Planning permission in Sunderland

In the last 12 months, 92.9% of home project applications were approved in Sunderland (127 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 64 days).

Across all application types, 86.4% of 3,157 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Sunderland's public planning register. Data last updated: 12 April 2026.

3,646Total applications

3,157Decided

86.4%Approval rate (of decided)

2,727 Approved+430 Refused+122 Withdrawn+0 Pending+367 Outcome not determined=3,646 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Discharging planning conditions	1,187	913	274	76.9%
Full planning applications	1,108	1,015	93	91.6%
Protected tree works (TPO)	156	148	8	94.9%
Advertisement Consent	139	128	11	92.1%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	105	95	10	90.5%
Tree works in a conservation area	80	80	0	no refusals recorded
Changing a planning condition (S73)	75	72	3	96.0%
Listed Building Consent	61	61	0	no refusals recorded
Local Authority (Reg 3 )	42	42	0	no refusals recorded
Prior approval (permitted development)	38	37	1	97.4%
PCZ Other solar photovoltaics	30	30	0	no refusals recorded
Phone masts and telecoms	23	18	5	78.3%
Demolition	20	19	1	95.0%
Other*	93	69	24	mixed types

Tree works in a conservation area: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

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

Local Authority (Reg 3 ): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

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

* Other combines smaller categories: Resubmission (18), Biodiversity Gain Condition (17), Home extensions and alterations (householder) (11), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (8), Deed of Variation Request (6), Environmental impact screening and scoping (5), Outline Planning (4), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (3), Minerals and waste (3), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (3), PSI Variation (2), Resubmission (Reg 4) (2), Technical Details Consent - Minor Dwel (1), PA to a university building (1), PS4 Public Infrast Dev Reg 4 (1), Change of Use (1), Consultation with Adjoining Authority (1), ES and (Reg)4 (1), Hazardous Substance Consent (1), Hedgerow Removal (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	118	106	89.8%
Q4 2023	254	226	89.0%
Q1 2024	267	231	86.5%
Q2 2024	231	193	83.5%
Q3 2024	262	216	82.4%
Q4 2024	262	228	87.0%
Q1 2025	240	204	85.0%
Q2 2025	254	212	83.5%
Q3 2025	236	208	88.1%
Q4 2025	256	218	85.2%
Q1 2026	275	239	86.9%
Q2 2026	47	45	95.7%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 308 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 75.0% in Hetton to 93.5% in St Peters, a gap of 18.5 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
St Michaels	282	258	24	91.5%
Doxford	227	179	48	78.9%
Millfield	219	197	22	90.0%
Hendon	217	173	44	79.7%
Southwick	211	186	25	88.2%
Washington North	191	166	25	86.9%
Hetton	184	138	46	75.0%
Fulwell	148	132	16	89.2%
Ryhope	132	105	27	79.5%
Copt Hill	128	108	20	84.4%
St Peters	123	115	8	93.5%
Washington Central	114	96	18	84.2%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Sunderland?

In the last 12 months, 92.9% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Sunderland, based on 127 decided applications. Across all application types, 86.4% of 3,157 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Sunderland?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Sunderland in the last 12 months was 64 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Sunderland?

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 Sunderland?

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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