Planning permission in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

We don't yet have enough recent decisions in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to show a reliable approval rate. The figures below cover all application types on record.

Across all application types, 82.8% of 1,071 applications decided since January 2024 were approved. Based on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's public planning register. Data last updated: 5 April 2026.

1,225Total applications
1,071Decided
82.8%Approval rate (of decided)
887 Approved+184 Refused+48 Withdrawn+73 Pending+33 Outcome not determined=1,225 Total
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Decision Level
1,215Delegated
10Committee
By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 313 272 41
86.9%
Protected tree works (TPO) 279 251 28
90.0%
Full planning applications 218 152 66
69.7%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 61 48 13
78.7%
Tree works in a conservation area 48 48 0 no refusals recorded
Regulation 14 - Dead and Dangerous 33 33 0 no refusals recorded
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 25 19 6
76.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 22 12 10
54.5%
Prior approval (permitted development) 21 13 8
61.9%
Other* 51 39 12 mixed types

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

Regulation 14 - Dead and Dangerous: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Advertisement Consent (18), Outline Planning (11), Listed Building Consent (10), Change of Use (6), Changing a planning condition (S73) (3), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (3).

Quarterly Trend

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

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q1 2024 256 211
82.4%
Q2 2024 689 574
83.3%
Q3 2024 89 74
83.1%
Q4 2024 20 18
90.0%
Q1 2025 7 5 sample too small
Q2 2025 6 3 sample too small
Q3 2025 3 1 sample too small
Q2 2026 1 1 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 90 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 78.0% in Commons to 92.5% in Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe, a gap of 14.5 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Canford Cliffs 124 110 14
88.7%
Penn Hill 63 53 10
84.1%
Parkstone 61 50 11
82.0%
Talbot & Branksome Woods 52 41 11
78.8%
Bournemouth Central 47 40 7
85.1%
Broadstone 42 38 4
90.5%
Commons 41 32 9
78.0%
Mudeford, Stanpit & West Highcliffe 40 37 3
92.5%
Highcliffe & Walkford 38 35 3
92.1%
Bearwood & Merley 37 29 8
78.4%
Poole Town 37 34 3
91.9%
East Southbourne & Tuckton 35 31 4
88.6%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
Across all application types, 82.8% of 1,071 applications decided in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole since January 2024 were approved.
Do I need planning permission in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
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.

Reports for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are coming soon. Look up an address now to see its constraints, and join the waitlist.