Data-driven analysis from 2,500,000+ real UK planning decisions across 226+ councils.
Every council in our dataset ranked from highest to lowest approval rate. Fareham tops the table at 99.1%. East Hertfordshire sits at the bottom at 73.2%. Sortable, searchable, with 2,526,304 real decisions behind the numbers.
See the full rankings →Permitted development explained with real data. We analysed over 2 million planning decisions to show what UK homeowners actually build without permission — and what happens when you do need it.
Read article →We analysed 20,106 front extension decisions. 83% approved. 17% refused. We explain exactly why front extensions face higher scrutiny — and what designs actually get the green light.
Read article →When you need permission, when you don't, and what 146,320 real loft conversion decisions tell us about what gets approved. No jargon, just the rules and the data.
Read article →The rules for smaller projects — explained simply, with real approval data from 133,000+ decisions. Porches, garages, carports, and garage conversions covered.
Read article →Before you design, before you apply, before you spend a penny — check what your neighbours built and whether it was approved. 4 methods compared, from free to detailed.
Read article →Side extensions face tougher scrutiny than rear extensions — they're visible from the street and assessed for streetscape impact. We break down the real approval rates from 2,500,000+ decisions.
Read article →Change of use applications have some of the highest refusal rates in UK planning. We break down what gets approved, the use class system, and which conversions are riskiest.
Read article →Rear dormers are usually permitted development. Front dormers are a different story — and your council's attitude matters enormously. The rules, the data, and what gets approved.
Read article →8 data-backed strategies from analysing 2,500,000+ real decisions. From checking local precedent to choosing the right project type — what actually moves the needle.
Read article →Approval rates vary by up to 20 percentage points between wards in the same council. Your postcode changes your odds more than most people realise.
Read article →Refusal rates are 2-3x higher in conservation areas. We explain what changes, what still gets approved, and how to improve your chances with real data from 226 councils.
Read article →Different fees, different permitted development rules, different approval rates. Everything homeowners need to know about how Scotland's planning system compares to England's.
Read article →Appeal overturn rates vary from under 15% to over 50% depending on your council. We analysed the data so you can make a smarter decision about whether to appeal or redesign.
Read article →Glamping pods, safari tents, shepherd's huts, yurts and treehouses — the rules are murkier than you'd think. We cover every structure type, the 28-day rule, and what the data shows about approval rates.
Read article →Garden offices, studios and outbuildings are booming. But the planning rules are widely misunderstood. Here's what you actually need to know — including the permitted development limits and common mistakes.
Read article →The government says 8 weeks. Reality is often very different. We break down real timelines, the biggest causes of delay, and how to avoid them.
Read article →Enforcement notices, demolition orders, and the 4-year rule. Here's what councils can actually do — and what your options are if you've already built.
Read article →Green Belt rules are the strictest in UK planning. But "strict" doesn't mean "impossible." We explain the exceptions and what actually gets approved.
Read article →Paving your front garden seems simple. But the rules changed in 2008 — and getting it wrong can mean enforcement action. Permeable vs impermeable explained.
Read article →Listed buildings play by different rules — and getting it wrong is a criminal offence. Here's what needs consent, what doesn't, and how to avoid refusal.
Read article →Many rear extensions don't need permission at all. But when you do need it, the odds vary more than you'd expect. We explain the rules and what the data shows.
Read article →Two separate systems, two separate approvals. Most homeowners confuse them. We explain which you need, when each applies, and the order of operations.
Read article →The application fee is £258. But architect drawings, surveys, and consultants push the real cost past £5,000. We break down every cost — and how to avoid wasting money.
Read article →Neighbour objections are every homeowner's worry. But they can't veto your application. We explain how objections actually work — and when they matter.
Read article →The national approval rate is 86.7% — but your council could be 25 points higher or lower. We break down the real numbers by project type, council, and ward.
Read article →Rear extensions are the UK's most popular home improvement. We reveal which councils approve them most, what gets them refused, and how to check your area.
Read article →28,968 loft conversion decisions analysed across 85 councils. Redbridge approves 100%. Tower Hamlets approves 68%. The gap is 32 percentage points.
Read article →Everyone assumes going higher means harder planning. Our data from 2,500,000+ decisions confirms it — but the size of the gap might change how you approach your project.
Read article →We analysed over 2,500,000 planning decisions across 226 UK councils. Here's what the data actually says about your odds — by council, ward, and extension type.
Read article →We analysed 1,138,000+ decisions across all 33 London boroughs. Wandsworth approves 93.5%. Brent approves 76%. See every borough ranked with real data.
Read article →We ranked 226 councils by approval rate. The gap between top and bottom is over 25 percentage points.
Read article →Refusals follow clear patterns. We dug into the data to uncover which councils refuse most, what triggers a no, and how refusal rates vary by extension type and ward.
Read article →The government says 8 weeks. We measured reality across 51 councils and 700,000+ decisions. The fastest decides in 39 days. The slowest takes 101.
Read article →We ranked every application type by refusal rate. Flat conversions are refused 1 in 4 times. Conservatories almost never. The full ranking from our 2,500,000+ decision dataset.
Read article →Rear extensions dominate with 186,000+ decisions. But the full picture is more varied than you'd expect. Every application type ranked by volume with approval rates.
Read article →Check Your Postcode
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