Planning permission in Hertsmere

In the last 12 months, 90.6% of home project applications were approved in Hertsmere (180 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 64 days).

Across all application types, 87.0% of 2,990 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Hertsmere's public planning register. Data last updated: 10 April 2026.

3,515Total applications

2,990Decided

87.0%Approval rate (of decided)

2,600 Approved+390 Refused+187 Withdrawn+301 Pending+37 Outcome not determined=3,515 Total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)	991	893	98	90.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	387	328	59	84.8%
Discharging planning conditions	349	348	1	99.7%
Full planning applications	331	293	38	88.5%
Prior approval (permitted development)	240	185	55	77.1%
Protected tree works (TPO)	233	147	86	63.1%
Tree works in a conservation area	130	130	0	no refusals recorded
Changing a planning condition (S73)	82	75	7	91.5%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	79	58	21	73.4%
Listed Building Consent	52	47	5	90.4%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	42	33	9	78.6%
Advertisement Consent	40	37	3	92.5%
Other*	34	26	8	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), Consultation from Adjacent Borough (9), Herts County County Consultation (4), Modification of Planning Obligation (2), Local Development Order (2), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (1), PD - Prior App 56 day- upwards Hse ext (1), Environmental impact screening and scoping (1), Building upwards dwel hse on det com/mix (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	57	46	80.7%
Q4 2023	154	140	90.9%
Q1 2024	260	221	85.0%
Q2 2024	308	265	86.0%
Q3 2024	267	227	85.0%
Q4 2024	304	264	86.8%
Q1 2025	276	248	89.9%
Q2 2025	325	297	91.4%
Q3 2025	295	255	86.4%
Q4 2025	281	248	88.3%
Q1 2026	232	196	84.5%
Q2 2026	31	23	74.2%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 402 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 82.4% in Bentley Heath & The Royds to 93.3% in Aldenham West, a gap of 10.9 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Aldenham East	377	316	61	83.8%
Aldenham West	300	280	20	93.3%
Shenley	229	198	31	86.5%
Potters Bar Parkfield	202	179	23	88.6%
Bentley Heath & The Royds	182	150	32	82.4%
Borehamwood Brookmeadow	181	154	27	85.1%
Borehamwood Kenilworth	177	159	18	89.8%
Elstree	174	148	26	85.1%
Borehamwood Cowley Hill	173	158	15	91.3%
Bushey Park	162	149	13	92.0%
Bushey St James	154	135	19	87.7%
Borehamwood Hillside	153	136	17	88.9%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Hertsmere?

In the last 12 months, 90.6% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Hertsmere, based on 180 decided applications. Across all application types, 87.0% of 2,990 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Hertsmere?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Hertsmere in the last 12 months was 64 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Hertsmere?

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 Hertsmere?

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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