Planning permission in Canterbury

In the last 12 months, 96.4% of home project applications were approved in Canterbury (139 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about ten weeks (median 69 days).

Across all application types, 96.7% of 3,199 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Canterbury's public planning register. Data last updated: 8 April 2026.

3,864Total applications
3,199Decided
96.7%Approval rate (of decided)
3,093 Approved+106 Refused+106 Withdrawn+354 Pending+205 Outcome not determined=3,864 Total
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By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 1,213 1,135 78
93.6%
Conservation Area Consent 922 921 1
99.9%
Discharging planning conditions 330 330 0 no refusals recorded
Listed Building Consent 188 183 5
97.3%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 154 153 1
99.4%
Protected tree works (TPO) 140 137 3
97.9%
Advertisement Consent 82 77 5
93.9%
Changing a planning condition (S73) 74 72 2
97.3%
Other* 96 85 11 mixed types

Discharging planning conditions: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Larger extensions (householder prior approval) (19), Farming consultation (16), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (7), Prior - light ind to dwlg (7), Prior - St alne solar panel non domestic (7), Outline Planning (6), Prior - agricultural to dwlg (6), Environmental impact screening and scoping (5), Demolition (4), Electricity board consultation (4), Variation of Legal Agreement (3), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (2), Prior - offices to dwelling (2), Cons of Hab and Species Regs (2), Forestry Commission Consult (2), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (1), Phone masts and telecoms (1), Enlarg dwlg by construct of add storeys (1), Hedgerow Removal (1).

Quarterly Trend

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

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 124 121
97.6%
Q4 2023 251 235
93.6%
Q1 2024 169 167
98.8%
Q2 2024 275 266
96.7%
Q3 2024 310 292
94.2%
Q4 2024 269 257
95.5%
Q1 2025 261 255
97.7%
Q2 2025 256 251
98.0%
Q3 2025 249 244
98.0%
Q4 2025 276 269
97.5%
Q1 2026 282 275
97.5%
Q2 2026 6 6 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 325 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 94.0% in Seasalter to 98.8% in Little Stour And Adisham, a gap of 4.8 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Gorrell 309 303 6
98.1%
Westgate 294 281 13
95.6%
Chartham And Stone Street 267 254 13
95.1%
Nailbourne 217 214 3
98.6%
Barton 213 207 6
97.2%
Chestfield 187 184 3
98.4%
Sturry 187 177 10
94.7%
Blean Forest 184 180 4
97.8%
Heron 182 174 8
95.6%
Seasalter 168 158 10
94.0%
Little Stour And Adisham 166 164 2
98.8%
Wincheap 145 140 5
96.6%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Canterbury?
In the last 12 months, 96.4% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Canterbury, based on 139 decided applications. Across all application types, 96.7% of 3,199 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Canterbury?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Canterbury in the last 12 months was 69 days (about ten weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Canterbury?
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 Canterbury?
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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