Planning permission in Merton

In the last 12 months, 85.2% of home project applications were approved in Merton (466 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 62 days).

Across all application types, 84.8% of 7,409 applications decided since April 2023 were approved. Based on Merton's public planning register. Data last updated: 11 April 2026.

9,920Total applications

7,409Decided

84.8%Approval rate (of decided)

6,281 Approved+1,128 Refused+412 Withdrawn+796 Pending+1,303 Outcome not determined=9,920 Total

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Decision Level

8,814Delegated

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	3,480	2,896	584	83.2%
Tree works in a conservation area	1,093	1,088	5	99.5%
Discharging planning conditions	792	777	15	98.1%
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	632	425	207	67.2%
Protected tree works (TPO)	466	434	32	93.1%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	232	213	19	91.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	218	186	32	85.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	150	0	150	outcome not determined
Advertisement Consent	98	91	7	92.9%
Listed Building Consent	86	77	9	89.5%
PA - Retail to Residential	54	37	17	68.5%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	26	0	26	outcome not determined
Other*	82	57	25	mixed types

Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development): 950 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.

Certificate of lawfulness (existing use): 72 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: PA - Office (B1(a) ) to Residential (C3 ) - Conversion - Class J, Part 3, Sched. 2 (19), PA - Solar (13), PA - Coronavirus Regulations 2020 (10), Phone masts and telecoms (8), Deed of Variation (7), Prior approval (permitted development) (6), Outline Planning (6), Demolition (3), Variation of a Legal Agreement (2), Environmental impact screening and scoping (2), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (1), PA - Light Industrial (B1C) to Dwellinghouse (C3) (1), PA - Retail to Office (1), Change of Use (1), PA - Storage to Dwellinghouses (Class C3) (1), PA - A1 - A5 (Sui Generis) to Residential (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	202	168	83.2%
Q4 2023	629	523	83.1%
Q1 2024	538	429	79.7%
Q2 2024	690	585	84.8%
Q3 2024	788	671	85.2%
Q4 2024	913	753	82.5%
Q1 2025	597	491	82.2%
Q2 2025	697	594	85.2%
Q3 2025	710	616	86.8%
Q4 2025	772	702	90.9%
Q1 2026	208	187	89.9%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 650 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 71.3% in Cannon Hill to 95.7% in Village, a gap of 24.4 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Village	1,462	1,399	63	95.7%
Wimbledon Town and Dundonald	618	566	52	91.6%
Hillside	560	515	45	92.0%
Merton Park	462	380	82	82.3%
Raynes Park	444	397	47	89.4%
Wimbledon Park	411	393	18	95.6%
West Barnes	390	282	108	72.3%
Abbey	304	273	31	89.8%
Colliers Wood	301	223	78	74.1%
Cannon Hill	289	206	83	71.3%
Cricket Green	230	165	65	71.7%
Ravensbury	229	169	60	73.8%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Merton?

In the last 12 months, 85.2% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Merton, based on 466 decided applications. Across all application types, 84.8% of 7,409 applications decided since April 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Merton?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Merton in the last 12 months was 62 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Merton?

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 Merton?

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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