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Planning permission in Test Valley

In the last 12 months, 96.6% of home project applications were approved in Test Valley (117 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 54 days).

Across all application types, 92.5% of 2,852 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Test Valley's public planning register. Data last updated: 16 August 2026.

4,337Total applications
2,852Decided
92.5%Approval rate (of decided)
2,638 Approved+214 Refused+318 Withdrawn+459 Pending+708 Outcome not determined=4,337 Total
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By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 1,222 1,114 108
91.2%
Tree works in a conservation area 546 545 1
99.8%
Protected tree works (TPO) 392 356 36
90.8%
Listed Building Consent 189 179 10
94.7%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 119 113 6
95.0%
Changing a planning condition (S73) 96 93 3
96.9%
Advertisement Consent 47 47 0 no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 40 37 3
92.5%
Prior approval (permitted development) 35 28 7
80.0%
Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) 28 22 6
78.6%
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 23 22 1
95.7%
Other* 115 82 33 mixed types

Advertisement Consent: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Conservation Area Consent (14), Outline Planning (12), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (9), Minerals and waste (9), Environmental impact screening and scoping (9), RENEWABLE ENERGY CLASS J - NORTH (6), APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT - SOUTH (5), PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT CLASS R - NORTH (5), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (5), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (4), APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT - NORTH (4), Demolition (4), HCC REGULATION 3 APPLICATION - NORTH (4), RENEWABLE ENERGY CLASS J - SOUTH (4), OVERHEAD ELECTRICITY LINE - SOUTH (3), Not Available (2), HCC REGULATION 3 APPLICATION - SOUTH (2), Discharging planning conditions (2), PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT CLASS R - SOUTH (2), Hedgerow Removal (2), OVERHEAD ELECTRICITY LINE - NORTH (2), PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT CLASS T - SOUTH (1), null (1), DEAD AND DANGEROUS CONSERVATION AREA (1), PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT CLASS M - NORTH (1), Phone masts and telecoms (1), PERMISSION IN PRINCIPLE - NORTH (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 96 86
89.6%
Q4 2023 221 203
91.9%
Q1 2024 243 223
91.8%
Q2 2024 223 201
90.1%
Q3 2024 228 208
91.2%
Q4 2024 223 205
91.9%
Q1 2025 235 219
93.2%
Q2 2025 243 229
94.2%
Q3 2025 238 220
92.4%
Q4 2025 238 220
92.4%
Q1 2026 217 204
94.0%
Q2 2026 43 41
95.3%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 4 4 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 216 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 85.8% in BLACKWATER to 94.9% in HAREWOOD, a gap of 9.1 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
MID TEST 587 544 43
92.7%
ANNA 296 279 17
94.3%
CHILWORTH, NURSLING & ROWNHAMS 224 205 19
91.5%
BLACKWATER 219 188 31
85.8%
HAREWOOD 196 186 10
94.9%
ROMSEY ABBEY 152 142 10
93.4%
AMPFIELD & BRAISHFIELD 146 138 8
94.5%
NORTH BADDESLEY 132 121 11
91.7%
BOURNE VALLEY 130 117 13
90.0%
ROMSEY CUPERNHAM 110 102 8
92.7%
BELLINGER 107 100 7
93.5%
ANDOVER WINTON 83 74 9
89.2%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Test Valley?
In the last 12 months, 96.6% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Test Valley, based on 117 decided applications. Across all application types, 92.5% of 2,852 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Test Valley?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Test Valley in the last 12 months was 54 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Test Valley?
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 Test Valley?
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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