Planiverse / Authorities / Darlington

Planning permission in Darlington

Limited recent decision data is available for Darlington, so we don't show a headline approval rate here. The figures below cover all application types on record.

Across all application types, 93.6% of 2,700 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Darlington's public planning register. Data last updated: 22 August 2026.

3,062Total applications
2,700Decided
93.6%Approval rate (of decided)
2,527 Approved+173 Refused+87 Withdrawn+266 Pending+9 Outcome not determined=3,062 Total
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By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 978 926 52
94.7%
Protected tree works (TPO) 373 326 47
87.4%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 250 217 33
86.8%
Discharging planning conditions 248 248 0 no refusals recorded
Phone masts and telecoms 236 236 0 no refusals recorded
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 157 157 0 no refusals recorded
Advertisement Consent 137 112 25
81.8%
Listed Building Consent 115 113 2
98.3%
Prior approval (permitted development) 53 49 4
92.5%
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 33 30 3
90.9%
Tree works in a conservation area 33 32 1
97.0%
District Council Application 23 23 0 no refusals recorded
Change of Use 21 17 4
81.0%
Other* 43 41 2 mixed types

Discharging planning conditions: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Phone masts and telecoms: 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.

District Council Application: 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) (12), Overhead Power Lines (8), Demolition (8), Environmental impact screening and scoping (3), Outline Planning (2), Aviation PD Rights Teesside Airport (2), Hedgerow Removal (2), Habitat and Species Regs (1), Tree Felling/5 Day Notice (1), Mitigation Land - BNG (1), Certificate of Alternative Development (1), Assets of Community Value (1), Tree Felling/Pruning in a Con. Area (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 77 72
93.5%
Q4 2023 227 211
93.0%
Q1 2024 181 168
92.8%
Q2 2024 208 197
94.7%
Q3 2024 226 215
95.1%
Q4 2024 188 178
94.7%
Q1 2025 200 192
96.0%
Q2 2025 226 215
95.1%
Q3 2025 251 237
94.4%
Q4 2025 257 230
89.5%
Q1 2026 212 202
95.3%
Q2 2026 18 18 sample too small
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 10 10 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 229 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 89.1% in Northgate to 97.3% in Heighington And Coniscliffe, a gap of 8.2 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Sadberge And Middleton St George 330 311 19
94.2%
Heighington And Coniscliffe 297 289 8
97.3%
Park East 266 240 26
90.2%
Park West 225 217 8
96.4%
Hurworth 189 176 13
93.1%
College 185 169 16
91.4%
Brinkburn And Faverdale 152 147 5
96.7%
Northgate 138 123 15
89.1%
Hummersknott 137 127 10
92.7%
Red Hall And Lingfield 93 89 4
95.7%
Pierremont 92 83 9
90.2%
Bank Top And Lascelles 81 76 5
93.8%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Darlington?
Across all application types, 93.6% of 2,700 applications decided in Darlington since January 2023 were approved.
Do I need planning permission in Darlington?
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 Darlington?
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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