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South Downs

In the last 12 months, 92.3% of householder applications were approved in South Downs (182 decided). A typical householder decision takes about twelve weeks (median 86 days).

Full planning applications: 91.8% approved (73 decided).

Across all application types on record (2023-01-27–2026-05-01): 93.0% of 2,633 decisions approved.

3,392Total applications
2,450Approved
183Refused
156Withdrawn
30Pending
93.0%Approval rate (all types)
Check a property in South Downs
Decision Level
2,413LA Delegated Decision
952SDNPA Delegated Decision
12SDNPA Committee Decision
11LA Committee Decision
3Not Available
By Development Category
CategoryTotalApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Householder 636 592 44
93.1%
Tree Works (Conservation Area) 389 387 2
99.5%
Discharge of Conditions 376 365 11
97.1%
Full Planning Application 284 239 45
84.2%
Listed Building Consent 275 268 7
97.5%
Tree Works (TPO) 152 145 7
95.4%
Variation/Removal of Conditions (S73) 111 104 7
93.7%
Non-Material Amendment (S96a) 76 69 7
90.8%
Prior Approval (Other) 69 53 16
76.8%
Telecommunications 69 65 4
94.2%
Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) 48 36 12
75.0%
Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing) 39 27 12
69.2%
Overhead Electricity Lines 29 28 1
96.6%
Advertisement Consent 23 19 4
82.6%
Change of Use 15 12 3
80.0%
Habitats Regulations Assessment 10 10 0
100.0%
EA Consultation on Environmental Permit 8 8 0
100.0%
Prior Approval Electricity Undertakings 7 7 0
100.0%
Environmental Impact Assessment (Screening/Scoping) 5 5 0
100.0%
County/Minerals/Waste 3 2 1
66.7%
Reserved Matters 2 2 0
100.0%
Statutory Undertaking PD 2 2 0
100.0%
Prior Approval (Class MA — Commercial to Residential) 1 1 0
100.0%
Adjoining Authority Consultation 1 1 0
100.0%
Uncategorised 1 1 0
100.0%
Water or hydraulic power undertakings 1 1 0
100.0%
Planning Permission in Principle 1 1 0
100.0%
Quarterly Trend
QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
2023-Q3 136 129
94.9%
2023-Q4 213 204
95.8%
2024-Q1 216 197
91.2%
2024-Q2 231 209
90.5%
2024-Q3 236 212
89.8%
2024-Q4 253 232
91.7%
2025-Q1 220 211
95.9%
2025-Q2 221 203
91.9%
2025-Q3 255 243
95.3%
2025-Q4 229 222
96.9%
2026-Q1 249 227
91.2%
2026-Q2 85 77
90.6%
By Ward
WardTotalApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Upper Meon Valley Ward 143 141 2
98.6%
Fittleworth Ward CH 136 125 11
91.9%
Fernhurst Ward CH 130 113 17
86.9%
Midhurst Ward CH 120 113 7
94.2%
Harting Ward CH 117 106 11
90.6%
Lewes Priory Ward 115 105 10
91.3%
Lewes Bridge Ward 88 75 13
85.2%
Buriton & East Meon Ward 88 82 6
93.2%
Central Meon Valley Ward 86 81 5
94.2%
Lewes Castle Ward 84 78 6
92.9%
Petersfield St Peter's Ward 79 77 2
97.5%
Binsted, Bentley & Selborne Ward 78 72 6
92.3%
Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.