In the last 12 months, 98.0% of full planning applications were approved in Cornwall (51 decided). A typical decision takes about seven weeks (median 49 days).
Across all application types, 95.5% of 4,512 applications decided since September 2021 were approved. Based on Cornwall's public planning register. Data last updated: 13 May 2026.
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All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.
| Category | Decided | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full planning applications | 1,361 | 1,302 | 59 | |
| Discharging planning conditions | 889 | 889 | 0 | no refusals recorded |
| Tree works in a conservation area | 381 | 381 | 0 | no refusals recorded |
| Protected tree works (TPO) | 375 | 362 | 13 | |
| Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) | 284 | 242 | 42 | |
| Changing a planning condition (S73) | 201 | 185 | 16 | |
| Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) | 163 | 147 | 16 | |
| Listed Building Consent | 147 | 143 | 4 | |
| Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) | 133 | 131 | 2 | |
| Prior approval (permitted development) | 86 | 84 | 2 | |
| Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) | 85 | 67 | 18 | |
| Affordable Housing S106 Modification | 65 | 65 | 0 | no refusals recorded |
| Overhead Electricity Lines | 42 | 42 | 0 | no refusals recorded |
| Phone masts and telecoms | 39 | 35 | 4 | outcome not determined |
| Environmental impact screening and scoping | 34 | 34 | 0 | no refusals recorded |
| Outline Planning | 32 | 24 | 8 | |
| Permission in Principle | 31 | 18 | 13 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 27 | 27 | 0 | no refusals recorded |
| Exception Notice (was 5 Day Notice) | 25 | 25 | 0 | outcome not determined |
| Remove/Vary Section 106 - NOT BA | 23 | 22 | 1 | |
| Larger extensions (householder prior approval) | 21 | 21 | 0 | no refusals recorded |
| Agricultural/Forestry prior notification | 20 | 20 | 0 | no refusals recorded |
| Other* | 48 | 42 | 6 | mixed types |
Discharging planning conditions: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.
Tree works in a conservation area: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.
Affordable Housing S106 Modification: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.
Overhead Electricity Lines: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.
Phone masts and telecoms: 352 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.
Environmental impact screening and scoping: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.
Advertisement Consent: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.
Exception Notice (was 5 Day Notice): 250 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.
Larger extensions (householder prior approval): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.
Agricultural/Forestry prior notification: 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) (15), Hedgerow Removal (8), Part 17 Class K (GPDO) 2015 (Boreholes) (6), Remove/Vary Section 52 Agreement (6), Part 17 Class B (GPDO) 2015 (5), Application under Section 73 of TCP Act (4), Review of Mineral Planning Permissions (2), Crown Development (2).
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 | 399 | 381 | |
| Q4 2023 | 835 | 792 | |
| Q1 2024 | 807 | 774 | |
| Q2 2024 | 416 | 391 | |
| Q3 2024 | 71 | 67 | |
| Q4 2024 | 30 | 29 | |
| Q1 2025 | 12 | 11 | sample too small |
| Q2 2025 | 4 | 3 | sample too small |
| Q3 2025 | 5 | 5 | sample too small |
| Q4 2025 | 3 | 3 | sample too small |
| Q1 2026 | 71 | 70 | |
| Q2 2026 | 138 | 131 |
The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 237 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.
Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 91.6% in Crowan, Sithney And Wendron to 100.0% in Truro Moresk And Trehaverne, a gap of 8.4 percentage points.
| Ward | Decided | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wadebridge East And St Minver | 124 | 120 | 4 | |
| St Goran, Tregony And The Roseland | 114 | 108 | 6 | |
| Mylor, Perranarworthal And Ponsanooth | 110 | 104 | 6 | |
| St Ives East, Lelant And Carbis Bay | 102 | 95 | 7 | |
| Padstow | 100 | 94 | 6 | |
| St Columb Major, St Mawgan And St Wenn | 97 | 90 | 7 | |
| Long Rock, Marazion And St Erth | 94 | 90 | 4 | |
| Truro Moresk And Trehaverne | 89 | 89 | 0 | |
| Feock And Kea | 86 | 81 | 5 | |
| Mullion And St Keverne | 83 | 79 | 4 | |
| Crowan, Sithney And Wendron | 83 | 76 | 7 | |
| St Teath And Tintagel | 82 | 80 | 2 |
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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