Planning Permission in East Hampshire
Non-Metropolitan District in South East · Last updated April 2026
East Hampshire is a largely rural district stretching from the market towns of Alton and Petersfield to the villages of the Hampshire countryside. The district contains 43 conservation areas and 654 listed buildings. A significant portion of the district falls within the South Downs National Park, where the National Park Authority is the planning authority rather than East Hampshire District Council.
For areas outside the National Park, East Hampshire handles planning decisions covering Alton, Whitehill and Bordon (undergoing major regeneration as a former military town), and surrounding villages. The contrast between the regenerating garrison town and the traditional Hampshire villages creates a varied planning context.
East Hampshire approved 87.4% of planning applications in the year ending September 2025, with 563 decisions from 577 applications. Housing delivery at 88% triggers an action plan requirement.
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What can I build in East Hampshire?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones | Properties near boundaries | Conservation areas (43), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Conservation areas (43), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (43), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of East Hampshire | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of East Hampshire (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on East Hampshire's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in East Hampshire
East Hampshire's permitted development framework is split between the district council area and the South Downs National Park. Within the National Park, PD rights are reduced and the Park Authority handles planning. In the district council area, 43 conservation areas restrict PD rights in historic village centres. Outside conservation areas, standard PD rights apply. Whitehill and Bordon's regeneration area has its own design expectations.
What East Hampshire expects from your project
Local Plan: East Hampshire District Local Plan: Joint Core Strategy
East Hampshire adopted its Joint Core Strategy in May 2014, prepared jointly with the South Downs National Park Authority which covers a significant part of the district. The district covers the Petersfield area and the Whitehill/Bordon regeneration site, a former army garrison being redeveloped as a 3,350-home sustainable settlement.
Emerging / replacement plan
East Hampshire is preparing a new Local Plan. An Issues and Options consultation ran in 2023, with a Regulation 19 Pre-Submission plan anticipated in 2025–2026.
43 conservation areas
East Hampshire has a high number of conservation areas. Check whether your property falls within one before starting any work — conservation area status significantly restricts what you can do without planning permission.
51 Article 4 directions
East Hampshire has applied Article 4 directions to 51 areas, which remove certain permitted development rights in those zones. Use our free checker to see if your property is affected.
Conservation areas in East Hampshire
43 designated conservation areas
East Hampshire's 43 conservation areas cover the historic cores of market towns and villages across the district. Alton retains Georgian and medieval buildings along its high street. Petersfield (within the National Park) has a fine market square. Many villages along the Hampshire lanes have conservation areas protecting clusters of flint, brick, and timber-framed buildings. The council expects proposals to demonstrate understanding of each area's specific character.
Article 4 directions in East Hampshire
51 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in East Hampshire
There are 654 listed buildings in East Hampshire. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with East Hampshire's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
East Hampshire received 577 planning applications and decided 563 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 87.4% is above the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
East Hampshire approved 87.4% of applications in the year ending September 2025 with a 95.9% delegation rate. All major applications were decided on time, with householder at 90.8%. The council processed 563 decisions from 577 applications, including 305 householder decisions. Housing delivery at 88% triggers an action plan requirement.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Recent planning applications in East Hampshire
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what East Hampshire expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on East Hampshire's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Housing delivery in East Hampshire
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
East Hampshire delivered 1,453 homes against a requirement of 1,644 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 88%. This is below the 95% threshold, which means East Hampshire must publish an action plan setting out how it intends to increase housing delivery. For homeowners, this is a positive signal — the council is under pressure to approve more housing, which can make planning officers more receptive to well-designed residential applications and extensions that add living space.
Lawful Development Certificates in East Hampshire
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from East Hampshire that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
East Hampshire decided 305 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 90.8% is below the national average of 93%, so LDC applications may take longer than the 8-week target. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in East Hampshire
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through East Hampshire's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
East Hampshire must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for East Hampshire.
Pre-application advice in East Hampshire
East Hampshire offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is From £75 for householder proposals.
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
Think your project might be permitted development?
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Check your PD rights now →Pre-application advice for householder and commercial developments within East Hampshire district (outside the South Downs National Park).
Planning fees and timelines in East Hampshire
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning application | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Full planning permission | £610 per dwelling | 8-13 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6-8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6-8 weeks |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Prior approval | £120 | 56 days |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | 8 weeks |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | 28 days |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by East Hampshire and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in East Hampshire
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in East Hampshire is provided by East Hampshire Building Control. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
East Hampshire planning department
Your building project checklist for East Hampshire
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — East Hampshire has 43 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — East Hampshire has 51 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
Nearby planning authorities
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