Planning permission in Sheffield

In the last 12 months, 86.9% of home project applications were approved in Sheffield (122 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 61 days).

Across all application types, 89.8% of 8,245 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Sheffield's public planning register. Data last updated: 10 April 2026.

9,336Total applications

8,245Decided

89.8%Approval rate (of decided)

7,403 Approved+842 Refused+214 Withdrawn+830 Pending+47 Outcome not determined=9,336 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	3,867	3,450	417	89.2%
Discharging planning conditions	1,276	1,276	0	no refusals recorded
Tree works in a conservation area	911	899	12	98.7%
Prior approval (permitted development)	386	316	70	81.9%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	335	263	72	78.5%
Advertisement Consent	316	231	85	73.1%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	305	267	38	87.5%
Protected tree works (TPO)	284	252	32	88.7%
Listed Building Consent	192	170	22	88.5%
Phone masts and telecoms	85	36	49	42.4%
Change of Use	81	73	8	90.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	65	54	11	83.1%
Application Submitted by the Council	43	43	0	no refusals recorded
Outline Planning	34	21	13	61.8%
Other*	65	52	13	mixed types

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

Application Submitted by the Council: 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 (17), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (12), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (11), Demolition (6), Commercial to mixed use inc flats (6), Private Way for Agricultural or Forestry (3), Cert of Lawful Use 4 years (2), Building/Office to Residential PN (2), Additional Storeys Commercial Terraced (1), Agricultural to Flexible Use PN (1), Commercial,Business,Services to Dwelling (1), Hazardous Substances Application (1), Permission in Principle (1), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (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	276	251	90.9%
Q4 2023	809	732	90.5%
Q1 2024	711	635	89.3%
Q2 2024	888	780	87.8%
Q3 2024	742	677	91.2%
Q4 2024	730	651	89.2%
Q1 2025	588	533	90.6%
Q2 2025	747	654	87.6%
Q3 2025	385	350	90.9%
Q4 2025	296	272	91.9%
Q1 2026	330	289	87.6%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 714 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 83.0% in Burngreave to 93.1% in Fulwood, a gap of 10.1 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
City	846	770	76	91.0%
Nether Edge And Sharrow	711	655	56	92.1%
Broomhill And Sharrow Vale	694	637	57	91.8%
Dore & Totley	629	578	51	91.9%
Fulwood	622	579	43	93.1%
Darnall	443	386	57	87.1%
Ecclesall	410	369	41	90.0%
Stocksbridge & Upper Don	311	286	25	92.0%
Stannington	305	271	34	88.9%
Burngreave	289	240	49	83.0%
Graves Park	275	243	32	88.4%
Crookes And Crosspool	273	248	25	90.8%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Sheffield?

In the last 12 months, 86.9% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Sheffield, based on 122 decided applications. Across all application types, 89.8% of 8,245 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Sheffield?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Sheffield in the last 12 months was 61 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Sheffield?

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 Sheffield?

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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