Planning permission in Luton

In the last 12 months, 85.6% of home project applications were approved in Luton (236 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about twelve weeks (median 81 days).

Across all application types, 80.7% of 3,516 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Luton's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

4,137Total applications

3,516Decided

80.7%Approval rate (of decided)

2,837 Approved+679 Refused+133 Withdrawn+464 Pending+24 Outcome not determined=4,137 Total

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Decision Level

4,077Delegated

52Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	1,319	1,081	238	82.0%
Full planning applications	541	305	236	56.4%
Discharging planning conditions	379	364	15	96.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	355	298	57	83.9%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	349	328	21	94.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	78	62	16	79.5%
Protected tree works (TPO)	77	70	7	90.9%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	76	72	4	94.7%
Advertisement Consent	75	61	14	81.3%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	61	50	11	82.0%
Change of Use	58	20	38	34.5%
Other*	148	126	22	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Prior - Class E to Resi (17), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (12), Listed Building Consent (11), Demolition (10), S106 Requirements to be agreed (10), Tree works in a conservation area (9), Phone masts and telecoms (9), Enlargement dwelling by add. stories (8), Application for a temporary duration (8), Prior - Solar Photo Voltaics non dom (8), GPDO consultation (7), Outline Planning (7), Legal Agreement Modification (6), Prior - Offices to Resi (5), Environmental impact screening and scoping (4), Regulation 3 (4), Prior household fast track (4), New dwellings on detached flats (3), Prior approval (permitted development) (2), Permission in Principle (2), Electricity Act (1), Prior - Class E mxd use incl to 2 flats (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	114	89	78.1%
Q4 2023	265	201	75.8%
Q1 2024	256	205	80.1%
Q2 2024	319	257	80.6%
Q3 2024	328	252	76.8%
Q4 2024	294	246	83.7%
Q1 2025	251	194	77.3%
Q2 2025	284	233	82.0%
Q3 2025	279	237	84.9%
Q4 2025	320	266	83.1%
Q1 2026	289	229	79.2%
Q2 2026	33	25	75.8%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	3	2	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 473 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 73.2% in BISCOT to 91.6% in STOPSLEY, a gap of 18.4 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
SOUTH	448	353	95	78.8%
CHALLNEY	271	228	43	84.1%
SAINTS	231	178	53	77.1%
DALLOW	209	168	41	80.4%
ROUND GREEN	202	161	41	79.7%
LEWSEY	195	158	37	81.0%
BISCOT	190	139	51	73.2%
LEAGRAVE	188	149	39	79.3%
FARLEY	185	155	30	83.8%
ICKNIELD	181	143	38	79.0%
HIGH TOWN	168	132	36	78.6%
STOPSLEY	166	152	14	91.6%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Luton?

In the last 12 months, 85.6% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Luton, based on 236 decided applications. Across all application types, 80.7% of 3,516 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Luton?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Luton in the last 12 months was 81 days (about twelve weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Luton?

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 Luton?

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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