Planning permission in Bexley

In the last 12 months, 79.5% of full planning applications were approved in Bexley (44 decided).

Across all application types, 85.3% of 4,774 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Bexley's public planning register. Data last updated: 19 July 2026.

5,306Total applications

4,774Decided

85.3%Approval rate (of decided)

4,070 Approved+704 Refused+139 Withdrawn+57 Pending+336 Outcome not determined=5,306 Total

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Decision Level

5,251Delegated

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	2,949	2,526	423	85.7%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	620	524	96	84.5%
Discharging planning conditions	483	433	50	89.6%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	223	182	41	81.6%
Minor Amendment Application	133	113	20	85.0%
Protected tree works (TPO)	94	70	24	74.5%
Advertisement Consent	77	73	4	94.8%
Phone masts and telecoms	72	71	1	98.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	34	26	8	76.5%
Prior approval (permitted development)	33	21	12	63.6%
Other*	56	31	25	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: GPDO 8 Week Consultation (12), dwellings on detached blocks of flats (8), Listed Building Consent (6), Commercial/Business (E)-mixed use/flats (5), Solar Photovoltaics (PV) non domestic (4), Outline Planning (3), Environmental impact screening and scoping (3), Prior - additional storey(s) extension (3), Takeaways Betting shops etc to dwellings (2), Adjoining Local Authority Consultation (2), Tree works in a conservation area (2), Permission in Principle (2), Flats on detached comm/mixed use bldgs (1), Change of Use (1), Technical Details Consent (1), Hazardous Substances Consent Application (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	227	196	86.3%
Q4 2023	495	422	85.3%
Q1 2024	491	428	87.2%
Q2 2024	497	412	82.9%
Q3 2024	497	422	84.9%
Q4 2024	482	407	84.4%
Q1 2025	429	363	84.6%
Q2 2025	543	493	90.8%
Q3 2025	76	65	85.5%
Q4 2025	23	19	82.6%
Q1 2026	14	9	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 585 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 80.6% in BELVEDERE to 88.0% in CROOK LOG, a gap of 7.4 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
BEXLEYHEATH	440	374	66	85.0%
BLACKFEN & LAMORBEY	372	314	58	84.4%
FALCONWOOD & WELLING	363	314	49	86.5%
SIDCUP	363	315	48	86.8%
CROOK LOG	358	315	43	88.0%
ST MARYS & ST JAMES	352	298	54	84.7%
BLENDON & PENHILL	332	275	57	82.8%
BELVEDERE	289	233	56	80.6%
WEST HEATH	283	245	38	86.6%
CRAYFORD	271	238	33	87.8%
EAST WICKHAM	256	225	31	87.9%
ERITH	227	192	35	84.6%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Bexley?

Across all application types, 85.3% of 4,774 applications decided in Bexley since January 2023 were approved.

Do I need planning permission in Bexley?

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 Bexley?

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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