South Kesteven

East Midlands·E07000141·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
52

Average

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

South Kesteven is a planning authority covering parts of Lincolnshire in the East Midlands. The authority tends to be quite welcoming to householder applications, with a strong approval rate. However, it's worth knowing that decisions can sometimes take longer than the standard timeframe.

Approval Rate

92%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

42%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

36%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

You have a good chance of success here, as South Kesteven approves around 92 out of every 100 householder planning applications. This is a reassuring figure if your project is straightforward and well presented. That said, you should be prepared for decisions to take a bit longer than ideal, as only around 4 in 10 applications are decided within the standard 8 week timeframe. Even if you do face a refusal, there's still hope, as about 1 in 3 refused applications succeed when appealed.

Local Planning Considerations

South Kesteven includes areas with varying planning sensitivities, so it's worth checking whether your property falls within a conservation area or is subject to any local restrictions before you start. The authority covers both rural and urban settings, which means green belt and countryside protection policies may apply depending on your location. Getting a sense of the local planning policies early on will save you time and help you prepare a stronger application.

Tips for Homeowners

Start by having a proper chat with the planning team before submitting anything formal, as they can often spot potential issues early and help you get your application right first time. Make sure your application is thorough and well illustrated with clear drawings and photos, since good presentation really does help officers make decisions faster. Given that decisions here can take longer than the standard 8 weeks, factor in extra time for your project and consider asking the authority for a target decision date when you submit. Finally, if you do get refused, don't be disheartened straight away, as you have a reasonable chance of success on appeal if you believe the decision was unfair.

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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