Limited recent decision data is available for Tunbridge Wells, so we don't show a headline approval rate here — the figures below cover all application types on record.
Across all application types on record (2023-05-10–2026-05-01): 94.8% of 4,768 decisions approved.
| Category | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Planning Application | 2,030 | 1,893 | 137 | |
| Discharge of Conditions | 647 | 640 | 7 | |
| Tree Works (Conservation Area) | 569 | 569 | 0 | |
| Tree Works (TPO) | 536 | 517 | 19 | |
| Listed Building Consent | 284 | 270 | 14 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) | 178 | 156 | 22 | |
| Non-Material Amendment (S96a) | 177 | 153 | 24 | |
| Telecommunications | 77 | 75 | 2 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 71 | 67 | 4 | |
| Prior Approval (Other) | 68 | 62 | 6 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing) | 27 | 24 | 3 | |
| Overhead Electricity Line | 21 | 20 | 1 | |
| Adjoining Authority Consultation | 16 | 14 | 2 | |
| Prior Approval (Class Q — Agricultural to Residential) | 15 | 12 | 3 | |
| County/Minerals/Waste | 11 | 11 | 0 | |
| Reserved Matters | 9 | 9 | 0 | |
| Prior Approval (Class MA — Commercial to Residential) | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
| Outline Planning | 6 | 4 | 2 | |
| Householder (Prior Approval) | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
| Modify Section 106 Agreement | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| Not Available | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Permission in Principle | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Part 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Payphone | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Prior Approval (Class AA — Upward Extension) | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Hedgerow Removal | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Quarter | Decided | Approved | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | 389 | 371 | |
| 2023-Q4 | 507 | 484 | |
| 2024-Q1 | 498 | 473 | |
| 2024-Q2 | 500 | 479 | |
| 2024-Q3 | 372 | 355 | |
| 2024-Q4 | 413 | 385 | |
| 2025-Q1 | 308 | 292 | |
| 2025-Q2 | 535 | 505 | |
| 2025-Q3 | 484 | 452 | |
| 2025-Q4 | 284 | 275 | |
| 2026-Q1 | 284 | 262 | |
| 2026-Q2 | 110 | 104 |
| Ward | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park | 465 | 458 | 7 | |
| Rural Tunbridge Wells | 411 | 376 | 35 | |
| Culverden | 401 | 385 | 16 | |
| Hawkhurst, Sandhurst And Benenden | 296 | 268 | 28 | |
| Cranbrook, Sissinghurst And Frittenden | 284 | 273 | 11 | |
| Rusthall And Speldhurst | 239 | 227 | 12 | |
| Pantiles | 238 | 232 | 6 | |
| Pembury And Capel | 209 | 195 | 14 | |
| Benenden & Cranbrook | 192 | 180 | 12 | |
| Sherwood | 185 | 177 | 8 | |
| Speldhurst & Bidborough | 166 | 153 | 13 | |
| Brenchley & Horsmonden | 162 | 153 | 9 |
Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.