Hereford refuses just 1 in 21 planning applications. That is less than half the national refusal rate.
Herefordshire Council received 1,138 planning applications in the Hereford area in 2025. Of the applications with a decision, 95.3% were approved, well above the national rate of 87.6%. Just 4.7% were refused, about 1 in 21, against 1 in 8 nationally. The mix leans towards annexes, which were filed at nearly twice the national rate, and retrospective applications filed after the work was already done.
The year in one line
Herefordshire approved 95.3% of decided applications in 2025, refused just 1 in 21, less than half the national refusal rate, while annexes were filed at nearly twice the national share.
What Hereford Is Building
Extensions lead, but annexes set the town apart.
Home extensions were the most common project submitted to Herefordshire in 2025, at 20.3% of all applications, below the national share of 29.1%. The category that distinguishes Hereford is annexes, at 2.2% of applications against 1.1% nationally, nearly double the national rate. Around 1 in 21 applications were retrospective, filed after the work was already done, above the national 3.7%.
Applications submitted to Herefordshire in 2025, by project type. Based on 2024-2025 pooled counts for category stability.
The annex signal
Hereford submits annex applications at 1.9 times the national rate. In a county of large plots and rural properties, annexes for family members or dependants are a consistent feature of the planning caseload.
The council verdict
A very reliable yes.
The council approved 95.3% of the applications it decided and refused only 4.7%, a refusal rate less than half the national average of 12.4%. Only about 1 in 21 applications was turned down, compared with roughly 1 in 8 nationally.
About 1 in 21 Hereford applications was turned down.
of applications were refused, about 1 in 21, against 1 in 8 nationally. Herefordshire approves at nearly 8 percentage points above the national rate.
Hereford vs The National Norm
A rural market town, by the numbers.
Set Hereford's application mix against the national average and the rural character shows clearly. Annexes feature in 2.2% of applications here, 1.9 times the national share of 1.1%. Extensions are filed less often, 20.3% against 29.1% nationally, and demolition is also below norm at 6.1% against 9.1%. Retrospective applications run slightly above the national share. The categories Hereford does least of are dormers and loft conversions, each well below the national rate, the kind of roof projects more common in denser towns.
Hereford submits annex applications at 1.9 times the national rate, the planning mark of a county with large plots, rural properties and multi-generational living needs.
Each bar is Hereford's share of applications; the marker is the national share. Annexes are the town's defining outperformer.
Meanwhile, the market
Prices moved alongside the building work.
Permission may be easier to win here, and prices have kept climbing: the average Hereford home moved higher again over the latest full year.
Hereford's 2025 planning data tells a clear story. Herefordshire is one of the easiest councils in England to get permission from: 95.3% of decided applications were approved and the refusal rate of just 4.7% is less than half the national average. The mix reflects the area's rural character, with annex applications at nearly twice the national share. For anyone looking to extend, convert or add a garden annexe in this part of Herefordshire, the planning odds are strongly in their favour.
Where the numbers come from
Planning Data
Applications submitted to Herefordshire Council in 2025, classified from each application's published description. Category shares are computed over the pooled 2024-2025 period for stability; volume is the 2025 annual total.
Decision Rates
Approval rate is approvals as a share of approvals plus refusals. The national benchmarks are computed the same way across all decided applications in England and Wales.
Sales Data
HM Land Registry Price Paid Data for the Hereford post town, the latest full year's completions, with growth measured against the previous year.
The Real Applications
Open the planning applications behind the numbers.
These are real applications decided in Hereford in the latest full year, from annexes and retrospective works to extensions and refusals. Open any one to see its full record.
Meadow View Parks Road, Clifford HR3 5HQ
A rural outbuilding application approved, reflecting the kind of large-plot works that characterise the Herefordshire caseload.
See this property's full recordCalderwell Cottage, Bodenham HR1 3LB
Permission granted for a garden annexe, part of the category Hereford files at nearly twice the national rate.
See this property's full record12 Pennine Close HR4 0TE
An extension with partial garage conversion was approved, the most common project type submitted to Herefordshire.
See this property's full record16 Eastfield, Eardisley HR3 6PF
Two rear dormers approved, a roof project type Hereford files well below the national share.
See this property's full record2 The Steppes, Peterchurch HR2 0RP
One of the roughly 1 in 21 applications refused in the Herefordshire area, a rare outcome in one of the country's most permissive councils.
See this property's full record71 Church Road HR1 1RS
A proposal for extensions and alterations was refused, a rare outcome where Herefordshire approves 95.3% of decided applications.
See this property's full recordCurious about a home in Hereford?
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