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Planning permission in South Downs National Park

In the last 12 months, 93.0% of home project applications were approved in South Downs National Park (86 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about fourteen weeks (median 95 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2,083 Approved+174 Refused+126 Withdrawn+21 Pending+428 Outcome not determined=2,832 Total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.

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval 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.

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 101 96
95.0%
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.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval 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, 93.0% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in South Downs National Park, based on 86 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 95 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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