Planning permission in Chesterfield

In the last 12 months, 86.0% of home project applications were approved in Chesterfield (136 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about twelve weeks (median 82 days).

Across all application types, 91.6% of 2,167 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Chesterfield's public planning register. Data last updated: 22 August 2026.

2,669Total applications

2,167Decided

91.6%Approval rate (of decided)

1,984 Approved+183 Refused+53 Withdrawn+372 Pending+77 Outcome not determined=2,669 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	711	652	59	91.7%
Discharging planning conditions	480	448	32	93.3%
Protected tree works (TPO)	320	302	18	94.4%
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	157	138	19	87.9%
Advertisement Consent	70	58	12	82.9%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	68	59	9	86.8%
Tree works in a conservation area	64	64	0	no refusals recorded
Listed Building Consent	51	47	4	92.2%
Removal/Variation of Cond	40	39	1	97.5%
Consultation with DCC and LA's	36	33	3	91.7%
Prior approval (permitted development)	27	23	4	85.2%
Temporary Permitted Development	24	24	0	no refusals recorded
Changing a planning condition (S73)	22	20	2	90.9%
Other*	97	77	20	mixed types

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

Temporary Permitted Development: 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), Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) (13), Outline Planning (12), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (11), Demolition (10), Change of Use (10), Biodiversity Gain Plan condition dischar (7), Phone masts and telecoms (5), Environmental Impact Assessment (4), Environmental impact screening and scoping (3), Prior Approval for Solar Panels (1), Permission in Principle (1), High Hedge (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	67	57	85.1%
Q4 2023	155	141	91.0%
Q1 2024	159	150	94.3%
Q2 2024	161	147	91.3%
Q3 2024	145	137	94.5%
Q4 2024	174	160	92.0%
Q1 2025	127	117	92.1%
Q2 2025	178	169	94.9%
Q3 2025	213	185	86.9%
Q4 2025	194	180	92.8%
Q1 2026	196	174	88.8%
Q2 2026	85	77	90.6%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	8	6	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 214 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 89.5% in Brimington North to 95.3% in Brimington South, a gap of 5.8 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Spire	350	325	25	92.9%
Brampton West & Loundsley Green	241	223	18	92.5%
Whittington	174	164	10	94.3%
Walton	169	154	15	91.1%
Staveley North	148	136	12	91.9%
Dunston	126	114	12	90.5%
Staveley Central	112	103	9	92.0%
Brockwell	102	94	8	92.2%
Staveley South	99	92	7	92.9%
Hasland	97	88	9	90.7%
Brimington North	95	85	10	89.5%
Brimington South	85	81	4	95.3%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Chesterfield?

In the last 12 months, 86.0% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Chesterfield, based on 136 decided applications. Across all application types, 91.6% of 2,167 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Chesterfield?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Chesterfield in the last 12 months was 82 days (about twelve weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Chesterfield?

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 Chesterfield?

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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