Which English councils approve the most planning applications (2026)
By Housey · Data: Year ending March 2026
Whether the council blesses your dream extension depends less on your drawings than on your postcode. Across 296 English councils, 87.6% of planning decisions were granted in the year to March 2026 — but your odds swing from 64% in Barking and Dagenham to a near-formality 98% in Fareham.
- 296
- Councils ranked
- 87.6%
- Average approval
- 97.6%
- Most likely to grant
- 64.1%
- Least likely to grant
of all decisions
Fareham
Barking and Dagenham
| # | Local planning authority | % granted | Decisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fareham | 97.6% | 583 |
| 2 | North Kesteven | 97.0% | 631 |
| 3 | City of London | 97.0% | 460 |
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| 294 | Hounslow | 71.5% | 1,191 |
| 295 | Epping Forest | 67.2% | 1,307 |
| 296 | Barking and Dagenham | 64.1% | 725 |
Methodology & sources
% of planning decisions granted per local planning authority (MHCLG Table P134, year ending March 2026).
- Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-planning-application-statistics
- Period: Year ending March 2026
- Data retrieved: 7 July 2026
- Authorities ranked: 296
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