4 | 204 | 181 | |
| 2025-Q1 | 226 | 203 | |
| 2025-Q2 | 251 | 231 | |
| 2025-Q3 | 223 | 208 | |
| 2025-Q4 | 230 | 204 | |
| 2026-Q1 | 206 | 183 | |
| 2026-Q2 | 29 | 23 |
| Ward | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lymington | 344 | 307 | 37 | |
| Milford & Hordle | 311 | 287 | 24 | |
| Ringwood South | 192 | 173 | 19 | |
| Fordingbridge, Godshill & Hyde | 177 | 161 | 16 | |
| Barton & Becton | 161 | 148 | 13 | |
| Ringwood North & Ellingham | 155 | 145 | 10 | |
| Pennington | 145 | 139 | 6 | |
| Downlands & Forest North | 135 | 112 | 23 | |
| Milton | 111 | 94 | 17 | |
| Marchwood & Eling | 110 | 105 | 5 | |
| Totton Central | 99 | 93 | 6 | |
| Fawley, Blackfield, Calshot & Langley | 97 | 89 | 8 |
Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.