Whether you’re working on a development project, paving your front garden or extending your home, you may need to get planning permission. After all, your local council will need to assess the potential impact on the surrounding area and ensure that your project complies with relevant regulations. However, certain areas have different planning constraints that can make it difficult to get applications green-lit. In some cases, the local community may simply disapprove of your plans. That is why GB Concrete & Pump have identified the toughest areas to secure planning permission. Read on for the full lowdown.
Regions With the Lowest Approval Rate
1. London
London has the lowest approval rate in the country, with only 72.36 applications granted out of every 100 received. This is quite concerning given that London accounts for 56% of England’s total number of homeless households in temporary accommodation, with a 10% rise between April 2023 and April 2024. With fewer homes being built, this increases competition, driving up rents and house prices, ultimately making it even harder for vulnerable people to find stable housing.
2. East of England
Following closely behind London is the East of England, which has the second-lowest approval rate, with 78.71 applications approved per 100 received. Reports suggest that the East of England also has a lack of affordable housing, with thousands of families in unsuitable temporary housing. The lower rate of planning approvals makes it challenging to meet the region’s growing housing needs.
3. North West
Similarly, the North West also grapples with a shortage of affordable housing and rising rents. While the approval rate exceeds 80 at 80.45 applications granted per 100 received, it is relatively lower than other regions in the North.
Regions With the Highest Approval Rate
1. North East
The North East has been named the cheapest region in England to buy a home, so it makes sense that it has the highest rate of planning applications granted, with 85.42 approvals for every 100 applications received.
2. South West
The Sout West ranks as the second-best region for planning applications, with 83.33 applications approvals for every 100 received.
3. Yorkshire and the Humber
Yorkshire and the Humber ranks as the second cheapest region in England for people looking to purchase property and our research shows that it takes the third spot when it comes to planning permission, with 82.84 applications approved per 100 received.
What is the Approval Rate in the West Midlands?
In the West Midlands, 81.53 out of 100 planning applications are approved, meaning almost 20% are rejected. This shortage of housing development adds to the ongoing crisis, leaving many people in unstable housing and making waiting lists for social homes even longer.
Research suggests that, in the next two decades, at least 127,600 new homes need to be built in Birmingham to keep up with the demand for housing. With planning approvals at the current rate, it is unclear how the pressure on residents and local authorities will ease.
The Takeaway
In response to the findings, a spokesperson at GB Concrete & Pump says: “Our research highlights a worrying housing gap across England. London and the East of England, which have some of the highest housing demand in the country, have the lowest approval rates. This disparity is concerning as it suggests that regions with the most acute housing needs are struggling to increase housing supply at a rate comparable to other areas. This may worsen existing inequalities by making it even harder for people in high-demand areas to access affordable housing.”
Methodology
To identify the areas where people struggle to get planning applications green-lit, the team analysed planning application statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, covering the period from July 2020 to June 2024. To allow for comparison between regions, the data was normalised and presented as the number of applications granted per 100 applications received.
