Sevenoaks planning approval rate
Sevenoaks council approved 86.8% of planning applications and refused 13.2%, based on 12,687 decisions analysed. Ranked 57th out of 221 councils for strictness.
Last updated: March 2026 · Based on decisions from January 2020 to present
86.8%
overall approval rate
Planning in Sevenoaks?
Check your postcode to see approval rates specific to your ward and street.
Approval rate by application type
Different application types have different approval rates in Sevenoaks. Householder and full planning applications typically have the highest volume.
Approval rate by project type
These rates are based on what homeowners are actually building in Sevenoaks — mined from 12,687 proposal descriptions.
Approval rate by ward
Planning outcomes vary significantly by ward within Sevenoaks. Click any ward for detailed statistics.
Seal & Weald (1,083 decided)
88.9%
Sevenoaks Town & St Johns (1,064 decided)
90.2%
Brasted, Chevening And Sundridge (1,051 decided)
88.0%
Sevenoaks Kippington (818 decided)
92.8%
Otford & Shoreham (684 decided)
87.6%
Fawkham & West Kingsdown (657 decided)
79.5%
Halstead, Knockholt & Badgers Mount (625 decided)
78.7%
Westerham & Crockham Hill (589 decided)
83.2%
Penshurst, Fordcombe & Chiddingstone (535 decided)
87.3%
Hartley & Hodsoll Street (472 decided)
80.1%
Cowden & Hever (456 decided)
86.8%
Kemsing (434 decided)
87.8%
Farningham, Horton Kirby & South Darenth (429 decided)
81.6%
Sevenoaks Eastern (415 decided)
92.5%
Leigh & Chiddingstone Causeway (405 decided)
90.6%
Dunton Green & Riverhead (404 decided)
92.1%
Edenbridge North & East (359 decided)
85.8%
Edenbridge South & West (313 decided)
85.3%
Swanley Christchurch & Swanley Village (302 decided)
86.8%
Swanley White Oak (285 decided)
83.5%
Wards in Sevenoaks
Recent comparable decisions
The most recent residential planning decisions in Sevenoaks, showing how the council decides real applications.
Erection of Hay Store and Agricultural Machinery Store · Westerham & Crockham Hill · Mon 22 Jan 2024
3m rear extension. · Sevenoaks Kippington · Fri 22 Dec 2023
Install secondary glazing to existing windows · Cowden & Hever · Fri 22 Dec 2023
Showing 3 of 200 comparable decisions. See all 200 in the Pro Report →
What gets approved near your property?
In Sevenoaks, 1 in 8 applications are refused. Your PlanningLens Pro Report gives you 17 pages of intelligence specific to your property:
✓ Ward-level approval rates for your exact area
✓ Common refusal reasons in Sevenoaks
✓ Your 10 nearest comparable planning decisions
✓ Appeal success rates
✓ PDF report to share with your architect
Get Sevenoaks Pro Report — £79
Less than one set of revised drawings. Based on 12,687 decisions.
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