Planning permission in Sevenoaks

In the last 12 months, 92.8% of home project applications were approved in Sevenoaks (83 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 63 days).

Across all application types, 90.1% of 4,790 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Sevenoaks's public planning register. Data last updated: 2 August 2026.

5,349Total applications

4,790Decided

90.1%Approval rate (of decided)

4,314 Approved+476 Refused+128 Withdrawn+306 Pending+125 Outcome not determined=5,349 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Discharging planning conditions	1,573	1,419	154	90.2%
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	707	645	62	91.2%
Tree works in a conservation area	662	658	4	99.4%
Protected tree works (TPO)	641	595	46	92.8%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	249	188	61	75.5%
Full planning applications	184	144	40	78.3%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	181	160	21	88.4%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	121	121	0	no refusals recorded
Prior approval (permitted development)	110	81	29	73.6%
Listed Building Consent	105	90	15	85.7%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	54	41	13	75.9%
Adjoining Authority Consultation	37	36	1	97.3%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	23	21	2	91.3%
Advertisement Consent	22	18	4	81.8%
Permission In Principle	22	11	11	50.0%
Other*	99	86	13	mixed types

Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: KCC General Regulation 3 (19), Overhead Lines (8), Phone masts and telecoms (6), Environmental impact screening and scoping (5), Hedgerow Removal (4), Demolition Consultation (4), Demolition (4), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (3), Outline Planning (3), Application vary Section 106 Agreement (2), Development Consent Consultation (2), Agricultural Notification - Details (2), Permission In Principle Technical Detail (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	163	144	88.3%
Q4 2023	405	357	88.1%
Q1 2024	413	364	88.1%
Q2 2024	415	360	86.7%
Q3 2024	434	395	91.0%
Q4 2024	430	396	92.1%
Q1 2025	359	335	93.3%
Q2 2025	328	294	89.6%
Q3 2025	326	293	89.9%
Q4 2025	273	249	91.2%
Q1 2026	369	338	91.6%
Q2 2026	148	137	92.6%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 426 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 81.6% in Halstead, Knockholt & Badgers Mount to 94.4% in Penshurst, Fordcombe & Chiddingstone, a gap of 12.8 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Sevenoaks Town & St Johns	471	437	34	92.8%
Seal & Weald	390	358	32	91.8%
Brasted, Chevening And Sundridge	354	307	47	86.7%
Sevenoaks Kippington	349	326	23	93.4%
Fawkham & West Kingsdown	271	237	34	87.5%
Otford & Shoreham	269	241	28	89.6%
Halstead, Knockholt & Badgers Mount	223	182	41	81.6%
Penshurst, Fordcombe & Chiddingstone	215	203	12	94.4%
Westerham & Crockham Hill	206	178	28	86.4%
Hartley & Hodsoll Street	194	159	35	82.0%
Farningham, Horton Kirby & South Darenth	180	154	26	85.6%
Dunton Green & Riverhead	152	140	12	92.1%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Sevenoaks?

In the last 12 months, 92.8% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Sevenoaks, based on 83 decided applications. Across all application types, 90.1% of 4,790 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Sevenoaks?

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

Do I need planning permission in Sevenoaks?

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 Sevenoaks?

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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