Planning permission in New Forest National Park

In the last 12 months, 86.2% of home project applications were approved in New Forest National Park (159 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 96.5% of 4,454 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on New Forest National Park's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

5,285Total applications

4,454Decided

96.5%Approval rate (of decided)

4,296 Approved+158 Refused+151 Withdrawn+312 Pending+368 Outcome not determined=5,285 Total

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We are not yet generating property reports for New Forest National Park. You can still look up an address to see its planning constraints (conservation area, listed building, Article 4 direction, flood zone), and leave your email to hear when New Forest National Park reports go live.

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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	1,435	1,324	111	92.3%
Tree works in a conservation area	1,215	1,215	0	no refusals recorded
Protected tree works (TPO)	693	692	1	99.9%
Discharging planning conditions	451	449	2	99.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	104	104	0	no refusals recorded
Listed Building Consent	89	83	6	93.3%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	88	80	8	90.9%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	87	80	7	92.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	61	61	0	no refusals recorded
Environmental impact screening and scoping	53	47	6	88.7%
PA - Habitat Regulations 75-78	45	44	1	97.8%
Prior approval (permitted development)	35	27	8	77.1%
Overhead Lines	34	34	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	64	56	8	mixed types

Tree works in a conservation area: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Certificate of lawfulness (existing use): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

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

* Other combines smaller categories: Phone masts and telecoms (19), PA - Agric Build to Flex (13), Advertisement Consent (10), Non Material Amendment (3), PA - Agricultural > 5 Ha (3), Conservation Area Consent (2), Outline Planning (2), Trees - Conservation Area (2), Lawful Development Certificate Proposed (2), Demolition (2), PA - Domestic Photo Voltaics (2), PA - Commercial to State School (1), PA - Office to Dwelling (1), S106 Modification / Discharge (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	160	157	98.1%
Q4 2023	381	363	95.3%
Q1 2024	323	313	96.9%
Q2 2024	338	329	97.3%
Q3 2024	345	337	97.7%
Q4 2024	345	338	98.0%
Q1 2025	313	304	97.1%
Q2 2025	316	304	96.2%
Q3 2025	377	365	96.8%
Q4 2025	366	351	95.9%
Q1 2026	327	302	92.4%
Q2 2026	105	100	95.2%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	2	2	sample too small

By Ward

All wards, across all years.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
No ward data available

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in New Forest National Park?

In the last 12 months, 86.2% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in New Forest National Park, based on 159 decided applications. Across all application types, 96.5% of 4,454 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in New Forest National Park?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in New Forest National Park in the last 12 months was 56 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in New Forest National Park?

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 New Forest National Park?

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.

Reports for New Forest National Park are coming soon. Look up an address now to see its constraints, and join the waitlist.

Look up a property in New Forest National Park See a sample report