Planning permission in Lincoln

In the last 12 months, 98.7% of home project applications were approved in Lincoln (75 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 57 days).

Across all application types, 94.8% of 2,295 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Lincoln's public planning register. Data last updated: 15 August 2026.

2,785Total applications

2,295Decided

94.8%Approval rate (of decided)

2,176 Approved+119 Refused+68 Withdrawn+303 Pending+119 Outcome not determined=2,785 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Protected tree works (TPO)	409	379	30	92.7%
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	394	384	10	97.5%
Full planning applications	376	333	43	88.6%
Tree works in a conservation area	208	199	9	95.7%
Discharging planning conditions	186	186	0	no refusals recorded
Listed Building Consent	143	140	3	97.9%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	132	129	3	97.7%
Advertisement Consent	97	89	8	91.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	97	97	0	no refusals recorded
Change of Use	61	58	3	95.1%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	46	45	1	97.8%
Prior approval (permitted development)	46	46	0	no refusals recorded
County Council Consultation	31	31	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	69	60	9	mixed types

Discharging planning conditions: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Prior approval (permitted development): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

County Council Consultation: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (18), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (17), Phone masts and telecoms (11), Local Authority app - Dev by others (11), Outline Planning (6), Public Service Infrastructure (2), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (1), Environmental impact screening and scoping (1), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (1), Class MA 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	79	74	93.7%
Q4 2023	190	178	93.7%
Q1 2024	211	201	95.3%
Q2 2024	183	177	96.7%
Q3 2024	172	163	94.8%
Q4 2024	175	162	92.6%
Q1 2025	174	167	96.0%
Q2 2025	159	152	95.6%
Q3 2025	155	148	95.5%
Q4 2025	188	181	96.3%
Q1 2026	149	134	89.9%
Q2 2026	77	73	94.8%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	20	20	100.0%

By Ward

All wards, across all years.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 93.2% in Abbey to 98.5% in Glebe, a gap of 5.3 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Carholme	387	362	25	93.5%
Hartsholme	321	300	21	93.5%
Park	295	280	15	94.9%
Abbey	281	262	19	93.2%
Minster	280	271	9	96.8%
Boultham	216	207	9	95.8%
Castle	171	165	6	96.5%
Birchwood	117	109	8	93.2%
Moorland	81	78	3	96.3%
Witham	71	68	3	95.8%
Glebe	66	65	1	98.5%
Not Available	9	9	0	sample too small

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Lincoln?

In the last 12 months, 98.7% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Lincoln, based on 75 decided applications. Across all application types, 94.8% of 2,295 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Lincoln?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Lincoln in the last 12 months was 57 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Lincoln?

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 Lincoln?

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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