Planning permission in Wakefield

In the last 12 months, 92.3% of home project applications were approved in Wakefield (78 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about ten weeks (median 70 days).

Across all application types, 90.2% of 2,183 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on Wakefield's public planning register. Data last updated: 8 April 2026.

2,595Total applications

2,183Decided

90.2%Approval rate (of decided)

1,970 Approved+213 Refused+73 Withdrawn+297 Pending+42 Outcome not determined=2,595 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	1,158	1,056	102	91.2%
Discharging planning conditions	323	323	0	no refusals recorded
Protected tree works (TPO)	184	102	82	55.4%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	122	118	4	96.7%
PD Rear Extension Notification	65	64	1	98.5%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	58	49	9	84.5%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	56	56	0	no refusals recorded
Advertisement Consent	52	49	3	94.2%
Listed Building Consent	37	35	2	94.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	27	24	3	88.9%
Other*	101	94	7	mixed types

Discharging planning conditions: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Outline Planning (15), Prior approval (permitted development) (14), Class E to C3 (13), Solar Power Notification (13), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (11), Environmental impact screening and scoping (8), Demolition (8), Phone masts and telecoms (5), Additional Stories to Existing Dwelling (4), Enforcement (3), Agricultural to C3 (2), Hybrid Application (1), Agricultural to Flexible Commercial 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	92	83	90.2%
Q4 2023	190	177	93.2%
Q1 2024	210	187	89.0%
Q2 2024	183	156	85.2%
Q3 2024	261	236	90.4%
Q4 2024	233	202	86.7%
Q1 2025	232	214	92.2%
Q2 2025	237	220	92.8%
Q3 2025	231	208	90.0%
Q4 2025	100	90	90.0%
Q1 2026	97	86	88.7%
Q2 2026	14	12	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 280 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 86.0% in Pontefract South to 96.6% in Altofts And Whitwood, a gap of 10.6 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Wakefield Rural	200	176	24	88.0%
Wakefield South	151	132	19	87.4%
Wakefield North	141	131	10	92.9%
Ackworth, North Elmsall And Upton	139	121	18	87.1%
Altofts And Whitwood	116	112	4	96.6%
Crofton, Ryhill And Walton	113	101	12	89.4%
Wrenthorpe And Outwood West	111	99	12	89.2%
Stanley And Outwood East	110	102	8	92.7%
Wakefield East	110	105	5	95.5%
Pontefract North	103	89	14	86.4%
Pontefract South	100	86	14	86.0%
Castleford Central And Glasshoughton	100	94	6	94.0%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Wakefield?

In the last 12 months, 92.3% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Wakefield, based on 78 decided applications. Across all application types, 90.2% of 2,183 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Wakefield?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Wakefield in the last 12 months was 70 days (about ten weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Wakefield?

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 Wakefield?

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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