Planning permission in Sutton

In the last 12 months, 88.2% of home project applications were approved in Sutton (399 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 57 days).

Across all application types, 83.1% of 3,529 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on Sutton's public planning register. Data last updated: 7 May 2026.

4,384Total applications

3,529Decided

83.1%Approval rate (of decided)

2,934 Approved+595 Refused+106 Withdrawn+253 Pending+496 Outcome not determined=4,384 Total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)	1,762	1,491	271	84.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	633	560	73	88.5%
Full planning applications	481	355	126	73.8%
Tree works in a conservation area	121	119	2	98.3%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	115	95	20	82.6%
Protected tree works (TPO)	106	103	3	97.2%
Advertisement Consent	56	48	8	85.7%
PD Notification	55	5	50	9.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	51	43	8	84.3%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	29	25	4	86.2%
Adjoining Authority	27	26	1	96.3%
PA Class E to Dwelling	26	19	7	73.1%
Other*	67	45	22	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Listed Building Consent (19), Phone masts and telecoms (9), Demolition (7), Section 73 (6), PA Additional Stories to Flats (5), PA New Dwellings on Detached Building (5), Permission in Principle (5), PA Photovoltaic Equipment (3), Outline Planning (2), PA Householder Upper Extension (2), PA Agricultural to Flex Use (B8,C1,E) (1), Approval Reserved Matters (1), PA Commercial to Residential (1), PA Class E to Mixed Com/Res (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	119	103	86.6%
Q4 2023	317	244	77.0%
Q1 2024	302	244	80.8%
Q2 2024	270	219	81.1%
Q3 2024	277	230	83.0%
Q4 2024	304	248	81.6%
Q1 2025	280	238	85.0%
Q2 2025	277	247	89.2%
Q3 2025	298	259	86.9%
Q4 2025	300	260	86.7%
Q1 2026	240	215	89.6%
Q2 2026	121	110	90.9%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 444 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 77.2% in Wallington South to 88.0% in The Wrythe, a gap of 10.8 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Cheam	319	259	60	81.2%
Carshalton Central	255	218	37	85.5%
North Cheam	236	203	33	86.0%
Beddington	230	194	36	84.3%
Sutton North	220	170	50	77.3%
Carshalton South & Clockhouse	217	189	28	87.1%
Sutton West & East Cheam	204	171	33	83.8%
Belmont	183	151	32	82.5%
Stonecot	181	148	33	81.8%
Wallington South	180	139	41	77.2%
South Beddington & Roundshaw	172	145	27	84.3%
The Wrythe	158	139	19	88.0%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Sutton?

In the last 12 months, 88.2% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Sutton, based on 399 decided applications. Across all application types, 83.1% of 3,529 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Sutton?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Sutton in the last 12 months was 57 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Sutton?

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 Sutton?

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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