In the last 12 months, 92.6% of full planning applications were approved in Forest of Dean (377 decided). A typical decision takes about eleven weeks (median 76 days).
Across all application types on record (2023-03-15–2026-06-26): 91.2% of 2,638 decisions approved.
| Category | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Planning Application | 1,498 | 1,353 | 145 | |
| Discharge of Conditions | 324 | 316 | 8 | |
| Tree Works (Conservation Area) | 305 | 305 | 0 | |
| Listed Building Consent | 119 | 116 | 3 | |
| Tree Works (TPO) | 86 | 82 | 4 | |
| Non - Material Changes | 69 | 67 | 2 | |
| Prior Approval (Other) | 63 | 53 | 10 | |
| Outline Planning | 30 | 9 | 21 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) | 22 | 4 | 18 | |
| Prior App Agricultural to dwelling (C3) | 20 | 11 | 9 | |
| Reserved Matters | 14 | 14 | 0 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 10 | 10 | 0 | |
| County Planning Consultation | 9 | 6 | 3 | |
| Permission in Principle | 9 | 4 | 5 | |
| Change of Use | 8 | 8 | 0 | |
| Householder (Prior Approval) | 7 | 6 | 1 | |
| Prior App Solar Equip Non Domestic Roofs | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| Prior App B1 to dwelling (C3) | 5 | 4 | 1 | |
| Overhead Electricity Lines | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| Condition Biodiversity Gain Plan | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| Environmental Impact Assessment (Screening/Scoping) | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Technical Detail Consent | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Prior App Ag bldg to flex commercial use | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Hedgerow Removal | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| Demolition | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Planning Obligation | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Telecommunications | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Agricultural Determination/Forestry Dev | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Prior App temp campsite in flood Zone | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| PE Demolition Applications | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Prior App additional storey - dwelling | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| PE Telecommunication Determination | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Quarter | Decided | Approved | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | 204 | 190 | |
| 2023-Q4 | 213 | 183 | |
| 2024-Q1 | 252 | 222 | |
| 2024-Q2 | 238 | 209 | |
| 2024-Q3 | 224 | 199 | |
| 2024-Q4 | 252 | 233 | |
| 2025-Q1 | 207 | 191 | |
| 2025-Q2 | 224 | 207 | |
| 2025-Q3 | 224 | 206 | |
| 2025-Q4 | 231 | 221 | |
| 2026-Q1 | 206 | 195 | |
| 2026-Q2 | 83 | 76 |
| Ward | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartpury & Redmarley | 305 | 271 | 34 | |
| Newnham | 239 | 226 | 13 | |
| Newent & Taynton | 221 | 207 | 14 | |
| Longhope & Huntley | 193 | 173 | 20 | |
| Tidenham | 166 | 150 | 16 | |
| St Briavels | 154 | 143 | 11 | |
| Mitcheldean, Ruardean & Drybrook | 140 | 122 | 18 | |
| Dymock | 132 | 115 | 17 | |
| Newland & Sling | 131 | 125 | 6 | |
| Westbury-on-Severn | 130 | 117 | 13 | |
| Coleford | 127 | 119 | 8 | |
| Bream | 102 | 90 | 12 |
Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.