Planiverse / Authorities / Stevenage

Planning permission in Stevenage

We're not yet able to show a reliable approval rate for Stevenage. The figures below cover all application types on record.

Across all application types, 94.1% of 1,467 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Stevenage's public planning register. Data last updated: 22 August 2026.

1,968Total applications
1,467Decided
94.1%Approval rate (of decided)
1,381 Approved+86 Refused+43 Withdrawn+231 Pending+227 Outcome not determined=1,968 Total
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Decision Level
1,875Delegated
60Committee
By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 449 419 30
93.3%
Full planning applications 297 279 18
93.9%
Discharging planning conditions 272 272 0 no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 135 121 14
89.6%
Advertisement Consent 75 75 0 no refusals recorded
Protected tree works (TPO) 71 66 5 outcome not determined
Prior approval (permitted development) 43 34 9
79.1%
Listed Building Consent 24 23 1
95.8%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 22 20 2
90.9%
App. for Major Full Plans 21 20 1
95.2%
Other* 58 52 6 mixed types

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

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

Protected tree works (TPO): 75 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Commercial Prior App. Office to Resi. (11), Commercial Prior App. Solar PV (8), Outline Planning (6), Phone masts and telecoms (6), HCC Consultation (5), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (4), Modify, Vary or Discharge S.106 (4), BNG Cond App (4), Householder Prior Approval (extended PD) (2), Prior Approval - Demolition (2), Householder fast track (1), Notice of Intent Demoliton (1), Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) (1), Certificate of Lawfulness PD Fast Track (1), Cert. of Lawful PROPOSED use (1), Advanced General Enquiry (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 54 51
94.4%
Q4 2023 99 95
96.0%
Q1 2024 111 99
89.2%
Q2 2024 115 110
95.7%
Q3 2024 121 115
95.0%
Q4 2024 124 117
94.4%
Q1 2025 125 114
91.2%
Q2 2025 116 111
95.7%
Q3 2025 102 97
95.1%
Q4 2025 111 110
99.1%
Q1 2026 94 90
95.7%
Q2 2026 53 49
92.5%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 6 6 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 69 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 87.9% in Bandley Hill And Poplars to 97.3% in Bedwell, a gap of 9.4 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Woodfield 246 236 10
95.9%
Bedwell 225 219 6
97.3%
Old Town 198 184 14
92.9%
Roebuck 152 143 9
94.1%
Longmeadow 108 104 4
96.3%
Symonds Green 92 87 5
94.6%
Shephall 81 76 5
93.8%
Manor 70 63 7
90.0%
Chells 66 61 5
92.4%
Bandley Hill And Poplars 66 58 8
87.9%
Martins Wood 48 45 3
93.8%
St Nicholas 46 41 5
89.1%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Stevenage?
Across all application types, 94.1% of 1,467 applications decided in Stevenage since January 2023 were approved.
Do I need planning permission in Stevenage?
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 Stevenage?
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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