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?

Horndean Kings & Blendworth 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 Horndean Kings & Blendworth Ward. Your postcode significantly affects outcomes.

South Downs Planning Approval Rates by Ward: 60 Wards Compared (2026)

All 60 wards ranked

#	Ward	Decisions	Approved	Refused	Rate
1	Seaford West Ward	11	11	0	100.0%
2	Barcombe And Hamsey Ward	20	20	0	100.0%
3	Seaford East Ward	10	10	0	100.0%
4	Rottingdean Coastal Ward	15	15	0	100.0%
5	St. Michael Ward	11	11	0	100.0%
6	The Worthys Ward	24	24	0	100.0%
7	Ouse Valley And Ringmer Ward	131	130	1	99.2%
8	Alresford & Itchen Valley Ward	299	296	3	99.0%
9	Walberton Ward	94	93	1	98.9%
10	Plumpton Streat E.Chiltington St John W	85	84	1	98.8%
11	Upper Meon Valley Ward	632	624	8	98.7%
12	Alfriston Ward	121	119	2	98.3%
13	Four Marks & Medstead Ward	51	50	1	98.0%
14	Storrington and Washington Ward	97	95	2	97.9%
15	Willingdon Ward	44	43	1	97.7%
16	Colden Common And Twyford Ward	240	234	6	97.5%
17	Central Meon Valley Ward	380	370	10	97.4%
18	Ropley, Hawkley & Hangers Ward	171	165	6	96.5%
19	Bishops Waltham Ward ED	80	77	3	96.2%
20	Pulborough, Coldwatham and Amberley	199	191	8	96.0%
21	Petersfield Bell Hill Ward	125	119	6	95.2%
22	Liss Ward	391	371	20	94.9%
23	Petersfield St Peter's Ward	330	313	17	94.8%
24	Arundel Ward	185	175	10	94.6%
25	East Dean Ward	280	264	16	94.3%
26	Binsted, Bentley & Selborne Ward	382	360	22	94.2%
27	Harting Ward CH	472	444	28	94.1%
28	Petersfield Heath Ward	116	109	7	94.0%
29	Petersfield Causeway Ward	83	78	5	94.0%
30	Manor Ward	16	15	1	93.8%
31	Buriton & East Meon Ward	297	278	19	93.6%
32	Ditchling And Westmeston Ward	329	307	22	93.3%
33	Findon Ward	165	154	11	93.3%
34	Froxfield, Sheet & Steep Ward	291	271	20	93.1%
35	Angmering and Findon Ward	84	78	6	92.9%
36	Goodwood Ward CH	194	180	14	92.8%
37	Midhurst Ward CH	443	410	33	92.6%
38	Hollingdean And Stanmer Ward	27	25	2	92.6%
39	Hurstpierpoint Ward	125	115	10	92.0%
40	Fittleworth Ward CH	551	505	46	91.7%
41	Loxwood Ward CH	164	150	14	91.5%
42	Lewes Priory Ward	494	450	44	91.1%
43	Westbourne Ward CH	177	160	17	90.4%
44	Easebourne Ward CH	341	308	33	90.3%
45	Lewes Castle Ward	330	297	33	90.0%
46	Lewes Bridge Ward	341	306	35	89.7%
47	Lavant Ward CH	307	275	32	89.6%
48	Whitehill Hogmoor & Greatham Ward	77	69	8	89.6%
49	Kingston Ward	291	259	32	89.0%
50	Petworth Ward CH	348	309	39	88.8%
51	Fernhurst Ward CH	540	478	62	88.5%
52	Downland Parishes Ward	34	30	4	88.2%
53	Bramber Upper Beeding Woodmancote Ward	98	86	12	87.8%
54	Steyning and Ashurst	16	14	2	87.5%
55	Rowlands Castle Ward	21	18	3	85.7%
56	Hassocks Ward	40	34	6	85.0%
57	Clanfield Ward	38	32	6	84.2%
58	Newhaven Valley Ward	11	9	2	81.8%
59	Buckingham Ward	13	10	3	76.9%
60	Horndean Kings & Blendworth 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 Horndean Kings & Blendworth 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 60 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