Planiverse / Authorities / Forest of Dean

Planning permission in Forest of Dean

In the last 12 months, 98.0% of home project applications were approved in Forest of Dean (153 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about ten weeks (median 70 days).

Across all application types, 91.2% of 2,637 applications decided since March 2023 were approved. Based on Forest of Dean's public planning register. Data last updated: 8 August 2026.

3,298Total applications
2,637Decided
91.2%Approval rate (of decided)
2,404 Approved+233 Refused+119 Withdrawn+414 Pending+128 Outcome not determined=3,298 Total
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Decision Level
3,215Delegated
60Committee
By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 1,498 1,353 145
90.3%
Discharging planning conditions 324 316 8
97.5%
Tree works in a conservation area 305 305 0 no refusals recorded
Listed Building Consent 119 116 3
97.5%
Protected tree works (TPO) 86 82 4
95.3%
Non - Material Changes 70 68 2
97.1%
Prior approval (permitted development) 63 53 10
84.1%
Outline Planning 30 9 21
30.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 21 3 18 outcome not determined
Prior App Agricultural to dwelling (C3) 20 11 9
55.0%
Other* 101 88 13 mixed types

Tree works in a conservation area: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development): 118 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (14), Advertisement Consent (10), County Planning Consultation (9), Permission in Principle (9), Change of Use (8), Larger extensions (householder prior approval) (7), Prior App Solar Equip Non Domestic Roofs (6), Prior App B1 to dwelling (C3) (5), Overhead Electricity Lines (5), Condition Biodiversity Gain Plan (5), Environmental impact screening and scoping (4), Technical Detail Consent (3), Prior App Ag bldg to flex commercial use (3), Hedgerow Removal (3), Demolition (2), Planning Obligation (2), Phone masts and telecoms (2), Prior App temp campsite in flood Zone (1), PE Demolition Applications (1), Prior App additional storey - dwelling (1), PE Telecommunication Determination (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 145 134
92.4%
Q4 2023 213 183
85.9%
Q1 2024 252 222
88.1%
Q2 2024 238 209
87.8%
Q3 2024 224 199
88.8%
Q4 2024 252 233
92.5%
Q1 2025 207 191
92.3%
Q2 2025 224 207
92.4%
Q3 2025 224 206
92.0%
Q4 2025 231 221
95.7%
Q1 2026 206 195
94.7%
Q2 2026 81 74
91.4%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 1 1 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 280 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 87.1% in Mitcheldean, Ruardean & Drybrook to 95.4% in Newland & Sling, a gap of 8.3 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Hartpury & Redmarley 305 271 34
88.9%
Newnham 239 226 13
94.6%
Newent & Taynton 221 207 14
93.7%
Longhope & Huntley 193 173 20
89.6%
Tidenham 166 150 16
90.4%
St Briavels 154 143 11
92.9%
Mitcheldean, Ruardean & Drybrook 140 122 18
87.1%
Dymock 132 115 17
87.1%
Newland & Sling 131 125 6
95.4%
Westbury-on-Severn 130 117 13
90.0%
Coleford 127 119 8
93.7%
Bream 102 90 12
88.2%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Forest of Dean?
In the last 12 months, 98.0% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Forest of Dean, based on 153 decided applications. Across all application types, 91.2% of 2,637 applications decided since March 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Forest of Dean?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Forest of Dean in the last 12 months was 70 days (about ten weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Forest of Dean?
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 Forest of Dean?
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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