Planning permission in The Broads Authority

In the last 12 months, 96.9% of home project applications were approved in The Broads Authority (32 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work.

Across all application types, 96.0% of 757 applications decided since June 2023 were approved. Based on The Broads Authority's public planning register. Data last updated: 22 August 2026.

924Total applications
757Decided
96.0%Approval rate (of decided)
727 Approved+30 Refused+27 Withdrawn+0 Pending+140 Outcome not determined=924 Total
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By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Tree works in a conservation area 197 195 2
99.0%
Full planning applications 151 138 13
91.4%
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 150 142 8
94.7%
Approval of details reserved by cond 80 80 0 no refusals recorded
Protected tree works (TPO) 45 42 3
93.3%
Listed Building Consent 44 44 0 no refusals recorded
Changing a planning condition (S73) 28 25 3
89.3%
Other* 62 61 1 mixed types

Approval of details reserved by cond: 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.

* Other combines smaller categories: Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) (18), Consultation - Foresty Commission (6), Advertisement Consent (6), Phone masts and telecoms (6), Consultation on a Scoping Opinion (6), Agricultural/Forestry Development (5), Nationally Signif. Infrastructure Proj. (3), Change of Use (3), Marine based applications (2), Prior approval (permitted development) (1), Environmental impact screening and scoping (1), Scoping Opinion from Neighbouring LPA (1), Screening Opinion from neighbouring LPA (1), Demolition (1), Other (1), Electrical Installation and o/head lines (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 19 19 sample too small
Q4 2023 61 58
95.1%
Q1 2024 65 61
93.8%
Q2 2024 61 57
93.4%
Q3 2024 72 68
94.4%
Q4 2024 80 78
97.5%
Q1 2025 50 46
92.0%
Q2 2025 49 46
93.9%
Q3 2025 60 58
96.7%
Q4 2025 79 79
100.0%
Q1 2026 76 75
98.7%
Q2 2026 40 39
97.5%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 4 4 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 57 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 90.5% in Blofield And South Walsham to 100.0% in Oulton Broad Ward, a gap of 9.5 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
St Benet Ward 109 103 6
94.5%
Hoveton And Tunstead Ward 82 79 3
96.3%
Wroxham Ward 82 81 1
98.8%
Bungay And Wainford Ward 46 42 4
91.3%
Oulton Broad Ward 41 41 0
100.0%
Thorpe St Andrew South East Ward - 40 38 2
95.0%
Coltishall Ward 35 35 0
100.0%
Fleggburgh Ward 32 31 1
96.9%
Beccles And Worlingham Ward 30 28 2
93.3%
West Flegg Ward 29 27 2
93.1%
Stalham Ward 21 21 0
100.0%
Blofield And South Walsham 21 19 2
90.5%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in The Broads Authority?
In the last 12 months, 96.9% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in The Broads Authority, based on 32 decided applications. Across all application types, 96.0% of 757 applications decided since June 2023 were approved.
Do I need planning permission in The Broads Authority?
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 The Broads Authority?
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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