In the last 12 months, 84.9% of full planning applications were approved in Guildford (841 decided). A typical decision takes about fifteen weeks (median 108 days).
Across all application types on record (1998-10-27–2026-07-01): 84.9% of 7,404 decisions approved.
| Category | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Planning Application | 3,427 | 2,864 | 563 | |
| Discharge of Conditions | 1,185 | 1,007 | 178 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) | 693 | 572 | 121 | |
| Tree Works (Conservation Area) | 631 | 631 | 0 | |
| Non-Material Amendment (S96a) | 358 | 271 | 87 | |
| Tree Works (TPO) | 272 | 268 | 4 | |
| Listed Building Consent | 233 | 204 | 29 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 157 | 134 | 23 | |
| Residential Extensions | 151 | 111 | 40 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing) | 65 | 52 | 13 | |
| Neighbouring Authority | 43 | 40 | 3 | |
| Office to residential | 31 | 21 | 10 | |
| Renewable Energy | 28 | 18 | 10 | |
| Agriculture and Forestry | 25 | 21 | 4 | |
| Outline Planning | 12 | 4 | 8 | |
| Permission In Principle | 12 | 2 | 10 | |
| Consultation by SCC | 10 | 10 | 0 | |
| Habitat Regulations | 9 | 7 | 2 | |
| Communications | 9 | 7 | 2 | |
| Retail to residential | 8 | 6 | 2 | |
| Prior Approval (Class Q — Agricultural to Residential) | 7 | 4 | 3 | |
| Demolition | 7 | 6 | 1 | |
| Reserved Matters | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| Agricultural to flexible use | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| Appl. to Discharge or Modify Section 106 | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| Removal of telephone kiosks | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Environmental Impact Assessment (Screening/Scoping) | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Hybrid Application | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Business to school/nursery | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Telecommunications | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Planning Performance Agreement | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Temporary Development | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Part 19 Class TA | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Quarter | Decided | Approved | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | 660 | 563 | |
| 2023-Q4 | 704 | 573 | |
| 2024-Q1 | 607 | 513 | |
| 2024-Q2 | 687 | 582 | |
| 2024-Q3 | 607 | 527 | |
| 2024-Q4 | 582 | 499 | |
| 2025-Q1 | 568 | 481 | |
| 2025-Q2 | 598 | 507 | |
| 2025-Q3 | 646 | 571 | |
| 2025-Q4 | 634 | 536 | |
| 2026-Q1 | 574 | 490 | |
| 2026-Q2 | 32 | 31 | |
| 2026-Q3 | 1 | 1 |
| Ward | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clandon & Horsley | 890 | 734 | 156 | |
| Castle | 832 | 711 | 121 | |
| Send & Lovelace | 645 | 539 | 106 | |
| Tillingbourne | 589 | 504 | 85 | |
| Worplesdon | 410 | 347 | 63 | |
| Normandy & Pirbright | 388 | 324 | 64 | |
| Shalford | 387 | 334 | 53 | |
| Stoke | 371 | 311 | 60 | |
| Pilgrims | 354 | 304 | 50 | |
| Onslow | 290 | 253 | 37 | |
| Merrow | 286 | 252 | 34 | |
| Burpham | 247 | 216 | 31 |
Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.