Planning permission in Cambridge

In the last 12 months, 94.2% of home project applications were approved in Cambridge (277 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 94.4% of 6,959 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on Cambridge's public planning register. Data last updated: 9 August 2026.

9,329Total applications

6,959Decided

94.4%Approval rate (of decided)

6,570 Approved+389 Refused+407 Withdrawn+1,671 Pending+292 Outcome not determined=9,329 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Protected tree works (TPO)	1,902	1,807	95	95.0%
Discharging planning conditions	1,865	1,794	71	96.2%
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	1,411	1,332	79	94.4%
Full planning applications	443	393	50	88.7%
Listed Building Consent	294	285	9	96.9%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	268	240	28	89.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	223	223	0	no refusals recorded
Changing a planning condition (S73)	212	206	6	97.2%
Prior approval (permitted development)	147	116	31	78.9%
Advertisement Consent	124	116	8	93.5%
Other*	70	58	12	mixed types

Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (19), Outline Planning (15), Environmental impact screening and scoping (12), S106A (8), Tree works in a conservation area (7), Consultation with Neighbouring Authority (6), Permission in Principle (3).

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	253	238	94.1%
Q4 2023	600	552	92.0%
Q1 2024	577	532	92.2%
Q2 2024	529	501	94.7%
Q3 2024	556	532	95.7%
Q4 2024	648	612	94.4%
Q1 2025	617	585	94.8%
Q2 2025	590	547	92.7%
Q3 2025	670	646	96.4%
Q4 2025	657	630	95.9%
Q1 2026	550	527	95.8%
Q2 2026	17	17	sample too small
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	15	15	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 531 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 91.9% in West Chesterton to 97.9% in Newnham, a gap of 6.0 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Market	698	653	45	93.6%
Newnham	670	656	14	97.9%
Queen Ediths	593	560	33	94.4%
West Chesterton	442	406	36	91.9%
Petersfield	438	409	29	93.4%
Castle	410	392	18	95.6%
Trumpington	310	295	15	95.2%
Romsey	291	276	15	94.8%
Abbey	285	263	22	92.3%
Cherry Hinton	246	235	11	95.5%
East Chesterton	245	233	12	95.1%
Arbury	221	204	17	92.3%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Cambridge?

In the last 12 months, 94.2% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Cambridge, based on 277 decided applications. Across all application types, 94.4% of 6,959 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Cambridge?

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

Do I need planning permission in Cambridge?

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 Cambridge?

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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