Planning decisions in Watford
As of 26 Jun 2026, covering the last 5 years.
On the public planning record, Watford approved 81% of 2,321 decided applications in the last 5 years. Here is the approval rate for the most common home-project types. It is useful before you apply and free for local reporters to cite with attribution to MyTrustedTraders.
Approval rate by project type
- Extension : 80% approved (623 decided, ~54 days)
- Rear extension : 82% approved (469 decided, ~52 days)
- Loft conversion : 74% approved (250 decided, ~55 days)
- Roof / fenestration : 81% approved (232 decided, ~55 days)
- Tree work : 98% approved (146 decided, ~43 days)
- Side extension : 80% approved (123 decided, ~56 days)
- Porch : 85% approved (105 decided, ~56 days)
- Demolition : 82% approved (94 decided, ~56 days)
- Two-storey extension : 74% approved (77 decided, ~56 days)
- Change of use : 57% approved (63 decided, ~69 days)
- Listed building / conservation : 92% approved (52 decided, ~44 days)
- Advertisement / signage : 85% approved (47 decided, ~57 days)
- Outbuilding / garden room : 93% approved (40 decided, ~56 days)
Method
Figures are aggregates over the public planning decisions we hold for Watford, matched to a project type from the application description. Overall approval is decided-weighted across project types, using each type's rate over the last 5 years where we hold enough decisions, otherwise its full record. Only types with at least five decided applications are shown. We publish aggregate counts only, with no application references or applicant names. Full method and limits.