Which ward in South Downs has the highest planning approval rate?

Seaford West Ward at 100.0% based on 11 decisions.

Which ward in South Downs has the lowest planning approval rate?

Buckingham Ward at 72.7% based on 11 decisions.

How much do planning approval rates vary across South Downs?

There is a 27.3% gap between Seaford West Ward and Buckingham Ward. Your postcode significantly affects outcomes.

South Downs Planning Approval Rates by Ward: 59 Wards Compared (2026)

All 59 wards ranked

#	Ward	Decisions	Approved	Refused	Rate
1	Seaford West Ward	11	11	0	100.0%
2	Barcombe And Hamsey Ward	18	18	0	100.0%
3	Rottingdean Coastal Ward	14	14	0	100.0%
4	St. Michael Ward	10	10	0	100.0%
5	The Worthys Ward	22	22	0	100.0%
6	Ouse Valley And Ringmer Ward	124	123	1	99.2%
7	Alresford & Itchen Valley Ward	286	283	3	99.0%
8	Walberton Ward	94	93	1	98.9%
9	Plumpton Streat E.Chiltington St John W	80	79	1	98.8%
10	Upper Meon Valley Ward	605	597	8	98.7%
11	Alfriston Ward	119	117	2	98.3%
12	Four Marks & Medstead Ward	49	48	1	98.0%
13	Storrington and Washington Ward	94	92	2	97.9%
14	Willingdon Ward	43	42	1	97.7%
15	Central Meon Valley Ward	360	351	9	97.5%
16	Colden Common And Twyford Ward	225	219	6	97.3%
17	Ropley, Hawkley & Hangers Ward	166	160	6	96.4%
18	Petersfield Causeway Ward	79	76	3	96.2%
19	Bishops Waltham Ward ED	73	70	3	95.9%
20	Petersfield Bell Hill Ward	118	113	5	95.8%
21	Pulborough, Coldwatham and Amberley	183	175	8	95.6%
22	Liss Ward	378	359	19	95.0%
23	Petersfield St Peter's Ward	319	302	17	94.7%
24	East Dean Ward	258	244	14	94.6%
25	Binsted, Bentley & Selborne Ward	360	339	21	94.2%
26	Harting Ward CH	442	416	26	94.1%
27	Arundel Ward	168	158	10	94.0%
28	Petersfield Heath Ward	113	106	7	93.8%
29	Ditchling And Westmeston Ward	316	295	21	93.4%
30	Buriton & East Meon Ward	283	264	19	93.3%
31	Manor Ward	15	14	1	93.3%
32	Findon Ward	165	154	11	93.3%
33	Angmering and Findon Ward	74	69	5	93.2%
34	Downland Parishes Ward	29	27	2	93.1%
35	Midhurst Ward CH	424	393	31	92.7%
36	Froxfield, Sheet & Steep Ward	272	252	20	92.6%
37	Hollingdean And Stanmer Ward	26	24	2	92.3%
38	Fittleworth Ward CH	514	474	40	92.2%
39	Goodwood Ward CH	173	159	14	91.9%
40	Hurstpierpoint Ward	124	114	10	91.9%
41	Lewes Priory Ward	463	422	41	91.1%
42	Easebourne Ward CH	321	292	29	91.0%
43	Whitehill Hogmoor & Greatham Ward	75	68	7	90.7%
44	Loxwood Ward CH	146	132	14	90.4%
45	Lewes Castle Ward	319	288	31	90.3%
46	Westbourne Ward CH	167	150	17	89.8%
47	Lewes Bridge Ward	309	277	32	89.6%
48	Lavant Ward CH	292	261	31	89.4%
49	Petworth Ward CH	325	289	36	88.9%
50	Kingston Ward	278	247	31	88.8%
51	Fernhurst Ward CH	511	453	58	88.6%
52	Bramber Upper Beeding Woodmancote Ward	94	82	12	87.2%
53	Steyning and Ashurst	15	13	2	86.7%
54	Hassocks Ward	40	34	6	85.0%
55	Rowlands Castle Ward	20	17	3	85.0%
56	Clanfield Ward	37	31	6	83.8%
57	Newhaven Valley Ward	11	9	2	81.8%
58	Horndean Kings & Blendworth Ward	11	8	3	72.7%
59	Buckingham Ward	11	8	3	72.7%

See how this applies to your postcode →

What the data tells us

1

A 27.3% gap separates the best and worst wards. Seaford West Ward approves 100.0% of applications while Buckingham Ward approves just 72.7%. That's a fundamentally different planning environment.

2

High volume doesn't mean high approval. Some of the busiest wards aren't the most permissive. The number of applications a ward processes tells you nothing about how likely yours is to succeed.

3

Ward averages are a starting point, not a guarantee. Your specific outcome depends on your property, your neighbours, your proposal type and the comparable decisions near your address.

Planning Approval Rates by Ward in South Downs

Check Planning Approval Patterns in South Downs

All 59 wards ranked

These are council averages. Your property is specific.

What the data tells us

Before you spend £5,000+ on architects and drawings

More South Downs planning data

Nearby councils ward breakdowns