The latest internal data release from Searchland, the development site sourcing specialists, has revealed where across the country developers are most likely to find success when it comes to securing approval for a planning application.
The data from Searchland tracks planning approval rates across each local planning authority for applications of more than one dwelling and how this approval rate has changed on an annual basis.
Boston tops the table
The data shows that developers have the best chance of obtaining planning approval in Boston.
In 2024, Boston planning authorities approved 100% of all planning applications - the only authority to do so.
Boston also saw the largest year-on-year improvement in this respect, with a 38.7% pt annual jump in the planning approval rate.
Rest of the best approval rates
Both Gosport and Tamworth local planning authorities also rank high with respect to planning approval rates, with 92% of all applications getting the go ahead in 2024.
Other local planning authorities to make the top 10 include Preston (88.7%), Wandsworth (88.7%), Shetland Islands (87.7%), Fareham (87.6%), Blackburn with Darwen (87.3%), South Tyneside (86.8%) and Barrow-in-Furness (68.8%).
Biggest improvements
When it comes to the best improvements in approval rates on an annual basis, Boston is joined in the top 10 by Redditch (+26%pt), Islington (+24.1%pt), Gosport (+23.7%pt), Torfaen (+23.5%pt), Broxbourne (+23%pt), Newport (+19%pt), Rushcliffe (+18.5%pt), Oadby and Wigston (+17.7%pt) and Barrow-in-Furness (+17.5%pt).
Worst approval rates
When it comes to the local planning authority with the worst approval rates, Newham claims the title, approving just 30.3% of applications made in 2024.
Havering (33.5%), West Northamptonshire (34.4%), Crawley (36.6%), Harrow and Bedfordshire (37.3%) also boast some of the lowest approval rates.
“Our recent research highlighted how protracted the planning decision process is across many local planning authorities and how the time it takes to arrive at a decision has increased substantially in many cases," said co-founder of Searchland, Hugh Gibbs.
He added, "But it’s not just the decision process that can cause delays for developers looking to bring new homes to market, as failing to secure the green light can also push them back to square one.
"It’s a bit of a lottery in this respect, with some local planning authorities approving the vast majority of applications, whilst some don’t even approve a third, and this figure not only fluctuates depending on location, but also on a year-to-year basis.”
