Planning permission in South Downs National Park

In the last 12 months, 92.4% of home project applications were approved in South Downs National Park (79 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about fourteen weeks (median 97 days).

Across all application types, 92.3% of 2,257 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on South Downs National Park's public planning register. Data last updated: 8 April 2026.

2,832Total applications

2,257Decided

92.3%Approval rate (of decided)

2,083 Approved+174 Refused+126 Withdrawn+21 Pending+428 Outcome not determined=2,832 Total

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Decision Level

2,814Delegated

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	552	511	41	92.6%
Tree works in a conservation area	330	328	2	99.4%
Discharging planning conditions	321	307	14	95.6%
Full planning applications	270	227	43	84.1%
Listed Building Consent	244	231	13	94.7%
Protected tree works (TPO)	113	109	4	96.5%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	99	94	5	94.9%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	73	65	8	89.0%
Phone masts and telecoms	48	46	2	95.8%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	45	31	14	68.9%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	35	27	8	77.1%
Prior approval (permitted development)	28	21	7	75.0%
Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q)	27	20	7	74.1%
Other*	72	66	6	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Overhead Electricity Lines (17), Advertisement Consent (13), Change of Use (12), EA Consultation on Environmental Permit (12), Environmental impact screening and scoping (8), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (3), Habitats Regulations Assessment (3), Statutory Undertaking PD (1), Modification to Planning Obligation (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	77	72	93.5%
Q4 2023	194	184	94.8%
Q1 2024	199	180	90.5%
Q2 2024	206	185	89.8%
Q3 2024	193	165	85.5%
Q4 2024	241	223	92.5%
Q1 2025	211	195	92.4%
Q2 2025	193	181	93.8%
Q3 2025	210	200	95.2%
Q4 2025	126	118	93.7%
Q1 2026	104	98	94.2%
Q2 2026	15	14	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 189 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 84.0% in Lewes Castle Ward to 96.9% in Upper Meon Valley Ward, a gap of 12.9 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Upper Meon Valley Ward	127	123	4	96.9%
Midhurst Ward CH	111	107	4	96.4%
Lewes Priory Ward	104	93	11	89.4%
Fernhurst Ward CH	101	89	12	88.1%
Harting Ward CH	98	93	5	94.9%
Fittleworth Ward CH	97	85	12	87.6%
Binsted, Bentley & Selborne Ward	82	73	9	89.0%
Buriton & East Meon Ward	78	72	6	92.3%
Central Meon Valley Ward	75	71	4	94.7%
Lewes Castle Ward	75	63	12	84.0%
Lewes Bridge Ward	75	68	7	90.7%
Petersfield St Peter's Ward	73	68	5	93.2%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in South Downs National Park?

In the last 12 months, 92.4% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in South Downs National Park, based on 79 decided applications. Across all application types, 92.3% of 2,257 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in South Downs National Park?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in South Downs National Park in the last 12 months was 97 days (about fourteen weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in South Downs 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 South Downs 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.

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