Planning permission in Ipswich

We're not yet able to show a reliable approval rate for Ipswich. The figures below cover all application types on record.

Across all application types, 91.5% of 16,020 applications decided since June 2023 were approved. Based on Ipswich's public planning register. Data last updated: 28 May 2026.

17,627Total applications

16,020Decided

91.5%Approval rate (of decided)

14,664 Approved+1,356 Refused+706 Withdrawn+383 Pending+518 Outcome not determined=17,627 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	8,226	7,426	800	90.3%
Discharging planning conditions	1,529	1,448	81	94.7%
Tree works in a conservation area	1,421	1,400	21	98.5%
Protected tree works (TPO)	1,137	1,045	92	91.9%
Advertisement Consent	693	637	56	91.9%
Listed Building Consent	669	639	30	95.5%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	654	618	36	94.5%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	572	519	53	90.7%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	472	424	48	89.8%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	198	164	34	82.8%
Prior Approval Commercial to Dwelling	142	116	26	81.7%
Phone masts and telecoms	72	38	34	52.8%
Outline Planning	67	41	26	61.2%
Reserved matters (detail after outline approval)	34	33	1	97.1%
Demolition details	25	24	1	96.0%
Conservation Area Consent	20	20	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	89	72	17	mixed types

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

* Other combines smaller categories: Prior Approval Solar PV (17), Outline Planning Fringe (15), Prior Approval Retail to residential (14), Prior Approval Shop Office to Cafe (11), Modification of Planning Obligations (6), Hazardous Substances Consent (4), Part Outline and Part Full (3), Permission in Principle (3), Railway Works - Permitted Devt. (3), Full Plg Ap by IBC - carried out by Othe (3), Certificate for Appropriate Altern Devt (2), Prior Approval Agricult to Office/Shop (2), Outline Planning Application by SCC (2), Agricultural works - Permitted Developme (1), Outline Planning Application by IBC (1), Additional Environmental Approval (1), Listed Building Consent - App by SCC (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	93	86	92.5%
Q4 2023	203	185	91.1%
Q1 2024	215	202	94.0%
Q2 2024	211	195	92.4%
Q3 2024	210	188	89.5%
Q4 2024	222	204	91.9%
Q1 2025	219	207	94.5%
Q2 2025	219	209	95.4%
Q3 2025	215	198	92.1%
Q4 2025	217	203	93.5%
Q1 2026	203	192	94.6%
Q2 2026	122	116	95.1%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 1,397 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 88.8% in WHITEHOUSE to 93.9% in ST MARGARETS, a gap of 5.1 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
ALEXANDRA	2,863	2,583	280	90.2%
ST MARGARETS	2,553	2,396	157	93.9%
BIXLEY	1,318	1,220	98	92.6%
WESTGATE	1,129	1,013	116	89.7%
GIPPING	1,081	974	107	90.1%
RUSHMERE	876	823	53	93.9%
PRIORY HEATH	826	768	58	93.0%
ST JOHNS	816	738	78	90.4%
CASTLE HILL	813	737	76	90.7%
WHITTON	805	751	54	93.3%
HOLYWELLS	704	642	62	91.2%
WHITEHOUSE	507	450	57	88.8%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Ipswich?

Across all application types, 91.5% of 16,020 applications decided in Ipswich since June 2023 were approved.

Do I need planning permission in Ipswich?

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 Ipswich?

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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