Planning permission in Newham

In the last 12 months, 88.7% of home project applications were approved in Newham (124 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 86.3% of 4,345 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Newham's public planning register. Data last updated: 26 July 2026.

5,297Total applications

4,345Decided

86.3%Approval rate (of decided)

3,751 Approved+594 Refused+204 Withdrawn+182 Pending+566 Outcome not determined=5,297 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Discharging planning conditions	1,156	1,096	60	94.8%
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	837	728	109	87.0%
Full planning applications	674	513	161	76.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	620	518	102	83.5%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	188	163	25	86.7%
Advertisement Consent	142	130	12	91.5%
Prior approval (permitted development)	141	101	40	71.6%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	115	91	24	79.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	111	80	31	72.1%
Phone masts and telecoms	104	99	5	95.2%
Tree works in a conservation area	64	64	0	no refusals recorded
Protected tree works (TPO)	58	55	3	94.8%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	41	35	6	85.4%
Discharge or Modify S106 Obligation	26	26	0	outcome not determined
Other*	68	52	16	mixed types

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

Discharge or Modify S106 Obligation: 81 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Listed Building Consent (18), Local Authority Regulation 3 Application (12), Change of Use (10), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (9), Outline Planning (7), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (7), Environmental impact screening and scoping (2), Consultation rec'd from neighbouring LA (1), Development Consent Order (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	174	153	87.9%
Q4 2023	490	409	83.5%
Q1 2024	390	338	86.7%
Q2 2024	350	307	87.7%
Q3 2024	247	220	89.1%
Q4 2024	228	187	82.0%
Q1 2025	272	220	80.9%
Q2 2025	237	201	84.8%
Q3 2025	261	236	90.4%
Q4 2025	263	235	89.4%
Q1 2026	241	221	91.7%
Q2 2026	111	102	91.9%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	8	6	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 445 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 79.8% in Manor Park to 97.1% in Not Available, a gap of 17.3 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Forest Gate South	372	313	59	84.1%
Not Available	311	302	9	97.1%
Beckton	252	218	34	86.5%
Stratford	232	201	31	86.6%
East Ham	209	185	24	88.5%
Royal Victoria	205	193	12	94.1%
East Ham South	183	153	30	83.6%
Forest Gate North	181	156	25	86.2%
Green Street East	177	147	30	83.1%
Manor Park	173	138	35	79.8%
Green Street West	172	141	31	82.0%
Custom House	167	150	17	89.8%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Newham?

In the last 12 months, 88.7% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Newham, based on 124 decided applications. Across all application types, 86.3% of 4,345 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Newham?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Newham in the last 12 months was 56 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Newham?

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 Newham?

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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