Planning Authority Rankings

Compare UK councils by planning approval rate, decision speed and deadline extensions. Search your council and see how it ranks.

Rank Council Score Approval rate Decided in 8 weeks Deadline extensions Decisions
1 Fareham 95↓2 98% 89% 22% 583
2 Lincoln 92↓11 93% 79% 24% 336
3 Medway 92- 91% 94% 19% 999
4 Arun 89↑6 86% 99% 12% 794
5 Bexley 89↓4 90% 89% 20% 1,324
6 Chichester 89↓5 89% 93% 18% 935
7 Isle of Wight 89↑2 92% 92% 15% 792
8 North Tyneside 89- 97% 81% 25% 616
9 Rushmoor 89↓5 95% 86% 26% 257
10 Stevenage 88- 96% 81% 16% 253
11 Cheltenham 87- 97% 76% 28% 927
12 Redditch 87↓2 95% 76% 24% 160
13 Tunbridge Wells 87↓2 93% 84% 25% 1,178
14 Breckland 86↑4 84% 81% 34% 801
15 Norwich 86↑5 96% 76% 22% 538
16 Broxtowe 84- 94% 78% 29% 479
17 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 84- 89% 87% 27% 1,216
18 Cambridge 83- 90% 86% 26% 1,014
19 Gosport 83- 94% 76% 30% 226
20 Bolsover 82↑5 96% 77% 35% 286
21 North York Moors National Park 82- 96% 74% 21% 427
22 St. Helens 82- 95% 80% 33% 499
23 Sutton 82↓2 90% 91% 13% 891
24 East Riding of Yorkshire 81- 90% 95% 14% 1,887
25 South Cambridgeshire 81- 94% 84% 31% 1,509
26 Halton 80↑5 95% 77% 37% 239
27 Stockport 80- 95% 79% 32% 1,318
28 Cornwall 79- 92% 76% 35% 4,839
29 New Forest 78↓2 90% 80% 35% 885
30 South Ribble 78↑9 95% 75% 36% 389
31 Telford and Wrekin 78- 91% 96% 12% 571
32 Test Valley 78↑2 93% 76% 31% 996
33 Mid Suffolk 77↑2 89% 77% 34% 882
34 Cannock Chase 77↑2 91% 82% 30% 242
35 Coventry 77↓5 84% 91% 13% 1,131
36 Doncaster 77↑4 87% 83% 33% 928
37 Swindon 77- 90% 92% 15% 866
38 Ipswich 76↑3 94% 76% 38% 429
39 South Oxfordshire 76↓2 94% 74% 35% 1,529
40 Torridge 76↑3 87% 78% 38% 554
41 Bury 75↓8 86% 76% 32% 757
42 Chorley 75↑2 93% 78% 35% 553
43 Darlington 75- 90% 67% 33% 465
44 Dorset 75- 92% 78% 35% 2,781
45 Chelmsford 74↓2 87% 84% 21% 1,304
46 Dover 74↓2 88% 83% 31% 772
47 Epsom and Ewell 74↓12 83% 90% 14% 639
48 Erewash 74↓4 93% 62% 28% 390
49 Folkestone and Hythe 74- 82% 96% 12% 761
50 Amber Valley 73↑2 96% 75% 41% 657
51 Dacorum 73↓5 88% 78% 22% 1,130
52 Reigate and Banstead 73- 88% 76% 26% 981
53 Shropshire 73- 87% 78% 29% 2,083
54 Three Rivers 73↓4 89% 82% 24% 819
55 Blackburn with Darwen 72↑5 96% 73% 40% 519
56 Castle Point 71↑20 78% 96% 10% 385
57 Lichfield 71↑8 82% 97% 10% 716
58 Maidstone 71↑4 84% 81% 30% 1,110
59 Milton Keynes 71↑5 88% 78% 28% 1,088
60 West Oxfordshire 71- 95% 75% 38% 1,125
61 Braintree 70- 86% 78% 33% 927
62 Lewes 70↓12 89% 69% 25% 394
63 Plymouth 70↑4 93% 74% 32% 680
64 Southwark 70- 92% 78% 37% 1,622
65 Enfield 69↓4 78% 90% 5% 1,939
66 North Hertfordshire 69↓5 93% 69% 32% 1,102
67 Eastleigh 68↑2 90% 73% 27% 547
68 Manchester 68↑2 87% 65% 31% 1,924
69 Redcar and Cleveland 68↓3 96% 62% 30% 418
70 Tendring 68- 85% 80% 26% 837
71 City of London 67- 97% 100% 84% 460
72 East Devon 67↓2 88% 72% 34% 1,321
73 Wokingham 67- 94% 72% 36% 1,142
74 Wolverhampton 67- 89% 73% 34% 817
75 Horsham 66↑4 92% 72% 43% 1,319
76 Kingston upon Thames 65- 75% 81% 20% 1,112
77 Mid Devon 65- 95% 75% 40% 704
78 Newcastle-under-Lyme 65↓6 93% 68% 41% 485
79 North Kesteven 65- 97% 71% 45% 631
80 Wyre Forest 65- 93% 68% 35% 427
81 Barking and Dagenham 64- 64% 93% 16% 725
82 Eastbourne 64↓17 86% 62% 30% 325
83 North Somerset 64↑3 89% 73% 34% 1,139
84 Sefton 64↓4 93% 71% 39% 1,029
85 Tameside 64↓5 86% 77% 39% 561
86 Wychavon 64↑2 86% 88% 36% 1,082
87 Bromsgrove 63- 94% 63% 38% 476
88 Central Bedfordshire 63- 84% 76% 35% 1,444
89 South Hams 63↑7 90% 73% 32% 1,018
90 Barnet 62↓4 75% 79% 25% 2,541
91 Colchester 62↑9 82% 79% 27% 1,074
92 Preston 62- 92% 71% 46% 653
93 Rutland 62↑2 89% 74% 34% 520
94 Sunderland 62↓6 91% 73% 37% 581
95 Uttlesford 62↓3 77% 82% 25% 1,247
96 Watford 62- 79% 80% 21% 526
97 East Cambridgeshire 61↑2 86% 76% 34% 697
98 Fenland 61↓3 87% 77% 42% 604
99 North Devon 61- 94% 67% 45% 939
100 Somerset 61↓7 88% 74% 39% 3,740
101 South Derbyshire 61↓3 94% 61% 38% 605
102 Teignbridge 61↓5 80% 80% 26% 716
103 Adur 60↑2 93% 60% 38% 298
104 Thurrock 60- 82% 84% 31% 671
105 Ashford 59- 88% 75% 40% 991
106 South Norfolk 59↓2 93% 67% 42% 1,013
107 Northumberland National Park 59↓17 90% 75% 38% 39
108 South Tyneside 59↓17 92% 64% 44% 396
109 Bristol, City of 58↑2 86% 71% 37% 2,098
110 Derbyshire Dales 58↓7 89% 70% 38% 486
111 Lewisham 58- 84% 69% 31% 1,303
112 Stockton-on-Tees 58↓8 93% 61% 40% 612
113 Brent 57↓5 78% 73% 28% 1,963
114 Forest of Dean 57- 92% 64% 49% 561
115 Sevenoaks 56↑3 87% 72% 34% 1,130
116 Waltham Forest 56↑7 76% 75% 22% 1,391
117 Worcester 56↑11 85% 76% 38% 427
118 Ashfield 55↓5 84% 74% 34% 425
119 Gedling 55↑7 94% 62% 42% 415
120 Malvern Hills 55↓3 82% 79% 37% 744
121 Stratford-on-Avon 55- 92% 67% 42% 1,257
122 Warrington 55- 79% 76% 29% 883
123 Greenwich 54↓2 77% 75% 29% 1,468
124 Mansfield 54- 96% 65% 50% 312
125 North Norfolk 54- 94% 61% 44% 906
126 Stroud 54↑5 87% 73% 39% 964
127 West Devon 54↑12 87% 62% 34% 367
128 Dudley 53↓9 82% 70% 33% 780
129 East Suffolk 53- 92% 60% 42% 1,965
130 Fylde 53- 96% 60% 49% 422
131 Leeds 53↓6 83% 73% 33% 3,681
132 North East Lincolnshire 53↓2 95% 64% 52% 467
133 Waverley 53- 88% 66% 38% 1,378
134 West Lindsey 53- 93% 72% 44% 562
135 Windsor and Maidenhead 53↑11 72% 75% 28% 1,530
136 Charnwood 52↓3 87% 72% 36% 872
137 County Durham 52↓3 93% 59% 48% 1,706
138 Nuneaton and Bedworth 52- 95% 62% 48% 306
139 Peterborough 52- 83% 67% 33% 665
140 Runnymede 52↓3 83% 72% 36% 661
141 Solihull 52- 94% 65% 41% 1,118
142 Trafford 52↓3 87% 71% 34% 1,430
143 Basingstoke and Deane 51↑2 92% 59% 46% 1,076
144 Kensington and Chelsea 51↓4 93% 61% 40% 1,839
145 Burnley 50- 88% 71% 40% 294
146 Dartford 50↓4 79% 73% 33% 595
147 Lancaster 50- 83% 74% 38% 717
148 North Yorkshire 50- 89% 64% 44% 4,714
149 Sandwell 50↓3 86% 69% 34% 909
150 Southampton 50↓4 90% 63% 40% 742
151 Cumberland 49↓2 96% 50% 45% 1,169
152 East Hertfordshire 49↑12 81% 73% 36% 1,184
153 Harrow 49↓4 78% 71% 33% 1,330
154 Newcastle upon Tyne 49↓10 90% 56% 42% 1,005
155 Spelthorne 49↓7 81% 70% 35% 634
156 Basildon 48↑13 87% 65% 32% 806
157 Bath and North East Somerset 48↓4 95% 50% 46% 1,817
158 Canterbury 48↑3 95% 43% 44% 925
159 Knowsley 48↑8 94% 60% 45% 299
160 Liverpool 48↓2 85% 62% 39% 1,478
161 Mid Sussex 48- 92% 64% 44% 1,115
162 Oadby and Wigston 48↓2 76% 72% 32% 266
163 Surrey Heath 48↓5 87% 68% 34% 600
164 Wandsworth 48↓2 90% 62% 37% 2,062
165 Hart 47↑13 84% 71% 36% 698
166 Pendle 47↓5 87% 64% 34% 441
167 Rotherham 47↓5 79% 72% 32% 750
168 North East Derbyshire 46- 92% 62% 44% 532
169 North Lincolnshire 46- 86% 70% 44% 705
170 North West Leicestershire 46↓3 95% 55% 51% 555
171 East Lindsey 45↑2 94% 60% 47% 817
172 Epping Forest 45↑2 67% 71% 34% 1,307
173 Merton 45↑2 89% 57% 39% 1,079
174 Redbridge 45↓7 72% 69% 34% 1,673
175 Thanet 45↑2 91% 62% 45% 751
176 Vale of White Horse 45- 95% 57% 51% 1,015
177 Winchester 45↑4 93% 55% 50% 918
178 Bromley 44↑3 77% 66% 33% 2,164
179 Exmoor National Park 44↑7 96% 47% 52% 174
180 Gravesham 44↓2 75% 72% 36% 619
181 Great Yarmouth 44↓7 87% 69% 49% 366
182 Richmond upon Thames 44- 81% 69% 35% 1,888
183 Sheffield 44- 87% 61% 36% 1,756
184 Tamworth 44↑2 95% 53% 59% 150
185 Brighton and Hove 43- 90% 50% 46% 1,719
186 West Suffolk 43↑4 91% 56% 46% 1,018
187 Harborough 42↓2 89% 51% 38% 814
188 Wealden 42- 84% 69% 40% 1,361
189 Barnsley 41- 92% 45% 44% 673
190 Blaby 41↑5 92% 50% 53% 467
191 Nottingham 41↓2 89% 45% 33% 1,044
192 Haringey 40↓5 85% 55% 40% 1,469
193 Tonbridge and Malling 40↑5 95% 49% 54% 880
194 Worthing 40↓8 91% 53% 44% 573
195 Bradford 39↑2 86% 58% 40% 2,322
196 Harlow 39- 84% 67% 37% 278
197 Huntingdonshire 39↓10 88% 55% 55% 1,077
198 Newark and Sherwood 39↑5 92% 50% 54% 767
199 North Warwickshire 39↑2 93% 48% 57% 368
200 Salford 39↓2 90% 56% 53% 737
201 Tower Hamlets 39↑6 84% 56% 42% 998
202 West Berkshire 39- 90% 57% 46% 1,045
203 Wiltshire 39↓2 93% 53% 55% 3,659
204 Blackpool 38↑5 83% 72% 43% 351
205 Broxbourne 38↑5 85% 53% 48% 481
206 Hastings 38↓5 87% 67% 50% 338
207 Northumberland 38- 88% 62% 47% 2,013
208 Rushcliffe 38- 92% 51% 50% 761
209 Southend-on-Sea 38↑3 80% 64% 43% 904
210 Hammersmith and Fulham 37↓8 95% 33% 63% 1,321
211 Newham 37↑4 83% 59% 39% 989
212 Tewkesbury 37- 89% 57% 50% 689
213 York 37- 82% 64% 42% 1,278
214 Cherwell 36↓5 92% 47% 49% 1,091
215 Croydon 36↓7 75% 62% 44% 1,590
216 South Holland 36- 80% 62% 44% 607
217 Wakefield 36↓4 92% 53% 56% 1,084
218 Cotswold 35- 89% 53% 48% 1,252
219 Hillingdon 35- 85% 58% 45% 1,680
220 South Staffordshire 35↓7 85% 61% 49% 612
221 Westminster 35- 86% 44% 28% 4,602
222 Ribble Valley 34↑3 83% 55% 45% 520
223 Hartlepool 33- 93% 52% 53% 224
224 Herefordshire, County of 33- 93% 46% 60% 1,406
225 Hertsmere 33↓4 93% 49% 55% 742
226 New Forest National Park 33↓12 89% 45% 44% 487
227 Wirral 33- 88% 57% 45% 909
228 Exeter 32↓2 85% 54% 40% 582
229 Luton 32↓4 76% 60% 43% 741
230 Rochford 32↑6 79% 53% 36% 472
231 Camden 31↓4 88% 49% 41% 1,973
232 Portsmouth 31- 86% 60% 48% 613
233 Westmorland and Furness 31- 92% 51% 52% 1,204
234 Woking 31↑8 82% 54% 38% 736
235 Havant 30↓4 94% 31% 59% 408
236 Maldon 30↑5 87% 56% 53% 444
237 Islington 29↓9 89% 43% 53% 1,488
238 Hinckley and Bosworth 28↓6 88% 37% 56% 520
239 South Gloucestershire 28↑11 85% 61% 45% 1,585
240 Calderdale 27↓9 86% 58% 50% 856
241 Cheshire West and Chester 27↓3 92% 40% 68% 1,707
242 Lambeth 27↓2 78% 62% 47% 1,784
243 Rugby 27↓2 93% 38% 57% 466
244 South Kesteven 27↓2 91% 43% 60% 1,002
245 Warwick 27↑3 90% 47% 57% 915
246 East Staffordshire 26- 93% 21% 70% 601
247 Elmbridge 26↑3 77% 57% 44% 1,358
248 Kingston upon Hull, City of 26- 92% 51% 62% 436
249 Kirklees 26↓5 92% 46% 62% 1,779
250 Bolton 25↓7 79% 51% 44% 996
251 Havering 25↑9 74% 56% 47% 1,501
252 Rother 25↑3 89% 25% 71% 739
253 Bedford 24↓9 80% 56% 52% 993
254 Bracknell Forest 24↑9 89% 38% 59% 502
255 Gateshead 24↓11 89% 26% 67% 482
256 Hackney 24↓4 82% 53% 46% 1,323
257 Hyndburn 24↑10 77% 62% 50% 277
258 Reading 24↑2 84% 37% 52% 643
259 Rochdale 24- 87% 54% 52% 609
260 Slough 24↑12 78% 42% 39% 617
261 Gloucester 23↑2 78% 60% 48% 435
262 Oldham 23↑9 89% 44% 59% 821
263 Swale 23↓2 89% 37% 70% 658
264 Tandridge 23↓2 84% 51% 56% 701
265 Birmingham 22- 82% 48% 47% 3,472
266 Derby 22↓4 91% 45% 60% 944
267 Leicester 22↓5 82% 51% 48% 1,069
268 Hounslow 21↑11 71% 56% 47% 1,191
269 Melton 21↓11 93% 11% 75% 308
270 Mole Valley 21- 72% 50% 43% 913
271 Walsall 21- 84% 52% 56% 800
272 Welwyn Hatfield 21↓2 86% 53% 50% 633
273 Wigan 20↓12 85% 54% 57% 708
274 Cheshire East 19- 87% 39% 65% 2,513
275 Chesterfield 19↓7 89% 40% 56% 345
276 Torbay 19↑2 87% 37% 54% 529
277 Oxford 18↑6 88% 43% 57% 1,150
278 Stafford 18↓12 84% 26% 54% 512
279 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 17↓4 83% 44% 60% 2,244
280 West Northamptonshire 17↓2 90% 18% 79% 1,832
281 Ealing 15- 84% 41% 61% 1,973
282 East Hampshire 15- 88% 24% 72% 606
283 Stoke-on-Trent 14↑8 88% 28% 75% 475
284 Buckinghamshire 13↑2 84% 34% 55% 4,446
285 North Northamptonshire 13↑8 88% 35% 64% 1,096
286 Bassetlaw 12↓10 85% 25% 73% 575
287 High Peak 12↓13 85% 29% 73% 364
288 Wyre 12- 83% 38% 66% 539
289 Middlesbrough 11↓7 75% 38% 55% 301
290 St Albans 11- 87% 29% 64% 1,411
291 West Lancashire 11↓5 82% 41% 60% 564
292 Guildford 10- 84% 31% 64% 1,348
293 Rossendale 10↓6 86% 27% 75% 231
294 Brentwood 9↓3 83% 35% 68% 717
295 Crawley 5↑3 83% 26% 73% 218
296 Staffordshire Moorlands 4↓13 76% 36% 66% 396
#1 Fareham 95
Approval
98%
Decided in 8 weeks
89%
Extensions
22%
Decisions
583
#2 Lincoln 92
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
79%
Extensions
24%
Decisions
336
#3 Medway 92
Approval
91%
Decided in 8 weeks
94%
Extensions
19%
Decisions
999
#4 Arun 89
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
99%
Extensions
12%
Decisions
794
#5 Bexley 89
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
89%
Extensions
20%
Decisions
1,324
#6 Chichester 89
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
93%
Extensions
18%
Decisions
935
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
92%
Extensions
15%
Decisions
792
Approval
97%
Decided in 8 weeks
81%
Extensions
25%
Decisions
616
#9 Rushmoor 89
Approval
95%
Decided in 8 weeks
86%
Extensions
26%
Decisions
257
#10 Stevenage 88
Approval
96%
Decided in 8 weeks
81%
Extensions
16%
Decisions
253
#11 Cheltenham 87
Approval
97%
Decided in 8 weeks
76%
Extensions
28%
Decisions
927
#12 Redditch 87
Approval
95%
Decided in 8 weeks
76%
Extensions
24%
Decisions
160
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
84%
Extensions
25%
Decisions
1,178
#14 Breckland 86
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
81%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
801
#15 Norwich 86
Approval
96%
Decided in 8 weeks
76%
Extensions
22%
Decisions
538
#16 Broxtowe 84
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
78%
Extensions
29%
Decisions
479
#18 Cambridge 83
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
86%
Extensions
26%
Decisions
1,014
#19 Gosport 83
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
76%
Extensions
30%
Decisions
226
#20 Bolsover 82
Approval
96%
Decided in 8 weeks
77%
Extensions
35%
Decisions
286
#22 St. Helens 82
Approval
95%
Decided in 8 weeks
80%
Extensions
33%
Decisions
499
#23 Sutton 82
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
91%
Extensions
13%
Decisions
891
#26 Halton 80
Approval
95%
Decided in 8 weeks
77%
Extensions
37%
Decisions
239
#27 Stockport 80
Approval
95%
Decided in 8 weeks
79%
Extensions
32%
Decisions
1,318
#28 Cornwall 79
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
76%
Extensions
35%
Decisions
4,839
#29 New Forest 78
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
80%
Extensions
35%
Decisions
885
#30 South Ribble 78
Approval
95%
Decided in 8 weeks
75%
Extensions
36%
Decisions
389
#32 Test Valley 78
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
76%
Extensions
31%
Decisions
996
#33 Mid Suffolk 77
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
77%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
882
#34 Cannock Chase 77
Approval
91%
Decided in 8 weeks
82%
Extensions
30%
Decisions
242
#35 Coventry 77
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
91%
Extensions
13%
Decisions
1,131
#36 Doncaster 77
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
83%
Extensions
33%
Decisions
928
#37 Swindon 77
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
92%
Extensions
15%
Decisions
866
#38 Ipswich 76
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
76%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
429
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
74%
Extensions
35%
Decisions
1,529
#40 Torridge 76
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
78%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
554
#41 Bury 75
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
76%
Extensions
32%
Decisions
757
#42 Chorley 75
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
78%
Extensions
35%
Decisions
553
#43 Darlington 75
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
67%
Extensions
33%
Decisions
465
#44 Dorset 75
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
78%
Extensions
35%
Decisions
2,781
#45 Chelmsford 74
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
84%
Extensions
21%
Decisions
1,304
#46 Dover 74
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
83%
Extensions
31%
Decisions
772
Approval
83%
Decided in 8 weeks
90%
Extensions
14%
Decisions
639
#48 Erewash 74
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
28%
Decisions
390
#50 Amber Valley 73
Approval
96%
Decided in 8 weeks
75%
Extensions
41%
Decisions
657
#51 Dacorum 73
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
78%
Extensions
22%
Decisions
1,130
#53 Shropshire 73
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
78%
Extensions
29%
Decisions
2,083
#54 Three Rivers 73
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
82%
Extensions
24%
Decisions
819
#56 Castle Point 71
Approval
78%
Decided in 8 weeks
96%
Extensions
10%
Decisions
385
#57 Lichfield 71
Approval
82%
Decided in 8 weeks
97%
Extensions
10%
Decisions
716
#58 Maidstone 71
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
81%
Extensions
30%
Decisions
1,110
#59 Milton Keynes 71
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
78%
Extensions
28%
Decisions
1,088
Approval
95%
Decided in 8 weeks
75%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
1,125
#61 Braintree 70
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
78%
Extensions
33%
Decisions
927
#62 Lewes 70
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
69%
Extensions
25%
Decisions
394
#63 Plymouth 70
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
74%
Extensions
32%
Decisions
680
#64 Southwark 70
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
78%
Extensions
37%
Decisions
1,622
#65 Enfield 69
Approval
78%
Decided in 8 weeks
90%
Extensions
5%
Decisions
1,939
#67 Eastleigh 68
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
73%
Extensions
27%
Decisions
547
#68 Manchester 68
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
65%
Extensions
31%
Decisions
1,924
#70 Tendring 68
Approval
85%
Decided in 8 weeks
80%
Extensions
26%
Decisions
837
Approval
97%
Decided in 8 weeks
100%
Extensions
84%
Decisions
460
#72 East Devon 67
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
72%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
1,321
#73 Wokingham 67
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
72%
Extensions
36%
Decisions
1,142
#74 Wolverhampton 67
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
73%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
817
#75 Horsham 66
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
72%
Extensions
43%
Decisions
1,319
#77 Mid Devon 65
Approval
95%
Decided in 8 weeks
75%
Extensions
40%
Decisions
704
Approval
97%
Decided in 8 weeks
71%
Extensions
45%
Decisions
631
#80 Wyre Forest 65
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
68%
Extensions
35%
Decisions
427
#82 Eastbourne 64
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
30%
Decisions
325
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
73%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
1,139
#84 Sefton 64
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
71%
Extensions
39%
Decisions
1,029
#85 Tameside 64
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
77%
Extensions
39%
Decisions
561
#86 Wychavon 64
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
88%
Extensions
36%
Decisions
1,082
#87 Bromsgrove 63
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
63%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
476
#89 South Hams 63
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
73%
Extensions
32%
Decisions
1,018
#90 Barnet 62
Approval
75%
Decided in 8 weeks
79%
Extensions
25%
Decisions
2,541
#91 Colchester 62
Approval
82%
Decided in 8 weeks
79%
Extensions
27%
Decisions
1,074
#92 Preston 62
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
71%
Extensions
46%
Decisions
653
#93 Rutland 62
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
74%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
520
#94 Sunderland 62
Approval
91%
Decided in 8 weeks
73%
Extensions
37%
Decisions
581
#95 Uttlesford 62
Approval
77%
Decided in 8 weeks
82%
Extensions
25%
Decisions
1,247
#96 Watford 62
Approval
79%
Decided in 8 weeks
80%
Extensions
21%
Decisions
526
#98 Fenland 61
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
77%
Extensions
42%
Decisions
604
#99 North Devon 61
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
67%
Extensions
45%
Decisions
939
#100 Somerset 61
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
74%
Extensions
39%
Decisions
3,740
#101 South Derbyshire 61
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
61%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
605
#102 Teignbridge 61
Approval
80%
Decided in 8 weeks
80%
Extensions
26%
Decisions
716
#103 Adur 60
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
60%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
298
#104 Thurrock 60
Approval
82%
Decided in 8 weeks
84%
Extensions
31%
Decisions
671
#105 Ashford 59
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
75%
Extensions
40%
Decisions
991
#106 South Norfolk 59
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
67%
Extensions
42%
Decisions
1,013
#108 South Tyneside 59
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
64%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
396
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
71%
Extensions
37%
Decisions
2,098
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
70%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
486
#111 Lewisham 58
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
69%
Extensions
31%
Decisions
1,303
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
61%
Extensions
40%
Decisions
612
#113 Brent 57
Approval
78%
Decided in 8 weeks
73%
Extensions
28%
Decisions
1,963
#114 Forest of Dean 57
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
64%
Extensions
49%
Decisions
561
#115 Sevenoaks 56
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
72%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
1,130
#116 Waltham Forest 56
Approval
76%
Decided in 8 weeks
75%
Extensions
22%
Decisions
1,391
#117 Worcester 56
Approval
85%
Decided in 8 weeks
76%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
427
#118 Ashfield 55
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
74%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
425
#119 Gedling 55
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
42%
Decisions
415
#120 Malvern Hills 55
Approval
82%
Decided in 8 weeks
79%
Extensions
37%
Decisions
744
#121 Stratford-on-Avon 55
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
67%
Extensions
42%
Decisions
1,257
#122 Warrington 55
Approval
79%
Decided in 8 weeks
76%
Extensions
29%
Decisions
883
#123 Greenwich 54
Approval
77%
Decided in 8 weeks
75%
Extensions
29%
Decisions
1,468
#124 Mansfield 54
Approval
96%
Decided in 8 weeks
65%
Extensions
50%
Decisions
312
#125 North Norfolk 54
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
61%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
906
#126 Stroud 54
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
73%
Extensions
39%
Decisions
964
#127 West Devon 54
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
367
#128 Dudley 53
Approval
82%
Decided in 8 weeks
70%
Extensions
33%
Decisions
780
#129 East Suffolk 53
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
60%
Extensions
42%
Decisions
1,965
#130 Fylde 53
Approval
96%
Decided in 8 weeks
60%
Extensions
49%
Decisions
422
#131 Leeds 53
Approval
83%
Decided in 8 weeks
73%
Extensions
33%
Decisions
3,681
#133 Waverley 53
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
66%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
1,378
#134 West Lindsey 53
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
72%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
562
#136 Charnwood 52
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
72%
Extensions
36%
Decisions
872
#137 County Durham 52
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
59%
Extensions
48%
Decisions
1,706
#139 Peterborough 52
Approval
83%
Decided in 8 weeks
67%
Extensions
33%
Decisions
665
#140 Runnymede 52
Approval
83%
Decided in 8 weeks
72%
Extensions
36%
Decisions
661
#141 Solihull 52
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
65%
Extensions
41%
Decisions
1,118
#142 Trafford 52
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
71%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
1,430
#145 Burnley 50
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
71%
Extensions
40%
Decisions
294
#146 Dartford 50
Approval
79%
Decided in 8 weeks
73%
Extensions
33%
Decisions
595
#147 Lancaster 50
Approval
83%
Decided in 8 weeks
74%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
717
#148 North Yorkshire 50
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
64%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
4,714
#149 Sandwell 50
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
69%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
909
#150 Southampton 50
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
63%
Extensions
40%
Decisions
742
#151 Cumberland 49
Approval
96%
Decided in 8 weeks
50%
Extensions
45%
Decisions
1,169
Approval
81%
Decided in 8 weeks
73%
Extensions
36%
Decisions
1,184
#153 Harrow 49
Approval
78%
Decided in 8 weeks
71%
Extensions
33%
Decisions
1,330
#155 Spelthorne 49
Approval
81%
Decided in 8 weeks
70%
Extensions
35%
Decisions
634
#156 Basildon 48
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
65%
Extensions
32%
Decisions
806
#158 Canterbury 48
Approval
95%
Decided in 8 weeks
43%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
925
#159 Knowsley 48
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
60%
Extensions
45%
Decisions
299
#160 Liverpool 48
Approval
85%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
39%
Decisions
1,478
#161 Mid Sussex 48
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
64%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
1,115
Approval
76%
Decided in 8 weeks
72%
Extensions
32%
Decisions
266
#163 Surrey Heath 48
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
68%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
600
#164 Wandsworth 48
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
37%
Decisions
2,062
#165 Hart 47
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
71%
Extensions
36%
Decisions
698
#166 Pendle 47
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
64%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
441
#167 Rotherham 47
Approval
79%
Decided in 8 weeks
72%
Extensions
32%
Decisions
750
#171 East Lindsey 45
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
60%
Extensions
47%
Decisions
817
#172 Epping Forest 45
Approval
67%
Decided in 8 weeks
71%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
1,307
#173 Merton 45
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
57%
Extensions
39%
Decisions
1,079
#174 Redbridge 45
Approval
72%
Decided in 8 weeks
69%
Extensions
34%
Decisions
1,673
#175 Thanet 45
Approval
91%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
45%
Decisions
751
#177 Winchester 45
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
55%
Extensions
50%
Decisions
918
#178 Bromley 44
Approval
77%
Decided in 8 weeks
66%
Extensions
33%
Decisions
2,164
#180 Gravesham 44
Approval
75%
Decided in 8 weeks
72%
Extensions
36%
Decisions
619
#181 Great Yarmouth 44
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
69%
Extensions
49%
Decisions
366
#183 Sheffield 44
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
61%
Extensions
36%
Decisions
1,756
#184 Tamworth 44
Approval
95%
Decided in 8 weeks
53%
Extensions
59%
Decisions
150
#185 Brighton and Hove 43
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
50%
Extensions
46%
Decisions
1,719
#186 West Suffolk 43
Approval
91%
Decided in 8 weeks
56%
Extensions
46%
Decisions
1,018
#187 Harborough 42
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
51%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
814
#188 Wealden 42
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
69%
Extensions
40%
Decisions
1,361
#189 Barnsley 41
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
45%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
673
#190 Blaby 41
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
50%
Extensions
53%
Decisions
467
#191 Nottingham 41
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
45%
Extensions
33%
Decisions
1,044
#192 Haringey 40
Approval
85%
Decided in 8 weeks
55%
Extensions
40%
Decisions
1,469
#194 Worthing 40
Approval
91%
Decided in 8 weeks
53%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
573
#195 Bradford 39
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
58%
Extensions
40%
Decisions
2,322
#196 Harlow 39
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
67%
Extensions
37%
Decisions
278
#197 Huntingdonshire 39
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
55%
Extensions
55%
Decisions
1,077
#199 North Warwickshire 39
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
48%
Extensions
57%
Decisions
368
#200 Salford 39
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
56%
Extensions
53%
Decisions
737
#201 Tower Hamlets 39
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
56%
Extensions
42%
Decisions
998
#202 West Berkshire 39
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
57%
Extensions
46%
Decisions
1,045
#203 Wiltshire 39
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
53%
Extensions
55%
Decisions
3,659
#204 Blackpool 38
Approval
83%
Decided in 8 weeks
72%
Extensions
43%
Decisions
351
#205 Broxbourne 38
Approval
85%
Decided in 8 weeks
53%
Extensions
48%
Decisions
481
#206 Hastings 38
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
67%
Extensions
50%
Decisions
338
#207 Northumberland 38
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
47%
Decisions
2,013
#208 Rushcliffe 38
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
51%
Extensions
50%
Decisions
761
#209 Southend-on-Sea 38
Approval
80%
Decided in 8 weeks
64%
Extensions
43%
Decisions
904
#211 Newham 37
Approval
83%
Decided in 8 weeks
59%
Extensions
39%
Decisions
989
#212 Tewkesbury 37
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
57%
Extensions
50%
Decisions
689
#213 York 37
Approval
82%
Decided in 8 weeks
64%
Extensions
42%
Decisions
1,278
#214 Cherwell 36
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
47%
Extensions
49%
Decisions
1,091
#215 Croydon 36
Approval
75%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
1,590
#216 South Holland 36
Approval
80%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
607
#217 Wakefield 36
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
53%
Extensions
56%
Decisions
1,084
#218 Cotswold 35
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
53%
Extensions
48%
Decisions
1,252
#219 Hillingdon 35
Approval
85%
Decided in 8 weeks
58%
Extensions
45%
Decisions
1,680
#221 Westminster 35
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
44%
Extensions
28%
Decisions
4,602
#222 Ribble Valley 34
Approval
83%
Decided in 8 weeks
55%
Extensions
45%
Decisions
520
#223 Hartlepool 33
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
52%
Extensions
53%
Decisions
224
#225 Hertsmere 33
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
49%
Extensions
55%
Decisions
742
#227 Wirral 33
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
57%
Extensions
45%
Decisions
909
#228 Exeter 32
Approval
85%
Decided in 8 weeks
54%
Extensions
40%
Decisions
582
#229 Luton 32
Approval
76%
Decided in 8 weeks
60%
Extensions
43%
Decisions
741
#230 Rochford 32
Approval
79%
Decided in 8 weeks
53%
Extensions
36%
Decisions
472
#231 Camden 31
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
49%
Extensions
41%
Decisions
1,973
#232 Portsmouth 31
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
60%
Extensions
48%
Decisions
613
#234 Woking 31
Approval
82%
Decided in 8 weeks
54%
Extensions
38%
Decisions
736
#235 Havant 30
Approval
94%
Decided in 8 weeks
31%
Extensions
59%
Decisions
408
#236 Maldon 30
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
56%
Extensions
53%
Decisions
444
#237 Islington 29
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
43%
Extensions
53%
Decisions
1,488
#240 Calderdale 27
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
58%
Extensions
50%
Decisions
856
#241 Cheshire West and Chester 27
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
40%
Extensions
68%
Decisions
1,707
#242 Lambeth 27
Approval
78%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
47%
Decisions
1,784
#243 Rugby 27
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
38%
Extensions
57%
Decisions
466
#244 South Kesteven 27
Approval
91%
Decided in 8 weeks
43%
Extensions
60%
Decisions
1,002
#245 Warwick 27
Approval
90%
Decided in 8 weeks
47%
Extensions
57%
Decisions
915
#247 Elmbridge 26
Approval
77%
Decided in 8 weeks
57%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
1,358
#249 Kirklees 26
Approval
92%
Decided in 8 weeks
46%
Extensions
62%
Decisions
1,779
#250 Bolton 25
Approval
79%
Decided in 8 weeks
51%
Extensions
44%
Decisions
996
#251 Havering 25
Approval
74%
Decided in 8 weeks
56%
Extensions
47%
Decisions
1,501
#252 Rother 25
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
25%
Extensions
71%
Decisions
739
#253 Bedford 24
Approval
80%
Decided in 8 weeks
56%
Extensions
52%
Decisions
993
#254 Bracknell Forest 24
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
38%
Extensions
59%
Decisions
502
#255 Gateshead 24
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
26%
Extensions
67%
Decisions
482
#256 Hackney 24
Approval
82%
Decided in 8 weeks
53%
Extensions
46%
Decisions
1,323
#257 Hyndburn 24
Approval
77%
Decided in 8 weeks
62%
Extensions
50%
Decisions
277
#258 Reading 24
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
37%
Extensions
52%
Decisions
643
#259 Rochdale 24
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
54%
Extensions
52%
Decisions
609
#260 Slough 24
Approval
78%
Decided in 8 weeks
42%
Extensions
39%
Decisions
617
#261 Gloucester 23
Approval
78%
Decided in 8 weeks
60%
Extensions
48%
Decisions
435
#262 Oldham 23
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
44%
Extensions
59%
Decisions
821
#263 Swale 23
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
37%
Extensions
70%
Decisions
658
#264 Tandridge 23
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
51%
Extensions
56%
Decisions
701
#265 Birmingham 22
Approval
82%
Decided in 8 weeks
48%
Extensions
47%
Decisions
3,472
#266 Derby 22
Approval
91%
Decided in 8 weeks
45%
Extensions
60%
Decisions
944
#267 Leicester 22
Approval
82%
Decided in 8 weeks
51%
Extensions
48%
Decisions
1,069
#268 Hounslow 21
Approval
71%
Decided in 8 weeks
56%
Extensions
47%
Decisions
1,191
#269 Melton 21
Approval
93%
Decided in 8 weeks
11%
Extensions
75%
Decisions
308
#270 Mole Valley 21
Approval
72%
Decided in 8 weeks
50%
Extensions
43%
Decisions
913
#271 Walsall 21
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
52%
Extensions
56%
Decisions
800
#272 Welwyn Hatfield 21
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
53%
Extensions
50%
Decisions
633
#273 Wigan 20
Approval
85%
Decided in 8 weeks
54%
Extensions
57%
Decisions
708
#274 Cheshire East 19
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
39%
Extensions
65%
Decisions
2,513
#275 Chesterfield 19
Approval
89%
Decided in 8 weeks
40%
Extensions
56%
Decisions
345
#276 Torbay 19
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
37%
Extensions
54%
Decisions
529
#277 Oxford 18
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
43%
Extensions
57%
Decisions
1,150
#278 Stafford 18
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
26%
Extensions
54%
Decisions
512
#281 Ealing 15
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
41%
Extensions
61%
Decisions
1,973
#282 East Hampshire 15
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
24%
Extensions
72%
Decisions
606
#283 Stoke-on-Trent 14
Approval
88%
Decided in 8 weeks
28%
Extensions
75%
Decisions
475
#284 Buckinghamshire 13
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
34%
Extensions
55%
Decisions
4,446
#286 Bassetlaw 12
Approval
85%
Decided in 8 weeks
25%
Extensions
73%
Decisions
575
#287 High Peak 12
Approval
85%
Decided in 8 weeks
29%
Extensions
73%
Decisions
364
#288 Wyre 12
Approval
83%
Decided in 8 weeks
38%
Extensions
66%
Decisions
539
#289 Middlesbrough 11
Approval
75%
Decided in 8 weeks
38%
Extensions
55%
Decisions
301
#290 St Albans 11
Approval
87%
Decided in 8 weeks
29%
Extensions
64%
Decisions
1,411
#291 West Lancashire 11
Approval
82%
Decided in 8 weeks
41%
Extensions
60%
Decisions
564
#292 Guildford 10
Approval
84%
Decided in 8 weeks
31%
Extensions
64%
Decisions
1,348
#293 Rossendale 10
Approval
86%
Decided in 8 weeks
27%
Extensions
75%
Decisions
231
#294 Brentwood 9
Approval
83%
Decided in 8 weeks
35%
Extensions
68%
Decisions
717
#295 Crawley 5
Approval
83%
Decided in 8 weeks
26%
Extensions
73%
Decisions
218
Showing 1-10 of 296 councils

About the data

Rankings are calculated using official planning performance statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

View methodology
Latest period: the year to March 2026
Last updated: 24 August 2026
Councils covered: 296
Applications analysed: 291,997

Who moved the most in 2025

The score above uses a full year of figures. These are the councils whose numbers changed most between the first and last complete quarter of 2025, counting only authorities that decided enough applications for the shift to mean something.

Lichfield recorded the biggest rise in approvals, granting 87% of applications by the end of 2025, up from 75% in the spring. Dartford moved furthest the other way, from 83% down to 71%.

On decision speed, Tonbridge and Malling improved most: 69% of householder applications decided within 8 weeks by late 2025, up from 40%. Buckinghamshire slowed the most, from 56% to 18%.

Deadline extensions rose fastest at Kingston upon Thames, agreed on 37% of applications by late 2025 against 13% earlier in the year. Stafford pulled them back most, from 66% to 33%.

The quarter to March 2026 is left out of these comparisons. Its timing data is still provisional in the MHCLG release, so late-reporting councils can show artificially low decision speeds until it is revised.

What are planning authority rankings?

Planning authority rankings compare England's local planning authorities (LPAs) by how they handle planning applications. Each council is scored on three things: how often it approves applications, how quickly it decides them, and how often it extends the statutory decision deadline. Together these signals describe the experience of applying to a particular council, from a developer or a homeowner's point of view.

The rankings only cover England, because the underlying dataset (MHCLG planning application statistics) is England-only at LPA level. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland publish their own equivalents separately.

How the Planning Authority Score is calculated

The Planning Authority Score combines three inputs from the most recent year of MHCLG data: approval rate (the share of decisions that grant permission), decision speed (the share of householder decisions made within the 8-week statutory limit), and extension rate (the share of applications where the council and applicant agree to extend the deadline). A higher approval rate, faster decisions and fewer extensions all push the score up; the opposite drags it down. The result is expressed out of 10 on application pages and out of 100 on this rankings table. The methodology is identical to the score shown on individual application pages.

What the score can and cannot tell you

The score is a council-wide figure: it describes how a council handles its overall caseload over a full year. It is useful as context - "what kind of authority am I dealing with?" - and it surfaces meaningful differences between fast, slow, permissive and strict councils.

The score does not predict whether your specific application will be approved or how long yours will take. Outcome depends on the scheme, the site, neighbour and consultee responses, conservation/listed-building status and the local plan. A high-scoring council can still refuse an out-of-character development, and a low-scoring one can still approve a strong scheme on its merits.

Why approval rate is not the same as "best"

It is tempting to read "highest approval rate" as "best council to apply to". That is not quite right. A council with an unusually high approval rate may be permissive, or it may simply have fewer contentious applications, or it may be applying its local plan straightforwardly. Conversely, a council with a lower approval rate may be defending a sensitive conservation area, a green belt or a strict housing policy - all legitimate reasons to refuse. Use the rankings to understand how a council behaves, not as a single-axis quality ranking.

Frequently asked questions

What is a planning authority score?

A planning authority score is a 0-10 rating (also shown as 0-100 in the rankings table) summarising how a council handles planning applications across a full year. It combines approval rate, decision speed within the 8-week statutory limit, and how often the council extends the deadline. The score is built from official MHCLG planning performance figures.

How are planning authority rankings calculated?

Each council's score is calculated from three weighted inputs drawn from the latest MHCLG planning application statistics: approval rate (decisions granted), decision speed (share decided in 8 weeks), and extension rate (share where the deadline was extended by agreement). The three components are normalised, combined and rounded. Councils are then ranked against every other LPA in England.

Which council approves the most planning applications?

Fareham has the highest approval rate among English LPAs, granting permission on 98% of decisions in the latest period. A high approval rate does not automatically mean an easier application: it can reflect a permissive policy stance, a low-conflict caseload, or a council that screens out weaker applications at pre-application stage.

Which councils decide planning applications fastest?

City of London is currently the fastest, deciding 100% of householder applications within the 8-week statutory limit. Sort the rankings table by "Decided in 8 weeks" to see the full league of fastest councils. Speed is influenced by staffing, caseload, software, and how routinely a council asks for time extensions.

Why do councils extend planning application deadlines?

Councils and applicants can agree in writing to extend the statutory decision period beyond 8 weeks (for householder) or 13 weeks (for major applications). Extensions are legitimate where there is genuine complexity - additional consultation, revised drawings, or ecological surveys. However, some councils rely on extensions systematically to manage workload, which means the headline "decided in time" figure can flatter performance. A high extension rate is a useful counter-signal in the rankings.

Does a high council score mean my application will be approved?

No. The score is a council-wide context figure, not a prediction. Your application's outcome depends on the specific scheme, the site, neighbour and statutory consultee responses, the local plan and conservation/listed-building considerations. A high-scoring council can still refuse a poor application; a lower-scoring one can still approve a strong one. Use the score to understand the council you are dealing with, not as a forecast.

What data is used for these rankings?

The rankings use the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) planning application statistics, specifically the PS2 tables at local planning authority level. The current dataset covers the year to March 2026. Figures are published quarterly by MHCLG and reflect councils' own returns to government.