Planning permission in Lewisham

In the last 12 months, 87.9% of home project applications were approved in Lewisham (116 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about twelve weeks (median 87 days).

Across all application types, 84.7% of 7,213 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Lewisham's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

8,618Total applications

7,213Decided

84.7%Approval rate (of decided)

6,111 Approved+1,102 Refused+186 Withdrawn+599 Pending+620 Outcome not determined=8,618 Total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)	1,617	1,379	238	85.3%
Full planning applications	1,442	1,166	276	80.9%
Tree works in a conservation area	1,100	1,094	6	99.5%
Discharging planning conditions	963	784	179	81.4%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	742	625	117	84.2%
Prior approval (permitted development)	241	145	96	60.2%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	223	183	40	82.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	205	163	42	79.5%
Protected tree works (TPO)	172	171	1	99.4%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	111	88	23	79.3%
Advertisement Consent	100	81	19	81.0%
Listed Building Consent	76	73	3	96.1%
Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA)	73	41	32	56.2%
Dishcarge of Section 106 Conditions	60	58	2	96.7%
Phone masts and telecoms	30	12	18	outcome not determined
Other*	58	48	10	mixed types

Phone masts and telecoms: 335 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (10), Thames Tunnel Application (9), Environmental impact screening and scoping (7), Variation of Legal Agreement (7), Demolition (5), Minor Commercial (4), Rail Permitted Development (4), Not Available (3), Approval of Details (Following Full PP) (3), Outline Planning (2), Permission In Principle (2), Larger extensions (householder prior approval) (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	274	222	81.0%
Q4 2023	731	594	81.3%
Q1 2024	658	547	83.1%
Q2 2024	669	561	83.9%
Q3 2024	727	650	89.4%
Q4 2024	657	574	87.4%
Q1 2025	573	502	87.6%
Q2 2025	667	578	86.7%
Q3 2025	587	518	88.2%
Q4 2025	114	92	80.7%
Q1 2026	44	41	93.2%
Q2 2026	11	11	sample too small
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	29	28	96.6%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 723 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 73.6% in Hither Green to 92.1% in Blackheath, a gap of 18.5 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Brockley	658	597	61	90.7%
Blackheath	658	606	52	92.1%
Forest Hill	508	437	71	86.0%
Sydenham	486	397	89	81.7%
Telegraph Hill	479	424	55	88.5%
Ladywell	460	400	60	87.0%
Catford South	439	334	105	76.1%
Lee Green	415	358	57	86.3%
Perry Vale	415	356	59	85.8%
Crofton Park	380	326	54	85.8%
Rushey Green	356	281	75	78.9%
Hither Green	341	251	90	73.6%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Lewisham?

In the last 12 months, 87.9% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Lewisham, based on 116 decided applications. Across all application types, 84.7% of 7,213 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Lewisham?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Lewisham in the last 12 months was 87 days (about twelve weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Lewisham?

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 Lewisham?

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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