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Planning permission in Tunbridge Wells

In the last 12 months, 95.6% of home project applications were approved in Tunbridge Wells (183 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 58 days).

Across all application types, 94.7% of 4,765 applications decided since May 2023 were approved. Based on Tunbridge Wells's public planning register. Data last updated: 26 July 2026.

5,392Total applications
4,765Decided
94.7%Approval rate (of decided)
4,514 Approved+251 Refused+154 Withdrawn+357 Pending+116 Outcome not determined=5,392 Total
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Decision Level
5,261Delegated
79Committee
By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 2,030 1,893 137
93.3%
Discharging planning conditions 648 641 7
98.9%
Tree works in a conservation area 569 569 0 no refusals recorded
Protected tree works (TPO) 532 513 19
96.4%
Listed Building Consent 284 270 14
95.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 179 157 22
87.7%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 179 154 25
86.0%
Phone masts and telecoms 77 75 2
97.4%
Advertisement Consent 71 67 4
94.4%
Prior approval (permitted development) 64 58 6
90.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 27 24 3
88.9%
Overhead Electricity Line 21 20 1
95.2%
Other* 84 73 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 (16), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (15), Minerals and waste (11), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (9), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (6), Outline Planning (6), Larger extensions (householder prior approval) (6), Modify Section 106 Agreement (5), Not Available (3), Permission in Principle (2), Part 18 (1), Payphone (1), Consultation rec'd from neighbouring LA (1), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (1), Hedgerow Removal (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 234 220
94.0%
Q4 2023 507 484
95.5%
Q1 2024 498 473
95.0%
Q2 2024 499 478
95.8%
Q3 2024 370 353
95.4%
Q4 2024 413 385
93.2%
Q1 2025 308 292
94.8%
Q2 2025 535 505
94.4%
Q3 2025 482 450
93.4%
Q4 2025 284 275
96.8%
Q1 2026 284 262
92.3%
Q2 2026 108 102
94.4%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 5 4 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 463 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 90.5% in Hawkhurst, Sandhurst And Benenden to 98.5% in Park, a gap of 8.0 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Park 465 458 7
98.5%
Rural Tunbridge Wells 410 375 35
91.5%
Culverden 401 385 16
96.0%
Hawkhurst, Sandhurst And Benenden 294 266 28
90.5%
Cranbrook, Sissinghurst And Frittenden 283 272 11
96.1%
Rusthall And Speldhurst 238 226 12
95.0%
Pantiles 238 232 6
97.5%
Pembury And Capel 209 195 14
93.3%
Benenden & Cranbrook 192 180 12
93.8%
Sherwood 185 177 8
95.7%
Speldhurst & Bidborough 166 153 13
92.2%
Brenchley & Horsmonden 161 152 9
94.4%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Tunbridge Wells?
In the last 12 months, 95.6% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Tunbridge Wells, based on 183 decided applications. Across all application types, 94.7% of 4,765 applications decided since May 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Tunbridge Wells?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Tunbridge Wells in the last 12 months was 58 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Tunbridge Wells?
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 Tunbridge Wells?
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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