Planning permission in Surrey Heath

In the last 12 months, 86.7% of home project applications were approved in Surrey Heath (241 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 86.4% of 3,661 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Surrey Heath's public planning register. Data last updated: 25 May 2026.

4,813Total applications

3,661Decided

86.4%Approval rate (of decided)

3,164 Approved+497 Refused+231 Withdrawn+378 Pending+543 Outcome not determined=4,813 Total

Reports for Surrey Heath are coming soon.

We are not yet generating property reports for Surrey Heath. You can still look up an address to see its planning constraints (conservation area, listed building, Article 4 direction, flood zone), and leave your email to hear when Surrey Heath reports go live.

Look up a property in Surrey Heath See a sample report

Decision Level

4,046Delegated

75Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	1,556	1,339	217	86.1%
Tree works in a conservation area	651	616	35	94.6%
Discharging planning conditions	522	502	20	96.2%
Phone masts and telecoms	207	124	83	59.9%
Protected tree works (TPO)	184	162	22	88.0%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	135	116	19	85.9%
Advertisement Consent	73	54	19	74.0%
Relaxation/Modification	69	55	14	79.7%
Class A Part 1	48	34	14	70.8%
Consultation Adjoining Authority	37	32	5	86.5%
Listed Building Consent	28	25	3	89.3%
Class A Part 16	22	9	13	40.9%
Other*	129	96	33	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Class MA Part 3 (17), Demolition Consent (15), Class J Part 14 (14), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (12), Consultation (County Matters) (11), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (8), Outline Planning (7), Notification (6), Prior Approval Other (6), Determined by County (6), Agricultural Prior Approval (5), Screen (4), Modification & Discharge of Obligation (4), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (3), Class AA Part 1 (3), Planning in Principle (2), Demolition (2), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (1), Minerals and waste (1), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (1), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (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	98	89	90.8%
Q4 2023	272	230	84.6%
Q1 2024	278	239	86.0%
Q2 2024	273	237	86.8%
Q3 2024	278	241	86.7%
Q4 2024	357	318	89.1%
Q1 2025	284	234	82.4%
Q2 2025	377	343	91.0%
Q3 2025	395	353	89.4%
Q4 2025	316	274	86.7%
Q1 2026	247	220	89.1%
Q2 2026	196	183	93.4%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 288 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 78.5% in Frimley to 95.3% in Mytchett & Deepcut, a gap of 16.8 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Windlesham & Chobham	607	520	87	85.7%
Mytchett & Deepcut	405	386	19	95.3%
Bisley & West End	390	317	73	81.3%
Heatherside	282	250	32	88.7%
Lightwater	248	211	37	85.1%
St Pauls	241	210	31	87.1%
Town	229	184	45	80.3%
Parkside	224	196	28	87.5%
Frimley	209	164	45	78.5%
Bagshot	178	160	18	89.9%
Frimley Green	168	150	18	89.3%
Watchetts	151	133	18	88.1%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Surrey Heath?

In the last 12 months, 86.7% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Surrey Heath, based on 241 decided applications. Across all application types, 86.4% of 3,661 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Surrey Heath?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Surrey Heath in the last 12 months was 56 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Surrey Heath?

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 Surrey Heath?

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 Surrey Heath are coming soon. Look up an address now to see its constraints, and join the waitlist.

Look up a property in Surrey Heath See a sample report