Planning permission in Greenwich

In the last 12 months, 75.8% of home project applications were approved in Greenwich (364 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about ten weeks (median 72 days).

Across all application types, 80.9% of 8,671 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Greenwich's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

10,578Total applications

8,671Decided

80.9%Approval rate (of decided)

7,013 Approved+1,658 Refused+412 Withdrawn+763 Pending+732 Outcome not determined=10,578 Total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)	1,899	1,335	564	70.3%
Discharging planning conditions	1,617	1,489	128	92.1%
Full planning applications	1,288	934	354	72.5%
Tree works in a conservation area	1,097	1,082	15	98.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	1,019	809	210	79.4%
Prior approval (permitted development)	441	233	208	52.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	223	197	26	88.3%
Listed Building Consent	217	191	26	88.0%
Advertisement Consent	191	141	50	73.8%
Protected tree works (TPO)	151	146	5	96.7%
Informal S106	150	150	0	no refusals recorded
Consultation by other Borough\LDDC	130	118	12	90.8%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	98	75	23	76.5%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	45	34	11	75.6%
Phone masts and telecoms	26	9	17	34.6%
Development by Govt Dept/Stat.Und.	23	23	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	56	47	9	mixed types

Informal S106: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Development by Govt Dept/Stat.Und.: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Environmental impact screening and scoping (19), Other Developments (11), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (9), Biodiversity Gain Plan (5), Cert of Appropriate Alt Develpment (3), Non Material (2), Outline Planning (2), Section 106 (2), Permission in Principle (2), Demolition (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	298	238	79.9%
Q4 2023	727	568	78.1%
Q1 2024	667	547	82.0%
Q2 2024	722	577	79.9%
Q3 2024	727	570	78.4%
Q4 2024	746	584	78.3%
Q1 2025	527	437	82.9%
Q2 2025	584	498	85.3%
Q3 2025	764	632	82.7%
Q4 2025	764	652	85.3%
Q1 2026	711	585	82.3%
Q2 2026	82	71	86.6%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	9	9	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 861 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 64.5% in MOTTINGHAM, COLDHARBOUR & NEW ELTHAM to 93.0% in GREENWICH PENINSULA, a gap of 28.5 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
BLACKHEATH WESTCOMBE	1,233	1,098	135	89.1%
GREENWICH PARK	749	650	99	86.8%
ELTHAM TOWN & AVERY HILL	586	433	153	73.9%
ELTHAM PARK & PROGRESS	569	459	110	80.7%
PLUMSTEAD & GLYNDON	463	345	118	74.5%
GREENWICH PENINSULA	441	410	31	93.0%
MOTTINGHAM, COLDHARBOUR & NEW ELTHAM	403	260	143	64.5%
EAST GREENWICH	395	310	85	78.5%
PLUMSTEAD COMMON	369	279	90	75.6%
SHOOTERS HILL	361	288	73	79.8%
WOOLWICH ARSENAL	356	319	37	89.6%
KIDBROOKE PARK	317	228	89	71.9%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Greenwich?

In the last 12 months, 75.8% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Greenwich, based on 364 decided applications. Across all application types, 80.9% of 8,671 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Greenwich?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Greenwich in the last 12 months was 72 days (about ten weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Greenwich?

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 Greenwich?

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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