Torridge

South West·E07000046·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
73

Good

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

Torridge is a planning authority in Devon in the South West of England. The council takes a positive approach to householder applications, with a strong approval rate and a genuine willingness to work with residents on their projects. You can generally expect a straightforward experience when applying here.

Approval Rate

95%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

76%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

37%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

When you submit a householder planning application to Torridge, you have a very good chance of approval. Around 95 percent of householder applications are approved, which is well above the national average and reflects the council's supportive approach. You can expect a decision within 8 weeks in about three quarters of cases, though some applications may take a little longer depending on complexity. If your application is refused, you have the right to appeal, and there is a reasonable chance of success on appeal.

Local Planning Considerations

Torridge covers a beautiful part of Devon with significant areas of countryside and coastal landscape. You should check whether your property is in a conservation area or near any listed buildings, as these bring additional planning considerations that you will need to address in your application. The rural character of much of the district means that proposals should be sensitive to the local environment and existing settlement patterns.

Tips for Homeowners

Take time to understand the local character of your area before designing your project, as applications that respect and complement their surroundings are more likely to succeed. Get your drawings and descriptions clear and detailed from the start, as this helps the council assess your proposal quickly and thoroughly. If you are at all uncertain about whether you need planning permission, contact the council's planning team early for informal advice, as they are generally helpful and it can save you time later. Finally, consider how your neighbours might view your proposal and think about whether you need to discuss it with them beforehand, as this can sometimes help the process run more smoothly.

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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