Planning data for England
In England's most expensive areas you are less likely to get planning permission for a home improvement, but no more likely to be kept waiting. In the priciest fifth of councils 87% of homeowner applications are approved, against 92% in the cheapest fifth. Decision speed barely moves: 64% and 61% are decided within 8 weeks. Based on 294 councils with a comparable house price.
Cheapest fifth
Median home around £191,996
92%
of homeowner applications approved
61% decided within 8 weeks
Priciest fifth
Median home around £510,000
87%
of homeowner applications approved
64% decided within 8 weeks
Approval rate by house price band
294 councils with a comparable house price
About this comparison
House prices are the ONS median price paid, from HM Land Registry data for the year ending September 2025, matched to each council by its official area code. Planning figures (how many homeowner applications are approved and how often a decision is made within 8 weeks) come from the government MHCLG planning statistics for 2025. The two are lined up council by council.
This shows how the figures move together, not that one causes the other. House prices reflect many things beyond planning, such as location, jobs and the type of homes in an area. Councils with no comparable house price, including National Parks, the Broads and development corporations, are not included.