Research · Planning odds

Will your project be approved? Planning odds by council

Real approval rates and typical decision times for common home projects, by council, from public planning decisions. No ads, no paid placement. Pick a project to see which councils approve the most and fewest, then open a council for its full track record.

Based on decisions on the public record over the last 5 years, as of 15 Jul 2026.

Extension

Of 361 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Rear extension

Of 316 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Lowest approval

Demolition

Of 304 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Change of use

Of 300 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Tree work

Of 276 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Side extension

Of 270 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Two-storey extension

Of 226 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Loft conversion

Of 222 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Porch

Of 203 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Roof / fenestration

Of 179 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Boundary wall / fence / gates

Of 155 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Listed building / conservation

Of 151 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Conservatory / orangery

Of 139 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

New dwelling

Of 105 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Lowest approval

Advertisement / signage

Of 104 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Windows & doors

Of 89 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Solar / renewables

Of 83 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Balcony / roof terrace

Of 56 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Outbuilding / garden room

Of 41 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Shopfront / commercial

Of 38 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Basement

Of 25 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Garage conversion

Of 22 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Driveway / dropped kerb

Of 18 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Annexe

Of 5 councils with enough recent decisions to compare.

Highest approval

Lowest approval

Method

Approval rate = approved ÷ (approved + refused) over public planning decisions, matched to a type of work from the application description. We lead with the last 5 years so the figure reflects how a council decides today, with the longer record shown as context. A council only appears in a highest- or lowest-approval list when it has enough recent decisions for the comparison to be reliable, and we leave out any council we would show at 100% or 0%, because we cannot tell a lenient council from an incomplete set of decisions. Each list shows at most half the councils we can compare, so the two ends stay apart. Aggregate figures only, never an individual application. Journalists are welcome to cite these with attribution to MyTrustedTraders. Read the full method and limits.