Planning permission in Swale

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, 85.7% of 704 applications decided since May 2023 were approved. Based on Swale's public planning register. Data last updated: 12 April 2026.

755Total applications

704Decided

85.7%Approval rate (of decided)

603 Approved+101 Refused+31 Withdrawn+1 Pending+19 Outcome not determined=755 Total

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Decision Level

750Delegated

2Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	238	200	38	84.0%
Discharging planning conditions	179	166	13	92.7%
Tree works in a conservation area	58	58	0	no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	57	39	18	68.4%
Protected tree works (TPO)	49	43	6	87.8%
Listed Building Consent	29	25	4	86.2%
Prior approval (permitted development)	26	19	7	73.1%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	21	17	4	81.0%
Other*	47	36	11	mixed types

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

* Other combines smaller categories: Adjoining Authority Consultation (6), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (6), Outline Planning (6), Minerals and waste (6), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (5), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (5), Phone masts and telecoms (3), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (2), Modify Section 106 Agreement Under 5 yrs (2), Advertisement Consent (2), Hybrid Applications (1), Modify Section 106 Agreement (1), No Code (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	98	83	84.7%
Q4 2023	253	223	88.1%
Q1 2024	151	123	81.5%
Q2 2024	12	10	sample too small
Q3 2024	13	11	sample too small
Q4 2024	6	5	sample too small
Q1 2025	3	1	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 56 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 69.6% in North Downs to 100.0% in Teynham And Lynsted, a gap of 30.4 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Marden And Yalding	46	36	10	78.3%
Headcorn	28	25	3	89.3%
Harrietsham And Lenham	28	26	2	92.9%
High Street	25	22	3	88.0%
Staplehurst	25	18	7	72.0%
Borden And Grove Park	25	24	1	96.0%
Teynham And Lynsted	23	23	0	100.0%
North Downs	23	16	7	69.6%
Hartlip, Newington And Upchurch	22	16	6	72.7%
Heath	21	17	4	81.0%
Coxheath And Hunton	20	17	3	85.0%
Boughton And Courtenay	20	20	0	100.0%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Swale?

Across all application types, 85.7% of 704 applications decided in Swale since May 2023 were approved.

Do I need planning permission in Swale?

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 Swale?

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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