South Downs National Park Authority planning applications
Data as of 5 November 2026
South Downs National Park Authority decided more than 3,600 planning applications in the twelve months to 5 November 2026. It refused 7% of those it approved or refused, about the same as the middle UK council (9%), and took a median of 56 days to decide one.
Look up one application
Search by reference or address on South Downs National Park Authority’s own planning portal. Or ask Claude, with the PlanningLedger connector, to find it and read its officer report and decision notice (mcp.planningledger.com).
Recent major decisions
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29 October 2026 · Approved
Bognor Common Quarry Fitzleroi Lane Fittleworth West Sussex RH20 1JY · SDNP/25/04940/ROMP
Figures for South Downs National Park Authority
| Applications decided | more than 3,600 |
|---|---|
| Share refusedof those approved or refused | 7%middle UK council 9% |
| Median time to a decisionfrom the valid date | 56 daysmiddle UK council 55 days |
| Householder applications refusedextensions, lofts, outbuildings | Not enough typed decisions |
| Appeals decidedin the last three years | more than 250 |
| Appeals allowedof those decided on their merits | 27%about one in four |
| Officer reports and decision notices searchable | back to 2017 |
| Local Plan policies held | more than 110 |
What inspectors decide appeals on
In their own words, from recent appeal decisions on South Downs National Park Authority’s planning applications.
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“The main issues are: • The effect of the proposal on ancient woodland; • The effect of the proposal on the Arun Valley designated sites as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI,), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area…”
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“The main issue is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.”
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“Although the Authority have failed to issue a decision, they have submitted a comprehensive Statement of Case. In conjunction with my observations on site, the main issues are, therefore: • the effect of the proposed development on the South Downs…”
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“The main issues are: • the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to the South Downs National Park (the SDNP); • whether the appeal site would be suitable for the…”
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“The main issues are: • Whether the proposed development would be appropriate having regard to the spatial strategy of the development plan; • The effect of the development on the landscape, natural beauty and cultural heritage of the South Downs…”
How we count, and what each figure leaves out: methodology. The council’s own register is the record, and each application links to it.