Planning permission in Uttlesford

In the last 12 months, 79.7% of home project applications were approved in Uttlesford (138 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 82.6% of 3,301 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Uttlesford's public planning register. Data last updated: 9 April 2026.

3,741Total applications

3,301Decided

82.6%Approval rate (of decided)

2,725 Approved+576 Refused+117 Withdrawn+267 Pending+56 Outcome not determined=3,741 Total

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Decision Level

3,641Delegated

92Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Discharging planning conditions	766	677	89	88.4%
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	710	582	128	82.0%
Full planning applications	540	407	133	75.4%
Protected tree works (TPO)	425	421	4	99.1%
Listed Building Consent	283	218	65	77.0%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	149	123	26	82.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	140	102	38	72.9%
Outline Planning	66	41	25	62.1%
Prior approval (permitted development)	55	34	21	61.8%
Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q)	37	17	20	45.9%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	34	25	9	73.5%
Advertisement Consent	21	15	6	71.4%
Other*	75	63	12	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: General PD - Extensions (17), Overhead Power Lines (15), County Council (13), Planning in Principle (11), S62A Designation application (7), Airport Permitted Development (5), Technical Details Consent (3), Hedgerow Removal (2), Solar Panels (Non Domestic) (1), Permitted Development Schedule 2 Part 20 (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	114	89	78.1%
Q4 2023	247	200	81.0%
Q1 2024	282	221	78.4%
Q2 2024	264	227	86.0%
Q3 2024	255	220	86.3%
Q4 2024	304	262	86.2%
Q1 2025	282	229	81.2%
Q2 2025	278	226	81.3%
Q3 2025	265	226	85.3%
Q4 2025	277	234	84.5%
Q1 2026	258	201	77.9%
Q2 2026	18	15	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 360 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 78.0% in High Easter And The Rodings to 88.3% in Littlebury, Chesterford And Wendens Loft, a gap of 10.3 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Felsted And Stebbing	241	195	46	80.9%
Thaxted And The Eastons	238	195	43	81.9%
Littlebury, Chesterford And Wendens Loft	230	203	27	88.3%
Broad Oak And The Hallingburys	224	176	48	78.6%
Takeley	217	181	36	83.4%
Great Dunmow South And Barnston	192	166	26	86.5%
Elsenham & Henham	176	148	28	84.1%
Clavering	172	139	33	80.8%
Saffron Walden Shire	171	150	21	87.7%
Saffron Walden Audley	168	147	21	87.5%
Stansted North	160	129	31	80.6%
High Easter And The Rodings	141	110	31	78.0%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Uttlesford?

In the last 12 months, 79.7% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Uttlesford, based on 138 decided applications. Across all application types, 82.6% of 3,301 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Uttlesford?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Uttlesford in the last 12 months was 56 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Uttlesford?

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 Uttlesford?

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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