Planiverse / Authorities / Croydon

Planning permission in Croydon

In the last 12 months, 83.8% of home project applications were approved in Croydon (458 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about ten weeks (median 72 days).

Across all application types, 82.8% of 7,135 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on Croydon's public planning register. Data last updated: 4 July 2026.

8,188Total applications
7,135Decided
82.8%Approval rate (of decided)
5,910 Approved+1,225 Refused+150 Withdrawn+863 Pending+40 Outcome not determined=8,188 Total
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Decision Level
5,965Delegated
9Committee
By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 1,678 1,407 271
83.8%
Discharging planning conditions 1,270 1,270 0 no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 1,107 918 189
82.9%
Full planning applications 791 424 367
53.6%
Protected tree works (TPO) 626 523 103
83.5%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval) 391 329 62
84.1%
Tree works in a conservation area 261 261 0 no refusals recorded
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 203 203 0 no refusals recorded
Observations on permitted development 171 147 24
86.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 119 87 32
73.1%
Prior Appvl - Class E to (dwellings) C3 118 65 53
55.1%
Advertisement Consent 104 85 19
81.7%
Changing a planning condition (S73) 83 61 22
73.5%
Consultation from Adjoining Authority 50 44 6
88.0%
Outline Planning 43 11 32
25.6%
Listed Building Consent 22 15 7
68.2%
Phone masts and telecoms 22 8 14
36.4%
Other* 76 52 24 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.

Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Prior approval (permitted development) (15), Planning App Rec - On Public Register (12), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (11), Permission in Principle (7), Prior Appvl - solar PV equipment replace (6), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (5), Prior Appvl - Class AB upto 2 storeys (4), Prior Appvl - up to two storeys flats (4), LDC (Existing) Operations hatched (2), LDC (Existing) Use hatched (2), 5 Day Notification to Remove TPO(s) (2), Variation to S106 Legal Agreement (1), Prior Appvl - Class M A1/A2 to dwelling (1), Environmental impact screening and scoping (1), LDC (Proposed) Use coloured (1), LDC (Proposed) Operations coloured (1), Prior Appvl - Class O offices to houses (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 101 77
76.2%
Q4 2023 250 198
79.2%
Q1 2024 553 443
80.1%
Q2 2024 696 586
84.2%
Q3 2024 735 604
82.2%
Q4 2024 770 639
83.0%
Q1 2025 742 625
84.2%
Q2 2025 695 596
85.8%
Q3 2025 651 562
86.3%
Q4 2025 707 583
82.5%
Q1 2026 678 550
81.1%
Q2 2026 117 98
83.8%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 6 6 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 696 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 78.0% in South Croydon to 88.5% in Old Coulsdon, a gap of 10.5 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Purley And Woodcote 634 539 95
85.0%
Sanderstead 411 347 64
84.4%
Coulsdon Town 396 328 68
82.8%
South Croydon 363 283 80
78.0%
Crystal Palace And Upper Norwood 351 307 44
87.5%
Kenley 348 290 58
83.3%
Fairfield 348 295 53
84.8%
Norbury Park 342 278 64
81.3%
Waddon 294 251 43
85.4%
Old Coulsdon 261 231 30
88.5%
West Thornton 245 194 51
79.2%
South Norwood 242 202 40
83.5%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Croydon?
In the last 12 months, 83.8% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Croydon, based on 458 decided applications. Across all application types, 82.8% of 7,135 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Croydon?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Croydon in the last 12 months was 72 days (about ten weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Croydon?
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 Croydon?
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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