Planning permission in Ashford

Limited recent decision data is available for Ashford, so we don't show a headline approval rate here. The figures below cover all application types on record.

Across all application types, 90.1% of 4,745 applications decided since June 2023 were approved. Based on Ashford's public planning register. Data last updated: 29 May 2026.

6,130Total applications

4,745Decided

90.1%Approval rate (of decided)

4,274 Approved+471 Refused+404 Withdrawn+598 Pending+383 Outcome not determined=6,130 Total

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Decision Level

6,033Delegated

93Committee

By Development Category

All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	1,220	1,108	112	90.8%
Discharging planning conditions	787	762	25	96.8%
Full planning applications	714	562	152	78.7%
Tree works in a conservation area	461	461	0	no refusals recorded
Protected tree works (TPO)	379	374	5	98.7%
Listed Building Consent	349	293	56	84.0%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	179	161	18	89.9%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	163	155	8	95.1%
Advertisement Consent	88	81	7	92.0%
Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q)	71	44	27	62.0%
Change of Use	48	43	5	89.6%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	36	31	5	86.1%
Prior notification: Building (agricultural/forestry)	35	22	13	62.9%
Prior approval (permitted development)	32	28	4	87.5%
Prior approval Agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses	31	14	17	45.2%
Forestry Commission	24	24	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	128	111	17	mixed types

Tree works in a conservation area: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Forestry Commission: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Overhead Line Exemption (18), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (12), Environmental impact screening and scoping (12), Prior notification: Road (agricultural/forestry) (9), Hedgerow Removal (9), Prior approval Part 3 Class R: Agricultural buildings to a flexible commercial use (8), Prior approval Part 14 Class J: Installation or alteration etc of solar equipment on non-domestic premises (8), Biodiversity Gain Plan (8), Outline Planning (6), Prior notification: Demolition (6), Phone masts and telecoms (5), Permission in Principle (5), Modification & Discharge of Planning Obligation S106A (3), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (2), Demolition in a conservation area (2), Prior Approval Part 3 Class MA: Commercial, Business and Service to dwellinghouse (2), Prior approval Enlargement to dwellinghouses by construction of additional storeys (2), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (1), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (1), Trees in a Conservation Area - DDD (1), Network Rail Notification - Consultation (1), Prior notification: Excavation/waste material (1), Trees in a Conservation Area - Dead (1), Prior approval New dwellinghouses on terrace building in commercial or mixed use (1), Deed of Variation/Modification (1), County Deemed Permission (Reg 3) (1), Crown Development (1), Prior approval : Installation or alteration etc of solar equipment on non-domestic premises (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

Quarter	Decided	Approved	Approval rate
Q3 2023	128	116	90.6%
Q4 2023	408	369	90.4%
Q1 2024	456	406	89.0%
Q2 2024	425	364	85.6%
Q3 2024	455	403	88.6%
Q4 2024	393	355	90.3%
Q1 2025	384	347	90.4%
Q2 2025	464	423	91.2%
Q3 2025	429	381	88.8%
Q4 2025	432	390	90.3%
Q1 2026	379	350	92.3%
Q2 2026	232	215	92.7%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 486 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 84.0% in Upper Weald to 92.4% in Isle of Oxney, a gap of 8.4 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Weald Central	352	307	45	87.2%
Weald North	302	261	41	86.4%
Weald South	297	263	34	88.6%
Biddenden	256	229	27	89.5%
Isle of Oxney	237	219	18	92.4%
Wye with Hinxhill	219	195	24	89.0%
Rolvenden & Tenterden West	217	199	18	91.7%
Downs West	202	186	16	92.1%
Victoria	201	180	21	89.6%
Upper Weald	187	157	30	84.0%
Tenterden North	175	159	16	90.9%
Saxon Shore	165	143	22	86.7%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Ashford?

Across all application types, 90.1% of 4,745 applications decided in Ashford since June 2023 were approved.

Do I need planning permission in Ashford?

It depends on the project and the property. Many home projects fall under permitted development rights, but constraints such as conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions change what needs permission at a specific address. See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.

Do I need a planning consultant in Ashford?

Many home projects do not need one. A straightforward extension on an unconstrained property is often handled directly with the council, or with an architect or agent preparing the drawings. A consultant is more likely to earn their fee where the site is constrained, the council has refused similar schemes, or an appeal is in prospect. Understanding your property's constraints and the council's recent decisions first makes any conversation with a professional a better-informed one.

Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights, Article 4 directions and planning costs.

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