Planning permission in Dacorum

In the last 12 months, 93.8% of home project applications were approved in Dacorum (211 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 54 days).

Across all application types, 90.2% of 3,273 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Dacorum's public planning register. Data last updated: 9 August 2026.

4,238Total applications

3,273Decided

90.2%Approval rate (of decided)

2,951 Approved+322 Refused+222 Withdrawn+92 Pending+651 Outcome not determined=4,238 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	1,079	988	91	91.6%
Discharging planning conditions	422	401	21	95.0%
Tree works in a conservation area	349	347	2	99.4%
Full planning applications	299	226	73	75.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	256	231	25	90.2%
Protected tree works (TPO)	240	232	8	96.7%
Listed Building Consent	117	105	12	89.7%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	115	89	26	77.4%
Prior approval (permitted development)	93	82	11	88.2%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	89	80	9	89.9%
Retention of Development	58	42	16	72.4%
Advertisement Consent	39	34	5	87.2%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	30	27	3	90.0%
Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q)	21	13	8	61.9%
Other*	66	54	12	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Full Planning (Major) (14), Phone masts and telecoms (9), Outline Planning (8), Environmental impact screening and scoping (8), Details Required by Legal Agreement (8), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (5), Agricultural Building to Flexible Use (4), Variation of Legal Agreement (3), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (2), Major Public Service Infrastructure (2), Light industry to Residential Prior Appr (1), Building upwards to create dwellinghouse (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	152	139	91.4%
Q4 2023	244	223	91.4%
Q1 2024	262	221	84.4%
Q2 2024	255	217	85.1%
Q3 2024	248	225	90.7%
Q4 2024	293	263	89.8%
Q1 2025	235	216	91.9%
Q2 2025	265	250	94.3%
Q3 2025	282	261	92.6%
Q4 2025	279	261	93.5%
Q1 2026	253	223	88.1%
Q2 2026	67	62	92.5%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	11	8	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 319 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 83.2% in Watling to 93.2% in Berkhamsted Castle, a gap of 10.0 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Bovingdon / Flaunden / Chipperfield	398	358	40	89.9%
Berkhamsted East	281	261	20	92.9%
Ashridge	230	208	22	90.4%
Berkhamsted Castle	219	204	15	93.2%
Tring West & Rural	214	195	19	91.1%
Watling	191	159	32	83.2%
Berkhamsted West	190	175	15	92.1%
Apsley And Corner Hall	135	123	12	91.1%
Kings Langley	134	112	22	83.6%
Leverstock Green	130	121	9	93.1%
Boxmoor	120	109	11	90.8%
Aldbury & Wigginton	112	99	13	88.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Dacorum?

In the last 12 months, 93.8% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Dacorum, based on 211 decided applications. Across all application types, 90.2% of 3,273 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Dacorum?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Dacorum in the last 12 months was 54 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Dacorum?

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 Dacorum?

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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