Horsham

South East·E07000227·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
78

Good

Performance rating out of 100, based on approval rate, decision speed and appeal outcomes

Horsham is a planning authority in West Sussex in the South East that takes a generally positive approach to householder applications. With an approval rate of 97%, it's clear that the council is supportive of homeowners looking to improve their properties. The authority does take some time to reach decisions, so patience is needed during the process.

Approval Rate

97%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

71%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

33%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

When you submit a planning application to Horsham, you can feel confident that the vast majority of householder applications are approved. Around 97% of applications like yours will get the green light, which is an excellent sign. However, be prepared for the decision to take a bit longer than the standard 8 week target, as only 71% of applications are decided within this timeframe. This means some applications do take longer, so it's worth building extra time into your plans.

Local Planning Considerations

Horsham is a diverse area with various conservation areas and some green belt land, so depending on where your property is located, these considerations could affect your application. It's worth checking whether your home falls within a conservation area before you apply, as this may influence what types of changes you can make. Getting familiar with your local area's planning policies early on will save you time and potential disappointment.

Tips for Homeowners

Start by having a clear conversation with the planning team at Horsham before you submit anything formal. They're generally helpful and can point you towards the right information for your specific situation. Make sure your application is thorough and well presented, as this authority clearly values quality submissions given their high approval rate. Finally, factor in some extra time beyond the 8 week target into your planning, since nearly 30% of applications take longer to decide, and having realistic expectations will help keep your project on track.

About the performance rating: The score out of 100 is calculated from three factors: householder application approval rate (up to 40 points), the percentage of decisions made within the 8-week statutory target (up to 30 points), and the appeal overturn rate, where a lower rate means the authority makes sound decisions that hold up on appeal (up to 20 points). A further 10 points are available for data completeness. Source: MHCLG PS2 planning statistics and Planning Inspectorate appeal decisions, 2025 Q1-Q4.

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