Planning Permission in Hart
Non-Metropolitan District in South East · Last updated April 2026
Hart is a district in north-east Hampshire covering the towns of Fleet, Yateley, and Hook, alongside historic villages in the Loddon and Hart valleys. The district has 39 conservation areas and 929 listed buildings, reflecting its heritage of Hampshire downland villages, coaching inns, and country houses. Hart has consistently been ranked among the best places to live in England.
The Thames Basin Heaths SPA creates important ecological constraints for residential development. The district's housing delivery at 197% far exceeds targets — one of the highest rates in England. However, the approval rate of 79.9% is below the national average.
Hart approved 79.9% of planning applications in the year ending September 2025, with 730 decisions from 797 applications received.
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What can I build in Hart?
| 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 (39), 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 (39), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (39), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Hart | 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 Hart (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Hart's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Hart
Hart's permitted development framework is shaped by 39 conservation areas covering historic village centres across the district. While no Article 4 directions are in force, the conservation areas restrict PD rights in many settlements. The Thames Basin Heaths SPA requires mitigation for new residential development within 5km. Outside conservation areas, standard PD rights apply to the suburban areas of Fleet and surrounding settlements.
What Hart expects from your project
Local Plan: Hart Local Plan: Strategy and Sites 2016–2032
Hart District adopted its Local Plan: Strategy and Sites in October 2020. Hart is one of the least deprived districts in England, with significant Green Belt coverage. The plan provides for around 9,000 new homes including major development at Fleet, Hook and a new strategic development at Pale Lane in Fleet.
Emerging / replacement plan
Hart is monitoring delivery against the Local Plan. A formal review is expected to begin in 2025–2026 as part of the Hampshire-wide strategic planning framework.
39 conservation areas
Hart 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.
47 Article 4 directions
Hart has applied Article 4 directions to 47 areas, which remove certain permitted development rights in those zones. Use our free checker to see if your property is affected.
79.9% approval rate
Hart's planning approval rate is below the national average of 86.9%. If your project needs planning permission, consider pre-application advice before submitting — it significantly reduces refusal risk.
Conservation areas in Hart
39 designated conservation areas
Hart's 39 conservation areas cover a wide range of Hampshire villages and the historic centres of Fleet and Odiham. Odiham is particularly significant with its long Georgian high street and medieval castle ruins. Other conservation areas protect flint-and-brick villages in the Loddon Valley and the rural character of settlements like Crondall, Crookham Village, and Hartley Wintney. The council expects proposals to respect the specific rural Hampshire character of each area.
Article 4 directions in Hart
47 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Hart
There are 929 listed buildings in Hart. 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 Hart's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Hart received 797 planning applications and decided 730 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 79.9% is below 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.
Hart approved 79.9% of applications in the year ending September 2025 with a 98.2% delegation rate. Major applications were decided on time in 76.5% of cases, with householder at 93.3%. The council processed 730 decisions from 797 applications, including 476 householder decisions. Housing delivery at an exceptional 197% is one of the highest in England.
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 Hart
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Hart expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Hart'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 Hart
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Hart delivered 1,725 homes against a requirement of 878 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 197%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Hart are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Hart
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Hart 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.
Hart decided 476 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 93.3% is above the national average of 93%, which suggests LDC applications are likely to be processed on time. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Hart
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Hart'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
Hart 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.
Check your permitted development rights
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FROM £39Permitted Development Certificate Report
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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Hart.
Pre-application advice in Hart
Hart 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?
Check in 2 minutes with our free tool — no sign-up needed.
Check your PD rights now →Pre-application advice for householder and commercial developments within the Hart district.
Planning fees and timelines in Hart
| 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 Hart and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Hart
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 Hart is provided by Hart Building Control. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Hart planning department
Your building project checklist for Hart
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Hart has 39 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Hart has 47 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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