Planiverse / Authorities / Norwich

Planning permission in Norwich

In the last 12 months, 97.8% of home project applications were approved in Norwich (91 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 94.1% of 2,460 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Norwich's public planning register. Data last updated: 9 August 2026.

3,685Total applications
2,460Decided
94.1%Approval rate (of decided)
2,315 Approved+145 Refused+133 Withdrawn+419 Pending+673 Outcome not determined=3,685 Total
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By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 923 865 58
93.7%
Discharging planning conditions 326 324 2
99.4%
Protected tree works (TPO) 274 256 18
93.4%
Listed Building Consent 258 250 8
96.9%
Advertisement Consent 151 135 16
89.4%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 123 121 2
98.4%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 84 77 7
91.7%
Prior approval (permitted development) 81 76 5
93.8%
Change of Use 74 65 9
87.8%
Material Amendments 38 38 0 no refusals recorded
Changing a planning condition (S73) 35 28 7
80.0%
Phone masts and telecoms 34 23 11
67.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 20 19 1
95.0%
Norwich City Council (Itself) 20 20 0 no refusals recorded
Other* 19 18 1 mixed types

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

Norwich City Council (Itself): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Environmental impact screening and scoping (4), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (3), Tree works in a conservation area (3), Reg.77 Habitats and Species Regs 2017 (3), Outline Planning (2), Permission in Principle (2), County Council Consultations (Itself) (2).

Quarterly Trend

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

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 102 93
91.2%
Q4 2023 204 188
92.2%
Q1 2024 186 179
96.2%
Q2 2024 223 196
87.9%
Q3 2024 210 196
93.3%
Q4 2024 203 196
96.6%
Q1 2025 182 177
97.3%
Q2 2025 207 194
93.7%
Q3 2025 181 176
97.2%
Q4 2025 222 211
95.0%
Q1 2026 198 193
97.5%
Q2 2026 15 13 sample too small
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 2 2 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 56 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 89.7% in Crome to 99.5% in Lakenham, a gap of 9.8 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Mancroft 547 514 33
94.0%
Thorpe Hamlet 336 315 21
93.8%
Eaton 318 301 17
94.7%
Town Close 191 178 13
93.2%
Lakenham 188 187 1
99.5%
Catton Grove 178 165 13
92.7%
Nelson 177 173 4
97.7%
University 127 115 12
90.6%
Wensum 95 89 6
93.7%
Mile Cross 90 83 7
92.2%
Sewell 79 75 4
94.9%
Crome 78 70 8
89.7%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Norwich?
In the last 12 months, 97.8% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Norwich, based on 91 decided applications. Across all application types, 94.1% of 2,460 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Norwich?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Norwich in the last 12 months was 56 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Norwich?
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 Norwich?
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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