In the last 12 months, 91.1% of full planning applications were approved in Wakefield (202 decided). A typical decision takes about fifteen weeks (median 108 days).
Across all application types on record (2023-02-06–2026-06-11): 90.3% of 2,186 decisions approved.
| Category | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Planning Application | 1,158 | 1,056 | 102 | |
| Discharge of Conditions | 323 | 323 | 0 | |
| Tree Works (TPO) | 184 | 102 | 82 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) | 122 | 118 | 4 | |
| PD Rear Extension Notification | 65 | 64 | 1 | |
| Variation/Removal of Conditions (S73) | 58 | 49 | 9 | |
| Non-Material Amendment (S96a) | 56 | 56 | 0 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 52 | 49 | 3 | |
| Listed Building Consent | 37 | 35 | 2 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing) | 27 | 24 | 3 | |
| Outline Planning | 15 | 12 | 3 | |
| Prior Approval (Other) | 14 | 13 | 1 | |
| Class E to C3 | 13 | 11 | 2 | |
| Solar Power Notification | 13 | 12 | 1 | |
| Reserved Matters | 11 | 11 | 0 | |
| Environmental Impact Assessment (Screening/Scoping) | 8 | 8 | 0 | |
| Demolition | 8 | 8 | 0 | |
| Telecommunications | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| Additional Stories to Existing Dwelling | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Tree Works (Conservation Area) | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| Uncategorised | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| Enforcement | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| Agricultural to C3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Hybrid Application | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Agricultural to Flexible Commercial Use | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Quarter | Decided | Approved | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | 116 | 106 | |
| 2023-Q4 | 190 | 177 | |
| 2024-Q1 | 210 | 187 | |
| 2024-Q2 | 183 | 156 | |
| 2024-Q3 | 261 | 236 | |
| 2024-Q4 | 233 | 202 | |
| 2025-Q1 | 232 | 214 | |
| 2025-Q2 | 237 | 220 | |
| 2025-Q3 | 231 | 208 | |
| 2025-Q4 | 100 | 90 | |
| 2026-Q1 | 97 | 86 | |
| 2026-Q2 | 17 | 15 |
| Ward | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield Rural | 200 | 176 | 24 | |
| Wakefield South | 151 | 132 | 19 | |
| Wakefield North | 141 | 131 | 10 | |
| Ackworth, North Elmsall And Upton | 139 | 121 | 18 | |
| Altofts And Whitwood | 116 | 112 | 4 | |
| Crofton, Ryhill And Walton | 113 | 101 | 12 | |
| Wrenthorpe And Outwood West | 111 | 99 | 12 | |
| Wakefield East | 110 | 105 | 5 | |
| Stanley And Outwood East | 110 | 102 | 8 | |
| Pontefract North | 103 | 89 | 14 | |
| Pontefract South | 100 | 86 | 14 | |
| Castleford Central And Glasshoughton | 100 | 94 | 6 |
Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.