Planning permission in Gravesham

In the last 12 months, 76.6% of home project applications were approved in Gravesham (248 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 58 days).

Across all application types, 76.4% of 3,072 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Gravesham's public planning register. Data last updated: 12 April 2026.

3,526Total applications

3,072Decided

76.4%Approval rate (of decided)

2,348 Approved+724 Refused+95 Withdrawn+226 Pending+133 Outcome not determined=3,526 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	802	591	211	73.7%
Full planning applications	759	488	271	64.3%
Discharging planning conditions	381	339	42	89.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	353	280	73	79.3%
Prior approval (permitted development)	112	81	31	72.3%
Protected tree works (TPO)	110	110	0	no refusals recorded
Phone masts and telecoms	102	94	8	92.2%
Tree works in a conservation area	100	100	0	no refusals recorded
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	80	65	15	81.2%
Listed Building Consent	75	56	19	74.7%
Advertisement Consent	32	26	6	81.2%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	29	22	7	75.9%
Major Planning Application	27	20	7	74.1%
Other*	110	76	34	mixed types

Protected tree works (TPO): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

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

* Other combines smaller categories: Prior Agricultural and Forestry (18), Adjoining Authorities Application (17), Kent County Council Application (13), Prior Communication (Tel Comms) (10), Commercial Business, Service use to Resi (9), Environmental impact screening and scoping (7), Outline Planning (6), Payphone (6), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (5), Permission in Principle (5), Demolition (3), Section 106 Amendments (3), Habitat Regulations Application (2), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (1), Specified Uses to Education (1), Overhead Electricity Lines (1), Prior Agricultural Details (1), Major Planning Application (EIA) (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	108	74	68.5%
Q4 2023	245	169	69.0%
Q1 2024	234	180	76.9%
Q2 2024	231	177	76.6%
Q3 2024	257	192	74.7%
Q4 2024	238	185	77.7%
Q1 2025	229	167	72.9%
Q2 2025	207	174	84.1%
Q3 2025	287	228	79.4%
Q4 2025	300	243	81.0%
Q1 2026	240	200	83.3%
Q2 2026	38	30	78.9%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 259 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 68.7% in Woodlands to 84.4% in Chalk, a gap of 15.7 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Town	338	255	83	75.4%
Higham And Shorne	334	247	87	74.0%
Meopham South And Vigo	256	194	62	75.8%
Istead Rise, Cobham And Luddesdown	236	198	38	83.9%
Woodlands	233	160	73	68.7%
Meopham North	225	176	49	78.2%
Whitehill And Windmill Hill	206	162	44	78.6%
Pelham	194	148	46	76.3%
Northfleet And Springhead	140	113	27	80.7%
Coldharbour And Perry Street	132	97	35	73.5%
Painters Ash	124	87	37	70.2%
Chalk	90	76	14	84.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Gravesham?

In the last 12 months, 76.6% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Gravesham, based on 248 decided applications. Across all application types, 76.4% of 3,072 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Gravesham?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Gravesham in the last 12 months was 58 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Gravesham?

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 Gravesham?

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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