Planning permission in Thanet

In the last 12 months, 92.9% of home project applications were approved in Thanet (168 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about ten weeks (median 69 days).

Across all application types, 91.3% of 3,106 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on Thanet's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

3,572Total applications

3,106Decided

91.3%Approval rate (of decided)

2,836 Approved+270 Refused+119 Withdrawn+322 Pending+25 Outcome not determined=3,572 Total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)	841	788	53	93.7%
Full planning applications	752	620	132	82.4%
Discharging planning conditions	567	559	8	98.6%
Protected tree works (TPO)	251	235	16	93.6%
Listed Building Consent	230	214	16	93.0%
Tree works in a conservation area	138	138	0	no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	91	74	17	81.3%
Advertisement Consent	80	76	4	95.0%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	62	57	5	91.9%
Other*	94	75	19	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: Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (18), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (14), Conditions Archaeology Report (13), Outline Planning (12), Prior approval (permitted development) (9), Prior App from Use Class E to Use Class (7), Phone masts and telecoms (6), Demolition (4), Additional Storey (4), Prior App Agricultural to Dwelling (3), Conditions Contaminated Land Report (2), Prior App Office to Dwelling (1), Prior App Shop/bank to Dwelling (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	89	79	88.8%
Q4 2023	260	227	87.3%
Q1 2024	238	219	92.0%
Q2 2024	239	218	91.2%
Q3 2024	272	255	93.8%
Q4 2024	259	228	88.0%
Q1 2025	254	227	89.4%
Q2 2025	286	261	91.3%
Q3 2025	242	227	93.8%
Q4 2025	262	244	93.1%
Q1 2026	254	231	90.9%
Q2 2026	27	24	88.9%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 319 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 85.5% in Cliftonville West to 94.1% in Thanet Villages, a gap of 8.6 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Thanet Villages	341	321	20	94.1%
Central Harbour	233	211	22	90.6%
St Peters	220	205	15	93.2%
Margate Central	211	186	25	88.2%
Viking	186	169	17	90.9%
Cliftonville West	159	136	23	85.5%
Bradstowe	156	143	13	91.7%
Eastcliff	151	134	17	88.7%
Northwood	151	139	12	92.1%
Westgate-on-Sea	148	134	14	90.5%
Birchington South	124	114	10	91.9%
Cliffsend And Pegwell	123	109	14	88.6%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Thanet?

In the last 12 months, 92.9% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Thanet, based on 168 decided applications. Across all application types, 91.3% of 3,106 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Thanet?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Thanet in the last 12 months was 69 days (about ten weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Thanet?

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 Thanet?

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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