Planning permission in Stafford

In the last 12 months, 86.8% of home project applications were approved in Stafford (159 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eighteen weeks (median 123 days).

Across all application types, 83.2% of 2,298 applications decided since April 2023 were approved. Based on Stafford's public planning register. Data last updated: 22 August 2026.

3,184Total applications

2,298Decided

83.2%Approval rate (of decided)

1,913 Approved+385 Refused+133 Withdrawn+612 Pending+141 Outcome not determined=3,184 Total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)	782	647	135	82.7%
Full planning applications	489	408	81	83.4%
Protected tree works (TPO)	247	209	38	84.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	175	134	41	76.6%
Tree works in a conservation area	131	130	1	99.2%
Listed Building Consent	119	111	8	93.3%
Advertisement Consent	55	43	12	78.2%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	48	41	7	85.4%
Prior approval (permitted development)	42	37	5	88.1%
Agricultural to Residential Prior Approv	41	21	20	51.2%
Other Notifications	29	29	0	no refusals recorded
Change of Use	27	23	4	85.2%
Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q)	21	14	7	66.7%
Outline Planning	20	7	13	35.0%
Other*	72	59	13	mixed types

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

* Other combines smaller categories: Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (12), Environmental Screening (11), Permission in Principle (11), Phone masts and telecoms (10), Residential Annex (9), Discharging planning conditions (6), Demolition (5), State Funded School Registered Nursery (2), Agricultural Building to Flexible Use (2), Technical Detail Consent (2), Modification of Planning Obligation (1), Public Service Infra Development (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	52	44	84.6%
Q4 2023	218	173	79.4%
Q1 2024	244	199	81.6%
Q2 2024	185	152	82.2%
Q3 2024	193	161	83.4%
Q4 2024	212	181	85.4%
Q1 2025	195	168	86.2%
Q2 2025	207	184	88.9%
Q3 2025	205	174	84.9%
Q4 2025	169	138	81.7%
Q1 2026	214	170	79.4%
Q2 2026	57	48	84.2%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	2	2	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 185 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 77.5% in Fulford to 90.0% in Milford, a gap of 12.5 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Eccleshall	261	220	41	84.3%
Milwich	232	200	32	86.2%
Swynnerton And Oulton	216	185	31	85.6%
Seighford And Church Eaton	195	159	36	81.5%
St Michaels And Stonefield	146	124	22	84.9%
Haywood And Hixon	145	121	24	83.4%
Gnosall And Woodseaves	143	112	31	78.3%
Forebridge	132	108	24	81.8%
Fulford	102	79	23	77.5%
Milford	80	72	8	90.0%
Baswich	72	56	16	77.8%
Weeping Cross And Wildwood	70	58	12	82.9%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Stafford?

In the last 12 months, 86.8% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Stafford, based on 159 decided applications. Across all application types, 83.2% of 2,298 applications decided since April 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Stafford?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Stafford in the last 12 months was 123 days (about eighteen weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Stafford?

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 Stafford?

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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