Planiverse / Authorities / Bath and North East Somerset

Planning permission in Bath and North East Somerset

In the last 12 months, 98.1% of home project applications were approved in Bath and North East Somerset (209 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 57 days).

Across all application types, 95.9% of 5,201 applications decided since April 2023 were approved. Based on Bath and North East Somerset's public planning register. Data last updated: 13 May 2026.

6,535Total applications
5,201Decided
95.9%Approval rate (of decided)
4,989 Approved+212 Refused+283 Withdrawn+966 Pending+85 Outcome not determined=6,535 Total
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By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Protected tree works (TPO) 1,577 1,568 9
99.4%
Discharging planning conditions 808 786 22
97.3%
Listed Building Consent 788 771 17
97.8%
Full planning applications 772 733 39
94.9%
Changing a planning condition (S73) 217 209 8
96.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 211 180 31
85.3%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 198 179 19
90.4%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 125 112 13
89.6%
Advertisement Consent 115 104 11
90.4%
Prior approval (permitted development) 63 57 6
90.5%
Regulation 13 Application 59 59 0 no refusals recorded
Consultation 54 46 8
85.2%
Tree works in a conservation area 34 34 0 no refusals recorded
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 30 27 3
90.0%
Outline Planning 24 19 5
79.2%
Circular 14/90 (O'head Electric Lines) 21 20 1
95.2%
Other* 105 85 20 mixed types

Regulation 13 Application: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

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

* Other combines smaller categories: Permission in Principle (15), Modify S106A Obligation (14), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (13), Change of Use (10), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (8), Regulation 3 Application (8), Hedgerow Removal (7), Enlargement dwelling additional storeys (4), Demolition (4), Environmental impact screening and scoping (3), Phone masts and telecoms (3), Temp Recreational Campsites Notification (3), Tree Works in Con Area 5 days (3), Application for Variation of LB Conditio (2), Householder PD Notification (2), Decision Quashed (1), Tree Works to TPO 5 days (1), Agricultural PD (Approval) (1), Local Development Order (1), Erec, extn or alt of a university bdg (1), S106 Securing Gain Sites BNG (1).

Quarterly Trend

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

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 156 143
91.7%
Q4 2023 502 481
95.8%
Q1 2024 371 356
96.0%
Q2 2024 368 358
97.3%
Q3 2024 199 187
94.0%
Q4 2024 426 413
96.9%
Q1 2025 415 394
94.9%
Q2 2025 420 401
95.5%
Q3 2025 588 566
96.3%
Q4 2025 702 680
96.9%
Q1 2026 508 483
95.1%
Q2 2026 259 251
96.9%
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 398 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 93.8% in Bathavon North to 99.1% in Widcombe And Lyncombe, a gap of 5.3 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Kingsmead 645 620 25
96.1%
Bathwick 485 477 8
98.4%
Widcombe And Lyncombe 450 446 4
99.1%
Lansdown 370 360 10
97.3%
Bathavon South 286 272 14
95.1%
Walcot 262 253 9
96.6%
Bathavon North 242 227 15
93.8%
Chew Valley 223 210 13
94.2%
Weston 210 206 4
98.1%
Lambridge 193 189 4
97.9%
Newbridge 166 164 2
98.8%
Combe Down 166 158 8
95.2%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Bath and North East Somerset?
In the last 12 months, 98.1% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Bath and North East Somerset, based on 209 decided applications. Across all application types, 95.9% of 5,201 applications decided since April 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Bath and North East Somerset?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Bath and North East Somerset in the last 12 months was 57 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Bath and North East Somerset?
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 Bath and North East Somerset?
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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