Planning permission in Southampton

In the last 12 months, 92.5% of home project applications were approved in Southampton (187 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 55 days).

Across all application types, 87.6% of 4,499 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Southampton's public planning register. Data last updated: 2 August 2026.

5,151Total applications

4,499Decided

87.6%Approval rate (of decided)

3,940 Approved+559 Refused+146 Withdrawn+433 Pending+73 Outcome not determined=5,151 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	1,876	1,684	192	89.8%
Protected tree works (TPO)	900	630	270	70.0%
Discharging planning conditions	472	464	8	98.3%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	253	234	19	92.5%
Prior approval (permitted development)	200	180	20	90.0%
Tree works in a conservation area	199	197	2	99.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	177	165	12	93.2%
Advertisement Consent	156	151	5	96.8%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	152	138	14	90.8%
Listed Building Consent	68	64	4	94.1%
Other*	46	33	13	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Changing a planning condition (S73) (18), Outline Planning (9), Phone masts and telecoms (7), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (5), Environmental impact screening and scoping (3), Notifications The Electronic Comms Code (2), Consultation (1), Part 20 (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	156	136	87.2%
Q4 2023	340	278	81.8%
Q1 2024	365	312	85.5%
Q2 2024	362	324	89.5%
Q3 2024	365	328	89.9%
Q4 2024	372	326	87.6%
Q1 2025	355	320	90.1%
Q2 2025	401	353	88.0%
Q3 2025	348	300	86.2%
Q4 2025	365	323	88.5%
Q1 2026	318	287	90.3%
Q2 2026	26	25	96.2%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	13	13	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 511 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 80.1% in Woolston to 94.3% in Shirley, a gap of 14.2 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Bassett	487	422	65	86.7%
Bargate	432	405	27	93.8%
Portswood	426	386	40	90.6%
Banister and Polygon	320	285	35	89.1%
Swaythling	318	291	27	91.5%
Shirley	299	282	17	94.3%
Bevois	267	236	31	88.4%
Peartree	261	224	37	85.8%
Bitterne Park	251	205	46	81.7%
Woolston	211	169	42	80.1%
Millbrook	208	183	25	88.0%
Freemantle	205	177	28	86.3%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Southampton?

In the last 12 months, 92.5% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Southampton, based on 187 decided applications. Across all application types, 87.6% of 4,499 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Southampton?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Southampton in the last 12 months was 55 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Southampton?

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 Southampton?

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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