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Planning permission in Medway

In the last 12 months, 94.9% of home project applications were approved in Medway (175 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 55 days).

Across all application types, 91.4% of 3,632 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Medway's public planning register. Data last updated: 8 August 2026.

4,557Total applications
3,632Decided
91.4%Approval rate (of decided)
3,320 Approved+312 Refused+166 Withdrawn+0 Pending+759 Outcome not determined=4,557 Total
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By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 1,071 1,011 60
94.4%
Full planning applications 606 511 95
84.3%
Discharging planning conditions 603 596 7
98.8%
Protected tree works (TPO) 395 349 46
88.4%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 381 342 39
89.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 99 88 11
88.9%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval) 90 76 14
84.4%
Changing a planning condition (S73) 87 81 6
93.1%
Advertisement Consent 81 79 2
97.5%
Listed Building Consent 70 66 4
94.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 48 41 7
85.4%
Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) 20 19 1
95.0%
Other* 81 61 20 mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Phone masts and telecoms (16), Outline Planning (15), Commercial to Residential (12), Environmental impact screening and scoping (7), Prior approval (permitted development) (5), Demolition (4), Office to residential (3), Permission in Principle (3), Retail to residential (3), Circular 14/90 Overhead Electricity Line (3), Solar Panels Non-domestic Blds (2), LDO - Development is Compliant with LDO (2), Business Lesuire Hotels to State Schools (1), Tree works in a conservation area (1), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 123 115
93.5%
Q4 2023 277 252
91.0%
Q1 2024 321 293
91.3%
Q2 2024 282 265
94.0%
Q3 2024 278 253
91.0%
Q4 2024 242 225
93.0%
Q1 2025 264 237
89.8%
Q2 2025 420 374
89.0%
Q3 2025 285 265
93.0%
Q4 2025 257 228
88.7%
Q1 2026 254 235
92.5%
Q2 2026 40 39
97.5%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 10 10 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 377 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 86.2% in Gillingham South to 96.0% in Strood Rural, a gap of 9.8 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Chatham Central & Brompton 258 244 14
94.6%
Rochester West & Borstal 250 237 13
94.8%
Strood Rural 200 192 8
96.0%
Gillingham South 189 163 26
86.2%
Strood North & Frindsbury 179 157 22
87.7%
Rainham South East 163 144 19
88.3%
Hoo St Werburgh & High Halstow 159 144 15
90.6%
Fort Pitt 159 143 16
89.9%
Watling 150 137 13
91.3%
Hempstead & Wigmore 150 132 18
88.0%
Rainham North 150 137 13
91.3%
All Saints 135 124 11
91.9%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Medway?
In the last 12 months, 94.9% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Medway, based on 175 decided applications. Across all application types, 91.4% of 3,632 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Medway?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Medway in the last 12 months was 55 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Medway?
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 Medway?
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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