Planning permission in Kensington and Chelsea

We don't yet have enough recent decisions in Kensington and Chelsea to show a reliable approval rate. The figures below cover all application types on record.

Across all application types, 96.2% of 3,839 applications decided since March 2026 were approved. Based on Kensington and Chelsea's public planning register. Data last updated: 21 May 2026.

5,442Total applications

3,839Decided

96.2%Approval rate (of decided)

3,694 Approved+145 Refused+400 Withdrawn+1,013 Pending+190 Outcome not determined=5,442 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Discharging planning conditions	668	650	18	97.3%
Listed Building Consent	622	598	24	96.1%
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	572	553	19	96.7%
Full planning applications	470	446	24	94.9%
Protected tree works (TPO)	326	321	5	98.5%
Tree works in a conservation area	323	321	2	99.4%
planning	271	265	6	97.8%
Phone masts and telecoms	202	188	14	93.1%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	112	100	12	89.3%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	102	101	1	99.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	58	54	4	93.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	40	33	7	82.5%
Advertisement Consent	38	33	5	86.8%
Change of Use	29	25	4	86.2%
Other*	6	6	0	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Prior approval (permitted development) (2), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (2), Larger extensions (householder prior approval) (1), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (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
Q1 2026	1	1	sample too small
Q2 2026	149	145	97.3%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 17 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 90.5% in Courtfield to 100.0% in Royal Hospital, a gap of 9.5 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Royal Hospital	29	29	0	100.0%
Brompton and Hans Town	23	23	0	100.0%
Stanley	21	20	1	95.2%
Courtfield	21	19	2	90.5%
Abingdon	20	20	0	100.0%
Queen's Gate	17	17	0	sample too small
Norland	15	14	1	sample too small
Campden	14	12	2	sample too small
St Helen's	12	12	0	sample too small
Pembridge	11	10	1	sample too small
Holland	10	9	1	sample too small
Colville	9	9	0	sample too small

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Kensington and Chelsea?

Across all application types, 96.2% of 3,839 applications decided in Kensington and Chelsea since March 2026 were approved.

Do I need planning permission in Kensington and Chelsea?

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 Kensington and Chelsea?

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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