Reigate and Banstead
Good
Performance rating out of 100, based on approval rate, decision speed and appeal outcomes
Reigate and Banstead is a planning authority in the South East that covers a mix of suburban and rural areas. The council takes a generally supportive approach to householder applications, approving the vast majority of them. It's a reasonably well performing authority overall, though like many councils it does experience some delays in getting decisions out.
Approval Rate
92%
of householder applications approved
Decided Within 8 Weeks
76%
meet the statutory target
Appeal Overturn Rate
26%
of refusals overturned on appeal
What to Expect
You can be quite confident about your prospects here as the council approves around 92% of householder planning applications. However, you should be prepared for the possibility of waiting a bit longer than the standard 8 weeks for a decision, as the authority manages to hit this target in roughly three quarters of cases. Most applications will be decided, but some will take longer than others depending on their complexity. The good news is that if your application is refused, you'll have a reasonable chance of success if you decide to appeal.
Local Planning Considerations
Parts of the Reigate and Banstead area fall within the green belt, so if your property is located there you may face stricter rules about what can be built. There are also several conservation areas across the authority where changes to buildings and their surroundings are more carefully controlled. It's worth checking whether your property sits in any of these designated areas before you start planning your project.
Tips for Homeowners
Start by having a clear conversation with the council's planning officers before you submit anything formal. They can give you a sense of whether your project is likely to be acceptable and might suggest improvements that will make your application stronger. Make sure your drawings and descriptions are as clear and detailed as possible, as vague applications often lead to requests for more information which will slow things down. Finally, if you're in any special area like a conservation zone or green belt, get professional advice early on, as the rules in these places are stricter and it's worth getting it right from the start.
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