Planning permission in Great Yarmouth

In the last 12 months, 90.3% of home project applications were approved in Great Yarmouth (62 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 65 days).

Across all application types, 91.0% of 1,499 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Great Yarmouth's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

2,128Total applications

1,499Decided

91.0%Approval rate (of decided)

1,364 Approved+135 Refused+179 Withdrawn+344 Pending+106 Outcome not determined=2,128 Total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)	354	332	22	93.8%
Discharging planning conditions	291	282	9	96.9%
Full planning applications	227	191	36	84.1%
Protected tree works (TPO)	144	132	12	91.7%
Phone masts and telecoms	141	141	0	no refusals recorded
Tree works in a conservation area	58	53	5	91.4%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	52	52	0	no refusals recorded
Change of Use	39	32	7	82.1%
Listed Building Consent	33	33	0	no refusals recorded
Advertisement Consent	28	28	0	no refusals recorded
DISMISSED	22	0	22	no approvals recorded
Prior approval (permitted development)	20	19	1	95.0%
Other*	90	69	21	mixed types

Phone masts and telecoms: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Changing a planning condition (S73): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

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

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

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

* Other combines smaller categories: Larger extensions (householder prior approval) (17), Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) (15), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (8), ALLOWED CONDITIONS (6), Outline Planning (5), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (3), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (2), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (2), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (1), Environmental impact screening and scoping (1), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (1), Hedgerow Removal (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	39	36	92.3%
Q4 2023	124	113	91.1%
Q1 2024	115	100	87.0%
Q2 2024	116	101	87.1%
Q3 2024	90	82	91.1%
Q4 2024	148	138	93.2%
Q1 2025	146	136	93.2%
Q2 2025	132	118	89.4%
Q3 2025	137	130	94.9%
Q4 2025	133	120	90.2%
Q1 2026	100	93	93.0%
Q2 2026	37	30	81.1%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	4	4	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 149 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 84.6% in Martham to 96.1% in GY Gorleston, a gap of 11.5 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
GY Central/Northgate	126	111	15	88.1%
Ormesby St Marg.	122	111	11	91.0%
GY Nelson	113	106	7	93.8%
GY Gorleston	102	98	4	96.1%
Bradwell South	92	84	8	91.3%
Martham	78	66	12	84.6%
Belton	72	64	8	88.9%
Bradwell North	67	61	6	91.0%
GY Magdalen	66	62	4	93.9%
GY St Andrews	65	60	5	92.3%
Caister South	63	54	9	85.7%
GY Southtown/Cobhm	59	56	3	94.9%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Great Yarmouth?

In the last 12 months, 90.3% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Great Yarmouth, based on 62 decided applications. Across all application types, 91.0% of 1,499 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Great Yarmouth?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Great Yarmouth in the last 12 months was 65 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Great Yarmouth?

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 Great Yarmouth?

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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