Planning permission in Bristol, City of

In the last 12 months, 91.1% of home project applications were approved in Bristol, City of (495 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 62 days).

Across all application types, 91.9% of 9,871 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Bristol, City of's public planning register. Data last updated: 11 April 2026.

13,548Total applications

9,871Decided

91.9%Approval rate (of decided)

9,071 Approved+800 Refused+432 Withdrawn+1,381 Pending+1,864 Outcome not determined=13,548 Total

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Decision Level

10,942Delegated

41Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Tree works in a conservation area	2,427	2,427	0	no refusals recorded
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	2,164	1,948	216	90.0%
Discharging planning conditions	1,526	1,525	1	99.9%
Full planning applications	1,379	1,072	307	77.7%
Protected tree works (TPO)	612	584	28	95.4%
Listed Building Consent	570	519	51	91.1%
Prior approval (permitted development)	490	418	72	85.3%
Advertisement Consent	276	227	49	82.2%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	253	233	20	92.1%
Application submitted to PINS under S62A	75	45	30	60.0%
Environmental impact screening and scoping	24	24	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	75	49	26	mixed types

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

Environmental impact screening and scoping: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Outline Planning (16), Phone masts and telecoms (15), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (13), Requirement for Development Order (10), Permission in principle (9), Other Consultations (5), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (3), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (3), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (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	174	168	96.6%
Q4 2023	586	566	96.6%
Q1 2024	986	889	90.2%
Q2 2024	967	848	87.7%
Q3 2024	1,021	925	90.6%
Q4 2024	978	890	91.0%
Q1 2025	919	849	92.4%
Q2 2025	986	889	90.2%
Q3 2025	997	933	93.6%
Q4 2025	990	930	93.9%
Q1 2026	844	773	91.6%
Q2 2026	24	24	100.0%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 691 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 88.7% in Ashley to 96.4% in Stoke Bishop, a gap of 7.7 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Clifton	842	789	53	93.7%
Stoke Bishop	826	796	30	96.4%
Central	815	751	64	92.1%
Westbury-on-Trym & Henleaze	654	610	44	93.3%
Clifton Down	607	580	27	95.6%
Cotham	553	532	21	96.2%
Avonmouth & Lawrence Weston	471	450	21	95.5%
Lawrence Hill	466	433	33	92.9%
Ashley	390	346	44	88.7%
Redland	375	345	30	92.0%
Southville	327	296	31	90.5%
Hotwells & Harbourside	276	255	21	92.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Bristol, City of?

In the last 12 months, 91.1% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Bristol, City of, based on 495 decided applications. Across all application types, 91.9% of 9,871 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Bristol, City of?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Bristol, City of in the last 12 months was 62 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Bristol, City of?

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 Bristol, City of?

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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