Planning permission in Waverley

In the last 12 months, 91.9% of home project applications were approved in Waverley (546 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 65 days).

Across all application types, 87.3% of 6,143 applications decided since April 2023 were approved. Based on Waverley's public planning register. Data last updated: 13 May 2026.

6,911Total applications

6,143Decided

87.3%Approval rate (of decided)

5,362 Approved+781 Refused+256 Withdrawn+502 Pending+10 Outcome not determined=6,911 Total

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Decision Level

6,856Delegated

55Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	2,243	2,034	209	90.7%
Full planning applications	788	611	177	77.5%
Protected tree works (TPO)	705	693	12	98.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	590	465	125	78.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	452	378	74	83.6%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	337	314	23	93.2%
LB ALTERATIONS AND EXTENSIONS	248	224	24	90.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	128	107	21	83.6%
Advertisement Consent	86	80	6	93.0%
PRA PART 1 CLASS A	75	55	20	73.3%
CONSULTATION BY NEIGHBOURING AUTHORITY	51	48	3	94.1%
Minerals and waste	48	48	0	no refusals recorded
Environmental impact screening and scoping	47	47	0	no refusals recorded
PRA AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT	43	31	12	72.1%
Listed Building Consent	40	38	2	95.0%
Outline Planning	36	14	22	38.9%
Full Planning (Major)	34	23	11	67.6%
Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA)	33	27	6	81.8%
PERMISSION IN PRINCIPLE	24	10	14	41.7%
Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q)	22	11	11	50.0%
Other*	113	104	9	mixed types

Minerals and waste: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Environmental impact screening and scoping: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Demolition (15), SCC REG 3 OR 4 CONSULTATION (15), OVERHEAD LINE (14), S106 LEGAL MODIFY OR DISCHARGE (11), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (9), PRA SCH 2 PART 3 CLASS G (6), WBC REG 3/4 (6), PRA SCH 2 PART 14 CLASS J (6), PRA PART 3 CLASS R (150SQM OR MORE) (4), HABITATS REGULATIONS ASSESSMENT (4), MOD OR DISCHARGE S52 OR 106 UNDER 5YRS (3), PRN AGRI TO FLEX COMM UNDER 150SQM (2), MINOR COMM SHOPFRONTS OR FENESTRATION (2), Phone masts and telecoms (2), FOOTPATH DIVERSION (2), TECHNICAL DETAIL CONSENT (2), PRA COMM OR MIXED USE TO DWELLINGS (2), CONSULTATION ON A COUNTY MATTER (2), REQUEST FOR SCREENING OPINION-DETERMINED (1), WBC REG 3/4 MAJOR (1), PRA MICROGENERATION COMMERCIAL BUILDING (1), PRA UNDER GDPO PART 11 (NOW PART 18) (1), Hedgerow Removal (1), WBC VARY OR REMOVE CONDITIONS REG 3/4 (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	192	166	86.5%
Q4 2023	612	543	88.7%
Q1 2024	553	475	85.9%
Q2 2024	561	500	89.1%
Q3 2024	576	511	88.7%
Q4 2024	608	503	82.7%
Q1 2025	472	420	89.0%
Q2 2025	529	462	87.3%
Q3 2025	552	479	86.8%
Q4 2025	546	477	87.4%
Q1 2026	490	439	89.6%
Q2 2026	136	119	87.5%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 555 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 80.4% in Frensham, Dockenfield and Tilford to 95.5% in Godalming Holloway, a gap of 15.1 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Haslemere East and Grayswood	364	320	44	87.9%
Farnham Castle	349	307	42	88.0%
Chiddingfold	348	295	53	84.8%
Farnham Bourne	331	294	37	88.8%
Frensham, Dockenfield and Tilford	322	259	63	80.4%
Bramley, Busbridge and Hascombe	247	202	45	81.8%
Farnham Moor Park	240	214	26	89.2%
Elstead and Thursley	224	192	32	85.7%
Cranleigh West	218	189	29	86.7%
Cranleigh East	201	190	11	94.5%
Farnham Wrecclesham and Rowledge	200	170	30	85.0%
Godalming Holloway	199	190	9	95.5%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Waverley?

In the last 12 months, 91.9% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Waverley, based on 546 decided applications. Across all application types, 87.3% of 6,143 applications decided since April 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Waverley?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Waverley in the last 12 months was 65 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Waverley?

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 Waverley?

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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