We don't yet have enough recent decisions in Swale to show a reliable approval rate. The figures below cover all application types on record.
Across all application types on record (2023-05-16–2026-02-16): 85.9% of 715 decisions approved.
| Category | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Planning Application | 238 | 200 | 38 | |
| Discharge of Conditions | 186 | 173 | 13 | |
| Tree Works (Conservation Area) | 59 | 59 | 0 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) | 57 | 39 | 18 | |
| Tree Works (TPO) | 52 | 46 | 6 | |
| Listed Building Consent | 29 | 25 | 4 | |
| Prior Approval (Other) | 26 | 19 | 7 | |
| Non-Material Amendment (S96a) | 21 | 17 | 4 | |
| Adjoining Authority Consultation | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing) | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
| Outline Planning | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| County/Minerals/Waste | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| Reserved Matters | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| Prior Approval (Class Q — Agricultural to Residential) | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| Telecommunications | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| Prior Approval (Class MA — Commercial to Residential) | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Modify Section 106 Agreement Under 5 yrs | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Hybrid Applications | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Modify Section 106 Agreement | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| No Code | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Hedgerow Removal | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Quarter | Decided | Approved | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | 193 | 170 | |
| 2023-Q4 | 256 | 226 | |
| 2024-Q1 | 156 | 128 | |
| 2024-Q2 | 13 | 11 | |
| 2024-Q3 | 14 | 12 | |
| 2024-Q4 | 6 | 5 | |
| 2025-Q1 | 3 | 1 |
| Ward | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marden And Yalding | 46 | 36 | 10 | |
| Headcorn | 28 | 25 | 3 | |
| Harrietsham And Lenham | 28 | 26 | 2 | |
| Staplehurst | 26 | 19 | 7 | |
| Borden And Grove Park | 25 | 24 | 1 | |
| High Street | 25 | 22 | 3 | |
| Teynham And Lynsted | 23 | 23 | 0 | |
| North Downs | 23 | 16 | 7 | |
| Hartlip, Newington And Upchurch | 22 | 16 | 6 | |
| Heath | 22 | 18 | 4 | |
| Coxheath And Hunton | 21 | 18 | 3 | |
| Boughton And Courtenay | 20 | 20 | 0 |
Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.