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Planning permission in Sandwell

In the last 12 months, 88.2% of home project applications were approved in Sandwell (263 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 66 days).

Across all application types, 88.7% of 3,272 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Sandwell's public planning register. Data last updated: 12 April 2026.

3,649Total applications
3,272Decided
88.7%Approval rate (of decided)
2,903 Approved+369 Refused+125 Withdrawn+204 Pending+48 Outcome not determined=3,649 Total
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Decision Level
3,540Delegated
109Committee
By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 1,276 1,132 144
88.7%
Prior approval (permitted development) 525 463 62
88.2%
Full planning applications 362 321 41
88.7%
Discharging planning conditions 260 253 7
97.3%
Change of Use 216 163 53
75.5%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 193 172 21
89.1%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 119 104 15
87.4%
Advertisement Consent 107 101 6
94.4%
Variations of permissions 37 33 4
89.2%
Phone masts and telecoms 37 35 2
94.6%
Full Planning (Major) 34 32 2
94.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 33 29 4
87.9%
Other* 73 65 8 mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Protected tree works (TPO) (16), Outline Planning (13), Demolition (13), Listed Building Consent (10), Environmental impact screening and scoping (9), Major - Variations of permissions (9), Permission in Principle (2), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (1).

Quarterly Trend

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

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 109 100
91.7%
Q4 2023 267 234
87.6%
Q1 2024 277 245
88.4%
Q2 2024 221 190
86.0%
Q3 2024 275 243
88.4%
Q4 2024 284 256
90.1%
Q1 2025 274 249
90.9%
Q2 2025 264 234
88.6%
Q3 2025 263 223
84.8%
Q4 2025 279 250
89.6%
Q1 2026 243 212
87.2%
Q2 2026 35 31
88.6%
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 387 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 79.5% in Soho & Victoria to 94.8% in Wednesbury South, a gap of 15.3 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
West Bromwich Central 237 218 19
92.0%
Oldbury 201 172 29
85.6%
St Pauls 175 150 25
85.7%
Wednesbury South 174 165 9
94.8%
Hateley Heath 169 150 19
88.8%
Charlemont With Grove Vale 165 139 26
84.2%
Greets Green & Lyng 162 142 20
87.7%
Soho & Victoria 151 120 31
79.5%
Cradley Heath & Old Hill 148 135 13
91.2%
Great Barr With Yew Tree 134 123 11
91.8%
Old Warley 134 118 16
88.1%
Wednesbury North 131 123 8
93.9%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Sandwell?
In the last 12 months, 88.2% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Sandwell, based on 263 decided applications. Across all application types, 88.7% of 3,272 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Sandwell?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Sandwell in the last 12 months was 66 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Sandwell?
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 Sandwell?
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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