In the last 12 months, 82.8% of full planning applications were approved in Colchester (627 decided). A typical decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).
Across all application types on record (2023-02-24–2026-05-11): 84.1% of 4,144 decisions approved.
| Category | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Planning Application | 2,409 | 1,931 | 478 | |
| Discharge of Conditions | 561 | 561 | 0 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) | 264 | 206 | 58 | |
| Listed Building Consent | 203 | 177 | 26 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 196 | 160 | 36 | |
| Variation/Removal of Conditions (S73) | 140 | 117 | 23 | |
| Change of Use | 86 | 85 | 1 | |
| Prior Approval (Other) | 83 | 82 | 1 | |
| Householder | 63 | 63 | 0 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing) | 55 | 41 | 14 | |
| Outline Planning | 23 | 6 | 17 | |
| Reserved Matters | 20 | 19 | 1 | |
| Class J installation or alteration of solar equip on non-domestic prem | 15 | 15 | 0 | |
| Demolition | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| Permission in Principle | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| Class R agricultural buildings to a flexible commercial use | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| Extensions of top of dwelling | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| Major Public Service Infrastructure Developments (10week) | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Class M retail or betting office or pay day loan shop to dwellinghouse | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Tree Works (Conservation Area) | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Full (8 Week Determination) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Quarter | Decided | Approved | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | 327 | 280 | |
| 2023-Q4 | 337 | 285 | |
| 2024-Q1 | 364 | 311 | |
| 2024-Q2 | 431 | 343 | |
| 2024-Q3 | 366 | 300 | |
| 2024-Q4 | 348 | 301 | |
| 2025-Q1 | 349 | 286 | |
| 2025-Q2 | 385 | 309 | |
| 2025-Q3 | 352 | 284 | |
| 2025-Q4 | 321 | 288 | |
| 2026-Q1 | 341 | 307 | |
| 2026-Q2 | 94 | 77 |
| Ward | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural North | 644 | 550 | 94 | |
| Castle | 518 | 423 | 95 | |
| Mersea & Pyefleet | 417 | 358 | 59 | |
| Lexden & Braiswick | 369 | 312 | 57 | |
| Marks Tey & Layer | 346 | 289 | 57 | |
| Stanway | 223 | 195 | 28 | |
| New Town & Christ Church | 198 | 143 | 55 | |
| Mile End | 184 | 159 | 25 | |
| Prettygate | 183 | 155 | 28 | |
| Wivenhoe | 167 | 151 | 16 | |
| Tiptree | 154 | 117 | 37 | |
| Old Heath & The Hythe | 137 | 117 | 20 |
Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.