Planning permission in East Staffordshire

In the last 12 months, 90.8% of home project applications were approved in East Staffordshire (282 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about sixteen weeks (median 111 days).

Across all application types, 92.5% of 5,996 applications decided since August 2021 were approved. Based on East Staffordshire's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

6,856Total applications

5,996Decided

92.5%Approval rate (of decided)

5,549 Approved+447 Refused+275 Withdrawn+388 Pending+197 Outcome not determined=6,856 Total

Reports for East Staffordshire are coming soon.

We are not yet generating property reports for East Staffordshire. You can still look up an address to see its planning constraints (conservation area, listed building, Article 4 direction, flood zone), and leave your email to hear when East Staffordshire reports go live.

Look up a property in East Staffordshire See a sample report

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	1,850	1,702	148	92.0%
Full planning applications	962	849	113	88.3%
Discharging planning conditions	661	655	6	99.1%
Tree works in a conservation area	552	535	17	96.9%
Protected tree works (TPO)	333	301	32	90.4%
Listed Building Consent	294	282	12	95.9%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	133	117	16	88.0%
Prior approval (permitted development)	120	113	7	94.2%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	116	115	1	99.1%
Advertisement Consent	114	105	9	92.1%
Change of Use	109	93	16	85.3%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	106	106	0	no refusals recorded
Planning Condition	78	74	4	94.9%
Prior Approval - Class Q (Agricultural to Dwelling)	61	44	17	72.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	50	45	5	90.0%
Outline Planning	50	32	18	64.0%
Discharge Of Condition	40	40	0	no refusals recorded
South Derbyshire District Council	37	36	1	97.3%
Reserved matters (detail after outline approval)	34	34	0	no refusals recorded
Consultation	34	34	0	no refusals recorded
Tree Notice	24	23	1	95.8%
Works to a Protected Tree	21	17	4	81.0%
Prior Approval - (Solar PV - Non Dom) (Part 14) Class J	21	20	1	95.2%
Detailed Planning Application	20	18	2	90.0%
Other*	176	159	17	mixed types

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

Discharge Of Condition: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Reserved matters (detail after outline approval): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

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

* Other combines smaller categories: Certificate of Lawfulness - Proposed use/Development (13), Minerals and waste (13), Phone masts and telecoms (11), Permission in Principle (11), Prior Notification - Agricultural (10), Environmental impact screening and scoping (10), Prior Approval - Class MA (10), Prior Approval - Class MA (Office to Dwelling) (Formally Class O) (9), Prior Notification - Demolitions (8), Non-Material Amendment (7), County Application (7), Overhead Lines (7), Derbyshire Dales (7), Prior Notification - Householder (6), Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (5), Hedgerow Application (4), Lichfield District (4), Planning Condition (Minor Material Amendment) (4), Stafford Borough Council (3), Footpath Diversion (3), Demolition in Conservation Area (3), Prior Approval - Class R (Agricultural to flexible uses) (3), Certificate of Lawfulness - Existing use/Development (2), Prior Approval - Class AA (HO Enlargement by additional Storeys) (2), Prior Notification - Agricultural, Prior Approval Required (2), Hybrid Planning Application (2), Derby County Council (2), Hazardous Substances (1), Prior Approval - Class BB (Moveable Structures for Historic Visitor Attractions, Listed Pubs and Restaurants) (1), Prior Approval - Class G (1), Prior Approval - Class M (Retail & Specified Sui Generis to Dwelling) (1), Cannock Chase Council (1), Section 73a (1), Planning Condition Major (1), Class BC Temporary Campsites (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	119	111	93.3%
Q4 2023	294	264	89.8%
Q1 2024	323	293	90.7%
Q2 2024	273	240	87.9%
Q3 2024	282	256	90.8%
Q4 2024	270	241	89.3%
Q1 2025	251	240	95.6%
Q2 2025	259	248	95.8%
Q3 2025	247	230	93.1%
Q4 2025	270	251	93.0%
Q1 2026	261	246	94.3%
Q2 2026	318	279	87.7%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	156	135	86.5%

By Ward

All wards, across all years.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
No ward data available

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in East Staffordshire?

In the last 12 months, 90.8% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in East Staffordshire, based on 282 decided applications. Across all application types, 92.5% of 5,996 applications decided since August 2021 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in East Staffordshire?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in East Staffordshire in the last 12 months was 111 days (about sixteen weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in East Staffordshire?

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 Staffordshire?

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 Staffordshire are coming soon. Look up an address now to see its constraints, and join the waitlist.

Look up a property in East Staffordshire See a sample report