Planning permission in Middlesbrough

In the last 12 months, 85.4% of home project applications were approved in Middlesbrough (103 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about ten weeks (median 70 days).

Across all application types, 83.7% of 1,670 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Middlesbrough's public planning register. Data last updated: 5 July 2026.

1,983Total applications

1,670Decided

83.7%Approval rate (of decided)

1,397 Approved+273 Refused+55 Withdrawn+200 Pending+58 Outcome not determined=1,983 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	838	660	178	78.8%
Discharging planning conditions	135	129	6	95.6%
Change of Use	100	66	34	66.0%
Prior approval (permitted development)	95	92	3	96.8%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	93	83	10	89.2%
Protected tree works (TPO)	76	66	10	86.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	61	59	2	96.7%
Advertisement Consent	53	43	10	81.1%
Phone masts and telecoms	48	44	4	91.7%
Tree works in a conservation area	44	44	0	no refusals recorded
Changing a planning condition (S73)	35	29	6	82.9%
Listed Building Consent	20	19	1	95.0%
Other*	72	63	9	mixed types

Tree works in a conservation area: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Redcar and Cleveland Consultation (15), Stockton Consultation (10), Environmental impact screening and scoping (4), Outline Planning (3), Demolition (2), Larger extensions (householder prior approval) (2), TPO Tree Works (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	75	64	85.3%
Q4 2023	157	127	80.9%
Q1 2024	112	93	83.0%
Q2 2024	101	84	83.2%
Q3 2024	108	88	81.5%
Q4 2024	122	100	82.0%
Q1 2025	179	156	87.2%
Q2 2025	131	109	83.2%
Q3 2025	132	113	85.6%
Q4 2025	135	108	80.0%
Q1 2026	123	101	82.1%
Q2 2026	64	57	89.1%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 141 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 69.4% in Newport to 89.1% in Nunthorpe, a gap of 19.7 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Central	198	165	33	83.3%
Nunthorpe	129	115	14	89.1%
Park	105	87	18	82.9%
Marton East	88	68	20	77.3%
Linthorpe	84	59	25	70.2%
Coulby Newham	83	70	13	84.3%
Marton West	82	68	14	82.9%
Kader	81	64	17	79.0%
Newport	72	50	22	69.4%
Stainton And Thornton	66	58	8	87.9%
Acklam	63	53	10	84.1%
Longlands/Beechwood	59	49	10	83.1%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Middlesbrough?

In the last 12 months, 85.4% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Middlesbrough, based on 103 decided applications. Across all application types, 83.7% of 1,670 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Middlesbrough?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Middlesbrough in the last 12 months was 70 days (about ten weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Middlesbrough?

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 Middlesbrough?

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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