Planning permission in Guildford

In the last 12 months, 86.6% of home project applications were approved in Guildford (417 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about thirteen weeks (median 94 days).

Across all application types, 84.8% of 7,351 applications decided since August 2022 were approved. Based on Guildford's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

9,681Total applications

7,351Decided

84.8%Approval rate (of decided)

6,234 Approved+1,117 Refused+318 Withdrawn+1,373 Pending+639 Outcome not determined=9,681 Total

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Decision Level

9,341Delegated

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	3,427	2,864	563	83.6%
Discharging planning conditions	1,146	968	178	84.5%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	680	559	121	82.2%
Tree works in a conservation area	634	634	0	no refusals recorded
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	359	272	87	75.8%
Protected tree works (TPO)	272	268	4	98.5%
Listed Building Consent	233	204	29	87.6%
Advertisement Consent	154	131	23	85.1%
Residential Extensions	151	111	40	73.5%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	65	52	13	80.0%
Neighbouring Authority	43	40	3	93.0%
Office to residential	31	21	10	67.7%
Renewable Energy	28	18	10	64.3%
Agriculture and Forestry	24	20	4	83.3%
Other*	104	72	32	mixed types

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: Outline Planning (12), Permission In Principle (12), Consultation by SCC (10), Habitat Regulations (9), Communications (8), Retail to residential (8), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (7), Demolition (7), Agricultural to flexible use (6), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (5), Appl. to Discharge or Modify Section 106 (5), Removal of telephone kiosks (4), Environmental impact screening and scoping (4), Hybrid Application (1), Business to school/nursery (1), Phone masts and telecoms (1), Planning Performance Agreement (1), Temporary Development (1), Part 19 Class TA (1), Conditions Biodiversity Gain Plan (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	300	260	86.7%
Q4 2023	701	570	81.3%
Q1 2024	603	509	84.4%
Q2 2024	681	576	84.6%
Q3 2024	602	522	86.7%
Q4 2024	575	492	85.6%
Q1 2025	561	474	84.5%
Q2 2025	591	500	84.6%
Q3 2025	642	567	88.3%
Q4 2025	629	531	84.4%
Q1 2026	565	481	85.1%
Q2 2026	31	30	96.8%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	14	14	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 647 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 82.4% in Clandon & Horsley to 88.0% in Merrow, a gap of 5.6 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Clandon & Horsley	888	732	156	82.4%
Castle	826	705	121	85.4%
Send & Lovelace	637	531	106	83.4%
Tillingbourne	587	502	85	85.5%
Worplesdon	409	346	63	84.6%
Shalford	385	332	53	86.2%
Normandy & Pirbright	383	319	64	83.3%
Stoke	369	309	60	83.7%
Pilgrims	349	299	50	85.7%
Onslow	288	251	37	87.2%
Merrow	284	250	34	88.0%
Burpham	247	216	31	87.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Guildford?

In the last 12 months, 86.6% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Guildford, based on 417 decided applications. Across all application types, 84.8% of 7,351 applications decided since August 2022 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Guildford?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Guildford in the last 12 months was 94 days (about thirteen weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Guildford?

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 Guildford?

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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