Planning permission in South Downs

In the last 12 months, 91.7% of home project applications were approved in South Downs (168 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about twelve weeks (median 85 days).

Across all application types, 93.0% of 2,633 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on South Downs's public planning register. Data last updated: 2 May 2026.

3,392Total applications

2,633Decided

93.0%Approval rate (of decided)

2,450 Approved+183 Refused+156 Withdrawn+30 Pending+573 Outcome not determined=3,392 Total

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Decision Level

3,365Delegated

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	636	592	44	93.1%
Tree works in a conservation area	389	387	2	99.5%
Discharging planning conditions	376	365	11	97.1%
Full planning applications	284	239	45	84.2%
Listed Building Consent	275	268	7	97.5%
Protected tree works (TPO)	152	145	7	95.4%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	111	104	7	93.7%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	76	69	7	90.8%
Prior approval (permitted development)	69	53	16	76.8%
Phone masts and telecoms	69	65	4	94.2%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	48	36	12	75.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	39	27	12	69.2%
Overhead Electricity Lines	29	28	1	96.6%
Advertisement Consent	23	19	4	82.6%
Other*	57	53	4	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Change of Use (15), Habitats Regulations Assessment (10), EA Consultation on Environmental Permit (8), Prior Approval Electricity Undertakings (7), Environmental impact screening and scoping (5), Minerals and waste (3), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (2), Statutory Undertaking PD (2), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (1), Adjoining Authority Consultation (1), Planning Permission in Principle (1), Water or hydraulic power undertakings (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	75	71	94.7%
Q4 2023	213	204	95.8%
Q1 2024	216	197	91.2%
Q2 2024	231	209	90.5%
Q3 2024	236	212	89.8%
Q4 2024	253	232	91.7%
Q1 2025	220	211	95.9%
Q2 2025	221	203	91.9%
Q3 2025	255	243	95.3%
Q4 2025	229	222	96.9%
Q1 2026	249	227	91.2%
Q2 2026	85	77	90.6%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 220 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 85.2% in Lewes Bridge Ward to 98.6% in Upper Meon Valley Ward, a gap of 13.4 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval 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%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in South Downs?

In the last 12 months, 91.7% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in South Downs, based on 168 decided applications. Across all application types, 93.0% of 2,633 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in South Downs?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in South Downs in the last 12 months was 85 days (about twelve weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in South Downs?

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 South Downs?

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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