Planning permission in North Somerset

In the last 12 months, 94.6% of home project applications were approved in North Somerset (185 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 57 days).

Across all application types, 89.9% of 3,174 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on North Somerset's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

4,238Total applications

3,174Decided

89.9%Approval rate (of decided)

2,855 Approved+319 Refused+140 Withdrawn+548 Pending+376 Outcome not determined=4,238 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	868	812	56	93.5%
Full planning applications	505	400	105	79.2%
Tree works in a conservation area	336	335	1	99.7%
Discharging planning conditions	309	309	0	no refusals recorded
Protected tree works (TPO)	259	224	35	86.5%
Notification Reg 5 Electronic comms Regs	152	152	0	no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	143	106	37	74.1%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	113	99	14	87.6%
Listed Building Consent	99	92	7	92.9%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	50	48	2	96.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	40	39	1	97.5%
Advertisement Consent	39	39	0	no refusals recorded
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	35	30	5	85.7%
Prior App Part 3Q agriculture to res	25	10	15	40.0%
Prior App Part 6 agriculture/forestry	25	20	5	80.0%
Other*	176	140	36	mixed types

Discharging planning conditions: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Notification Reg 5 Electronic comms Regs: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Advertisement Consent: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Prior App Part 3MA Class E to Res (19), Environmental impact screening and scoping (14), NSC being consulted (13), Prior App Part 14J non-domestic solar (13), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (10), Outline Planning (10), Permission in principle (10), P1AA ext dwelling with two storey (9), Prior App Part 3R agric to flexible use (9), Development Consent Order - Major (8), Notification - OHL Exemption Regs 2009 (8), Development Consent Order - metro west (6), Council planning app (R3)(NSC developer) (6), Notification-Part 8F AirportConsultation (6), Prior App Part 15B bldg for electricity (6), Demolition (4), Prior App Part 16A electronic comms (4), Modification or discharge of S106 Agt (4), P20AB dwelling on terrace com bldg (3), Prior approval (permitted development) (2), Prior App Pt 18A misc devt. - local Acts (2), Prior App Part 3G comm to mixed (2), Hedgerow Removal (2), Regulation 77 (1), Relevant demolition-unlisted bldg in CA (1), Council app - alter LB (R13) (1), Temporary Class BC - Prior Notification (1), Notification-Electricity Act 1989 (OHLs) (1), Technical Details Consent (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	82	78	95.1%
Q4 2023	244	220	90.2%
Q1 2024	259	238	91.9%
Q2 2024	262	226	86.3%
Q3 2024	267	235	88.0%
Q4 2024	289	252	87.2%
Q1 2025	235	207	88.1%
Q2 2025	276	236	85.5%
Q3 2025	262	238	90.8%
Q4 2025	292	267	91.4%
Q1 2026	264	248	93.9%
Q2 2026	34	34	100.0%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	8	8	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 319 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 85.4% in Gordano Valley to 94.8% in Weston-super-Mare Hillside, a gap of 9.4 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Long Ashton	290	265	25	91.4%
Banwell And Winscombe	223	209	14	93.7%
Weston-super-Mare Hillside	192	182	10	94.8%
Gordano Valley	178	152	26	85.4%
Wrington	174	162	12	93.1%
Weston-super-Mare Central	139	122	17	87.8%
Hutton And Locking	136	125	11	91.9%
Winford	133	117	16	88.0%
Yatton	122	113	9	92.6%
Blagdon And Churchill	119	108	11	90.8%
Clevedon Walton	115	105	10	91.3%
Portishead West	113	102	11	90.3%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in North Somerset?

In the last 12 months, 94.6% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in North Somerset, based on 185 decided applications. Across all application types, 89.9% of 3,174 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in North Somerset?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in North Somerset in the last 12 months was 57 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in North Somerset?

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 North Somerset?

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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