In the last 12 months, 92.3% of full planning applications were approved in Darlington (247 decided). A typical decision takes about ten weeks (median 68 days).
Across all application types on record (2023-01-11–2026-06-11): 93.6% of 2,692 decisions approved.
| Category | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Planning Application | 978 | 926 | 52 | |
| Tree Works (TPO) | 373 | 326 | 47 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) | 251 | 218 | 33 | |
| Discharge of Conditions | 243 | 243 | 0 | |
| Telecommunications | 236 | 236 | 0 | |
| Non-Material Amendment (S96a) | 155 | 155 | 0 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 137 | 112 | 25 | |
| Listed Building Consent | 115 | 113 | 2 | |
| Prior Approval (Other) | 53 | 49 | 4 | |
| Householder | 33 | 30 | 3 | |
| Tree Works (Conservation Area) | 33 | 32 | 1 | |
| District Council Application | 23 | 23 | 0 | |
| Change of Use | 21 | 17 | 4 | |
| Reserved Matters | 12 | 11 | 1 | |
| Overhead Power Lines | 8 | 8 | 0 | |
| Demolition | 8 | 8 | 0 | |
| Environmental Impact Assessment (Screening/Scoping) | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| Outline Planning | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Aviation PD Rights Teesside Airport | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Hedgerow Removal | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Habitat and Species Regs | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Mitigation Land - BNG | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Certificate of Alternative Development | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Assets of Community Value | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Quarter | Decided | Approved | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | 184 | 172 | |
| 2023-Q4 | 228 | 212 | |
| 2024-Q1 | 181 | 168 | |
| 2024-Q2 | 208 | 197 | |
| 2024-Q3 | 226 | 215 | |
| 2024-Q4 | 188 | 178 | |
| 2025-Q1 | 200 | 192 | |
| 2025-Q2 | 226 | 215 | |
| 2025-Q3 | 251 | 237 | |
| 2025-Q4 | 257 | 230 | |
| 2026-Q1 | 212 | 202 | |
| 2026-Q2 | 19 | 19 |
| Ward | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadberge And Middleton St George | 329 | 310 | 19 | |
| Heighington And Coniscliffe | 296 | 288 | 8 | |
| Park East | 263 | 237 | 26 | |
| Park West | 223 | 215 | 8 | |
| Hurworth | 189 | 176 | 13 | |
| College | 185 | 169 | 16 | |
| Brinkburn And Faverdale | 150 | 145 | 5 | |
| Northgate | 137 | 122 | 15 | |
| Hummersknott | 137 | 127 | 10 | |
| Red Hall And Lingfield | 93 | 89 | 4 | |
| Pierremont | 92 | 83 | 9 | |
| Bank Top And Lascelles | 81 | 76 | 5 |
Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.