Planning permission in Boston

In the last 12 months, 92.9% of full planning applications were approved in Boston (70 decided). A typical decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 93.8% of 1,378 applications decided since April 2023 were approved. Based on Boston's public planning register. Data last updated: 28 May 2026.

2,061Total applications

1,378Decided

93.8%Approval rate (of decided)

1,292 Approved+86 Refused+53 Withdrawn+0 Pending+630 Outcome not determined=2,061 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	528	499	29	94.5%
Discharging planning conditions	209	209	0	no refusals recorded
Consultation to BBC	108	107	1	99.1%
Protected tree works (TPO)	94	86	8	outcome not determined
Listed Building Consent	73	67	6	91.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	67	65	2	97.0%
Full Planning (Major)	58	53	5	91.4%
Advertisement Consent	50	46	4	92.0%
Prior approval (permitted development)	37	29	8	78.4%
Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q)	24	19	5	79.2%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	23	20	3	87.0%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	20	20	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	87	72	15	mixed types

Discharging planning conditions: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Protected tree works (TPO): 307 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.

Changing a planning condition (S73): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Outline Planning (18), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (15), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (13), Enforcement (11), Notification - NFA (6), Notification (4), Environmental impact screening and scoping (3), Phone masts and telecoms (3), Permission in Prinicple (2), Prior Notification of Agricultural Development (2), Exemption Application - Electricity Act (2), Prior Notification Part 1 - Householder (2), S73 - Major (1), Prior Notification Part 3 - Use Classes (1), Application for works affecting a TPO (1), S73 - Non-Major (1), Demolition (1), Prior Notification Part 11 - Demolition (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	43	41	95.3%
Q4 2023	108	102	94.4%
Q1 2024	120	111	92.5%
Q2 2024	149	143	96.0%
Q3 2024	129	123	95.3%
Q4 2024	148	141	95.3%
Q1 2025	123	111	90.2%
Q2 2025	144	135	93.8%
Q3 2025	89	77	86.5%
Q4 2025	98	94	95.9%
Q1 2026	83	76	91.6%
Q2 2026	44	41	93.2%

By Ward

All wards, across all years.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
No ward data available

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Boston?

Across all application types, 93.8% of 1,378 applications decided in Boston since April 2023 were approved.

Do I need planning permission in Boston?

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 Boston?

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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