Planning permission in South Holland

In the last 12 months, 67.6% of full planning applications were approved in South Holland (37 decided). A typical decision takes about twelve weeks (median 85 days).

Across all application types, 85.5% of 723 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on South Holland's public planning register. Data last updated: 11 April 2026.

800Total applications

723Decided

85.5%Approval rate (of decided)

618 Approved+105 Refused+22 Withdrawn+55 Pending+0 Outcome not determined=800 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	181	167	14	92.3%
Full planning applications	135	106	29	78.5%
Discharging planning conditions	122	106	16	86.9%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	54	49	5	90.7%
Change of Use	51	41	10	80.4%
Tree works in a conservation area	29	29	0	no refusals recorded
Protected tree works (TPO)	27	27	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	124	93	31	mixed types

Tree works in a conservation area: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Protected tree works (TPO): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) (16), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (14), DISMISSED (12), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (11), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (10), Advertisement Consent (9), Outline Planning (4), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (2), Phone masts and telecoms (2), Not entertained (2), Listed Building Consent (2), Prior approval (permitted development) (1), ALLOWED IN PART (1), Demolition (1), ALLOWED (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	21	15	71.4%
Q4 2023	61	55	90.2%
Q1 2024	61	54	88.5%
Q2 2024	54	43	79.6%
Q3 2024	64	57	89.1%
Q4 2024	52	44	84.6%
Q1 2025	58	47	81.0%
Q2 2025	68	61	89.7%
Q3 2025	49	38	77.6%
Q4 2025	58	46	79.3%
Q1 2026	68	59	86.8%
Q2 2026	6	4	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 53 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 75.0% in Donington to 93.4% in Pinchbeck, a gap of 18.4 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Spalding	112	98	14	87.5%
Holbeach	88	75	13	85.2%
Crowland	61	52	9	85.2%
Pinchbeck	61	57	4	93.4%
Moulton	45	40	5	88.9%
Long Sutton	43	37	6	86.0%
Gosberton	39	33	6	84.6%
Donington	36	27	9	75.0%
Gedney	31	27	4	87.1%
Whaplode	27	21	6	77.8%
Fleet	24	21	3	87.5%
Surfleet	20	15	5	75.0%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in South Holland?

Across all application types, 85.5% of 723 applications decided in South Holland since February 2023 were approved.

Do I need planning permission in South Holland?

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 Holland?

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.

Reports for South Holland are coming soon. Look up an address now to see its constraints, and join the waitlist.

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