Planning permission in Braintree

In the last 12 months, 88.8% of home project applications were approved in Braintree (143 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 88.6% of 2,773 applications decided since June 2023 were approved. Based on Braintree's public planning register. Data last updated: 29 May 2026.

3,718Total applications

2,773Decided

88.6%Approval rate (of decided)

2,457 Approved+316 Refused+177 Withdrawn+655 Pending+113 Outcome not determined=3,718 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	599	517	82	86.3%
Discharging planning conditions	476	452	24	95.0%
Tree works in a conservation area	404	400	4	99.0%
Full planning applications	368	282	86	76.6%
Listed Building Consent	207	194	13	93.7%
Protected tree works (TPO)	173	158	15	91.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	166	140	26	84.3%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	93	81	12	87.1%
Prior approval (permitted development)	64	63	1	98.4%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	63	45	18	71.4%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	32	22	10	68.8%
Advertisement Consent	28	23	5	82.1%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	27	25	2	92.6%
Other*	73	55	18	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Consultation on ECC Gen Regs Application (16), Outline Planning (15), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (9), Phone masts and telecoms (7), Out of District Consultation (6), Overhead Electricity Lines (6), Environmental impact screening and scoping (4), S106A to modify or discharge S106 (4), Hedgerow Removal (2), Development Consent Order (2), NMA Consultation (for DCO) (1), Discharge of Requirements Consultation (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	149	126	84.6%
Q4 2023	257	232	90.3%
Q1 2024	182	160	87.9%
Q2 2024	240	211	87.9%
Q3 2024	244	218	89.3%
Q4 2024	259	223	86.1%
Q1 2025	226	210	92.9%
Q2 2025	238	209	87.8%
Q3 2025	279	257	92.1%
Q4 2025	238	213	89.5%
Q1 2026	241	212	88.0%
Q2 2026	44	39	88.6%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 255 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 78.2% in Silver End & Cressing to 93.5% in Braintree Central & Beckers Green, a gap of 15.3 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Three Fields	187	166	21	88.8%
Coggeshall	175	154	21	88.0%
The Colnes	147	133	14	90.5%
Kelvedon & Feering	133	121	12	91.0%
Hedingham	131	116	15	88.5%
Stour Valley South	129	115	14	89.1%
Silver End & Cressing	119	93	26	78.2%
Witham Central	118	104	14	88.1%
Hatfield Peverel & Terling	115	106	9	92.2%
Great Notley & Black Notley	96	85	11	88.5%
Bocking North	96	80	16	83.3%
Braintree Central & Beckers Green	92	86	6	93.5%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Braintree?

In the last 12 months, 88.8% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Braintree, based on 143 decided applications. Across all application types, 88.6% of 2,773 applications decided since June 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Braintree?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Braintree in the last 12 months was 56 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Braintree?

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 Braintree?

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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