Planning permission in Three Rivers

In the last 12 months, 90.3% of home project applications were approved in Three Rivers (217 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 59 days).

Across all application types, 89.2% of 2,884 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Three Rivers's public planning register. Data last updated: 18 July 2026.

3,838Total applications

2,884Decided

89.2%Approval rate (of decided)

2,573 Approved+311 Refused+214 Withdrawn+294 Pending+446 Outcome not determined=3,838 Total

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Decision Level

3,674Delegated

38Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	1,323	1,181	142	89.3%
Protected tree works (TPO)	364	281	83	77.2%
Tree works in a conservation area	343	343	0	no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	329	314	15	95.4%
PD - Extensions	144	119	25	82.6%
Dead, diseased or dangerous	104	104	0	no refusals recorded
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	76	64	12	84.2%
Neighbouring Authority Consultation	45	42	3	93.3%
Listed Building Consent	38	33	5	86.8%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	22	13	9	59.1%
Other*	96	79	17	mixed types

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

Dead, diseased or dangerous: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Advertisement Consent (16), PD - Additional Storeys to dwellinghouse (12), HCC App for County Use (9), Biodiversity Gain Plan (9), Prior approval (permitted development) (6), Discharging planning conditions (6), Change of Use (5), HS2 schedule 17 application (4), PDN Agriculture (4), Outline Planning (4), Phone masts and telecoms (4), Commercial, business, service to Resi (3), Demolition (2), PD - New dwlg on det dwlghses (2), PD - Flexible Uses (2), Section 106 BA (Rev affordable hsg Cont) (2), Cert of Proposed Works for a Listed Bldg (1), Public Service Infrastructure Dev't (1), Electricity Undertakings (1), PD - Office to Residential (1), PD - Pt18 Miscellaneous development (1), Council App for Council use (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	172	156	90.7%
Q4 2023	223	197	88.3%
Q1 2024	243	228	93.8%
Q2 2024	206	182	88.3%
Q3 2024	244	213	87.3%
Q4 2024	230	201	87.4%
Q1 2025	210	186	88.6%
Q2 2025	251	221	88.0%
Q3 2025	241	212	88.0%
Q4 2025	221	202	91.4%
Q1 2026	244	221	90.6%
Q2 2026	23	22	95.7%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	1	1	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 116 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 78.7% in Carpenders Park to 96.4% in Penn And Mill End, a gap of 17.7 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Chorleywood North And Sarratt	543	489	54	90.1%
Moor Park And Eastbury	413	354	59	85.7%
Chorleywood South And Maple Cross	332	303	29	91.3%
Rickmansworth Town	243	227	16	93.4%
Dickinsons	231	209	22	90.5%
Abbots Langley And Bedmond	177	150	27	84.7%
Carpenders Park	169	133	36	78.7%
Leavesden	144	130	14	90.3%
Durrants	140	128	12	91.4%
Gade Valley	139	121	18	87.1%
Oxhey Hall And Hayling	127	117	10	92.1%
Penn And Mill End	110	106	4	96.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Three Rivers?

In the last 12 months, 90.3% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Three Rivers, based on 217 decided applications. Across all application types, 89.2% of 2,884 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Three Rivers?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Three Rivers in the last 12 months was 59 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Three Rivers?

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 Three Rivers?

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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