In the last 12 months, 95.1% of full planning applications were approved in Canterbury (244 decided). A typical decision takes about ten weeks (median 70 days).
Across all application types on record (2023-01-18–2026-06-19): 96.7% of 3,208 decisions approved.
| Category | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Planning Application | 1,213 | 1,135 | 78 | |
| Conservation Area Consent | 922 | 921 | 1 | |
| Discharge of Conditions | 331 | 331 | 0 | |
| Listed Building Consent | 188 | 183 | 5 | |
| Non-Material Amendment (S96a) | 154 | 153 | 1 | |
| Tree Works (TPO) | 140 | 137 | 3 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 82 | 77 | 5 | |
| Variation/Removal of Conditions (S73) | 74 | 72 | 2 | |
| Householder (Prior Approval) | 19 | 19 | 0 | |
| Farming consultation | 16 | 14 | 2 | |
| Reserved Matters | 7 | 7 | 0 | |
| Prior - light ind to dwlg | 7 | 7 | 0 | |
| Prior - St alne solar panel non domestic | 7 | 7 | 0 | |
| Outline Planning | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| Prior - agricultural to dwlg | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| Environmental Impact Assessment (Screening/Scoping) | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| Demolition | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Electricity board consultation | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing) | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| Variation of Legal Agreement | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Prior - offices to dwelling | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Cons of Hab and Species Regs | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Forestry Commission Consult | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Tree Works (Conservation Area) | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Telecommunications | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Enlarg dwlg by construct of add storeys | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Hedgerow Removal | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Quarter | Decided | Approved | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | 241 | 231 | |
| 2023-Q4 | 251 | 235 | |
| 2024-Q1 | 169 | 167 | |
| 2024-Q2 | 275 | 266 | |
| 2024-Q3 | 310 | 292 | |
| 2024-Q4 | 269 | 257 | |
| 2025-Q1 | 261 | 255 | |
| 2025-Q2 | 256 | 251 | |
| 2025-Q3 | 249 | 244 | |
| 2025-Q4 | 276 | 269 | |
| 2026-Q1 | 282 | 275 | |
| 2026-Q2 | 15 | 14 |
| Ward | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorrell | 309 | 303 | 6 | |
| Westgate | 294 | 281 | 13 | |
| Chartham And Stone Street | 267 | 254 | 13 | |
| Nailbourne | 217 | 214 | 3 | |
| Barton | 213 | 207 | 6 | |
| Sturry | 187 | 177 | 10 | |
| Chestfield | 187 | 184 | 3 | |
| Blean Forest | 184 | 180 | 4 | |
| Heron | 182 | 174 | 8 | |
| Seasalter | 168 | 158 | 10 | |
| Little Stour And Adisham | 166 | 164 | 2 | |
| Wincheap | 145 | 140 | 5 |
Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.