Planning permission in Lichfield

In the last 12 months, 90.4% of home project applications were approved in Lichfield (240 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 54 days).

Across all application types, 84.3% of 2,537 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on Lichfield's public planning register. Data last updated: 8 August 2026.

2,997Total applications

2,537Decided

84.3%Approval rate (of decided)

2,139 Approved+398 Refused+124 Withdrawn+311 Pending+25 Outcome not determined=2,997 Total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)	1,097	976	121	89.0%
Full planning applications	402	305	97	75.9%
Listed Building Consent	190	168	22	88.4%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	181	151	30	83.4%
Change of Use	143	107	36	74.8%
Prior approval (permitted development)	138	117	21	84.8%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	95	82	13	86.3%
Advertisement Consent	78	73	5	93.6%
Agricultural Building	57	49	8	86.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	50	36	14	72.0%
Outline Planning	28	11	17	39.3%
Full Planning (Major)	25	19	6	76.0%
Other*	53	45	8	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: High Speed Two (18), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (16), Phone masts and telecoms (5), High Speed Two 2a (4), Permission in Principle (3), Discharging planning conditions (2), Vary / Modify S106 Agreement (2), Environmental impact screening and scoping (1), Hedgerow Removal (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	104	102	98.1%
Q4 2023	162	150	92.6%
Q1 2024	188	166	88.3%
Q2 2024	211	177	83.9%
Q3 2024	196	163	83.2%
Q4 2024	209	174	83.3%
Q1 2025	195	148	75.9%
Q2 2025	247	187	75.7%
Q3 2025	211	177	83.9%
Q4 2025	204	176	86.3%
Q1 2026	196	156	79.6%
Q2 2026	88	68	77.3%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	1	1	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 230 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 76.4% in Little Aston And Stonnall to 95.1% in Leomansley, a gap of 18.7 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Stowe	256	226	30	88.3%
Little Aston And Stonnall	233	178	55	76.4%
Whittington And Streethay	209	186	23	89.0%
Alrewas And Fradley	179	153	26	85.5%
Longdon	168	134	34	79.8%
St Johns	148	124	24	83.8%
Leomansley	144	137	7	95.1%
Armitage With Handsacre	139	113	26	81.3%
Hammerwich With Wall	134	110	24	82.1%
Bourne Vale	123	96	27	78.0%
Shenstone	93	76	17	81.7%
Colton And The Ridwares	91	77	14	84.6%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Lichfield?

In the last 12 months, 90.4% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Lichfield, based on 240 decided applications. Across all application types, 84.3% of 2,537 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Lichfield?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Lichfield in the last 12 months was 54 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Lichfield?

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 Lichfield?

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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