Planning permission in Oxford

In the last 12 months, 89.2% of home project applications were approved in Oxford (93 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about twelve weeks (median 85 days).

Across all application types, 92.0% of 4,054 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Oxford's public planning register. Data last updated: 26 July 2026.

4,727Total applications

4,054Decided

92.0%Approval rate (of decided)

3,731 Approved+323 Refused+216 Withdrawn+122 Pending+335 Outcome not determined=4,727 Total

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Decision Level

4,585Delegated

22Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	1,219	1,049	170	86.1%
Tree works in a conservation area	930	928	2	99.8%
Discharging planning conditions	766	744	22	97.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	245	196	49	80.0%
Listed Building Consent	160	159	1	99.4%
Protected tree works (TPO)	134	131	3	97.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	114	101	13	88.6%
Phone masts and telecoms	111	110	1	99.1%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	107	99	8	92.5%
Prior approval (permitted development)	83	64	19	77.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	73	47	26	64.4%
Advertisement Consent	66	61	5	92.4%
Other*	46	42	4	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Larger extensions (householder prior approval) (7), County Deemed Permission Reg 3 (5), Planning Obligation Modification (5), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (4), Demolition (4), City Deemed Permission - Reg 3 (4), Prior App Extension/alt to Uni building (4), Prior AppComm to mixuse inc up to 2 flat (3), Consultation only - not planning app (3), Outline Planning (2), S106 Agreement - Ist App (2), Environmental impact screening and scoping (1), S106 Agreement - 3rd App (1), Planning in Principle (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	132	120	90.9%
Q4 2023	336	308	91.7%
Q1 2024	328	310	94.5%
Q2 2024	372	337	90.6%
Q3 2024	329	285	86.6%
Q4 2024	379	342	90.2%
Q1 2025	309	281	90.9%
Q2 2025	335	312	93.1%
Q3 2025	375	358	95.5%
Q4 2025	283	272	96.1%
Q1 2026	289	274	94.8%
Q2 2026	23	23	100.0%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	7	7	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 364 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 79.9% in Marston Ward to 98.8% in Walton Manor Ward, a gap of 18.9 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Summertown	397	392	5	98.7%
Carfax And Jericho Ward	378	365	13	96.6%
Walton Manor Ward	335	331	4	98.8%
Holywell Ward	282	278	4	98.6%
Headington Hill And Northway Ward	251	224	27	89.2%
Osney And St. Thomas Ward	218	203	15	93.1%
Headington Ward	205	184	21	89.8%
Marston Ward	199	159	40	79.9%
Wolvercote Ward	194	189	5	97.4%
Quarry And Risinghurst Ward	179	155	24	86.6%
St Marys Ward	135	126	9	93.3%
Temple Cowley Ward	134	116	18	86.6%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Oxford?

In the last 12 months, 89.2% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Oxford, based on 93 decided applications. Across all application types, 92.0% of 4,054 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Oxford?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Oxford in the last 12 months was 85 days (about twelve weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Oxford?

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 Oxford?

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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