Planning permission in East Hertfordshire

In the last 12 months, 85.5% of home project applications were approved in East Hertfordshire (249 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eleven weeks (median 77 days).

Across all application types, 81.7% of 4,235 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on East Hertfordshire's public planning register. Data last updated: 22 August 2026.

5,501Total applications
4,235Decided
81.7%Approval rate (of decided)
3,459 Approved+776 Refused+298 Withdrawn+963 Pending+5 Outcome not determined=5,501 Total
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By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 1,421 1,154 267
81.2%
Discharging planning conditions 945 837 108
88.6%
Full planning applications 571 399 172
69.9%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 380 322 58
84.7%
Listed Building Consent 299 264 35
88.3%
Changing a planning condition (S73) 126 118 8
93.7%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 122 101 21
82.8%
Prior approval (permitted development) 72 54 18
75.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 55 38 17
69.1%
Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) 52 31 21
59.6%
Advertisement Consent 51 47 4
92.2%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval) 41 32 9
78.0%
Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) 21 13 8
61.9%
Other* 79 49 30 mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Outline Planning (15), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (12), Consultation with County Planning (12), Environmental impact screening and scoping (9), Permission in Principle (9), Change of Use (6), Phone masts and telecoms (6), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (5), Electricity Form B Application (3), Consultation rec'd from neighbouring LA (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 132 92
69.7%
Q4 2023 364 300
82.4%
Q1 2024 418 332
79.4%
Q2 2024 447 360
80.5%
Q3 2024 421 353
83.8%
Q4 2024 466 389
83.5%
Q1 2025 429 367
85.5%
Q2 2025 318 248
78.0%
Q3 2025 210 171
81.4%
Q4 2025 288 227
78.8%
Q1 2026 304 270
88.8%
Q2 2026 101 88
87.1%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 11 10 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 413 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 70.9% in Hertford Rural to 88.8% in Hertford Castle, a gap of 17.9 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Buntingford 288 225 63
78.1%
Bishop's Stortford North 263 222 41
84.4%
Hertford Castle 260 231 29
88.8%
Sawbridgeworth 251 193 58
76.9%
Aston, Datchworth & Walkern 231 186 45
80.5%
Hertford Bengeo 229 188 41
82.1%
Little Hadham & The Pelhams 225 164 61
72.9%
Braughing & Standon 221 184 37
83.3%
Hertford Rural 213 151 62
70.9%
Much Hadham 195 160 35
82.1%
Ware Priory 168 142 26
84.5%
The Mundens 148 118 30
79.7%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in East Hertfordshire?
In the last 12 months, 85.5% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in East Hertfordshire, based on 249 decided applications. Across all application types, 81.7% of 4,235 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in East Hertfordshire?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in East Hertfordshire in the last 12 months was 77 days (about eleven weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in East Hertfordshire?
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 East Hertfordshire?
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.

Reports for East Hertfordshire are coming soon. Look up an address now to see its constraints, and join the waitlist.