South Downs planning approval rate
South Downs council approved 93.2% of planning applications and refused 6.8%, based on 10,511 decisions analysed. Ranked 155th out of 221 councils for strictness.
Last updated: March 2026 · Based on decisions from January 2020 to present
93.2%
overall approval rate
Planning in South Downs?
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 South Downs. 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 South Downs — mined from 10,511 proposal descriptions.
Approval rate by ward
Planning outcomes vary significantly by ward within South Downs. Click any ward for detailed statistics.
Upper Meon Valley Ward (573 decided)
98.6%
Fittleworth Ward CH (493 decided)
92.1%
Fernhurst Ward CH (492 decided)
88.6%
Lewes Priory Ward (444 decided)
90.8%
Harting Ward CH (429 decided)
94.2%
Midhurst Ward CH (409 decided)
92.9%
Liss Ward (367 decided)
95.1%
Binsted, Bentley & Selborne Ward (351 decided)
94.0%
Central Meon Valley Ward (338 decided)
97.3%
Easebourne Ward CH (308 decided)
90.9%
Lewes Castle Ward (307 decided)
90.2%
Petersfield St Peter's Ward (304 decided)
95.1%
Lewes Bridge Ward (302 decided)
89.4%
Petworth Ward CH (300 decided)
88.3%
Ditchling And Westmeston Ward (299 decided)
93.0%
Lavant Ward CH (280 decided)
89.6%
Alresford & Itchen Valley Ward (279 decided)
99.3%
Buriton & East Meon Ward (269 decided)
92.9%
Froxfield, Sheet & Steep Ward (263 decided)
92.8%
Kingston Ward (249 decided)
89.2%
Wards in South Downs
Recent comparable decisions
The most recent residential planning decisions in South Downs, showing how the council decides real applications.
Replacement of roof, installation of two conservation rooflights and amendments · Ditchling And Westmeston Ward · Wed 04 Mar 2026
Retrospective application for the replacement of ground floor windows, doors, re · Liss Ward · Tue 03 Mar 2026
Rear conservatory, front and rear dormer windows to main dwelling and main exten · Fittleworth Ward CH · Tue 03 Mar 2026
Showing 3 of 200 comparable decisions. See all 200 in the Pro Report →
What gets approved near your property?
In South Downs, 1 in 15 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 South Downs
✓ Your 10 nearest comparable planning decisions
✓ Appeal success rates
✓ PDF report to share with your architect
Get South Downs Pro Report — £79
Less than one set of revised drawings. Based on 10,511 decisions.
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