Planning permission in Wandsworth

In the last 12 months, 92.1% of home project applications were approved in Wandsworth (38 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 89.8% of 14,386 applications decided since August 2021 were approved. Based on Wandsworth's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

21,370Total applications

14,386Decided

89.8%Approval rate (of decided)

12,921 Approved+1,465 Refused+1,620 Withdrawn+730 Pending+4,634 Outcome not determined=21,370 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	4,153	3,828	325	92.2%
Full planning applications	3,363	2,929	434	87.1%
Discharging planning conditions	2,085	2,055	30	98.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	1,176	1,014	162	86.2%
Protected tree works (TPO)	746	660	86	88.5%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	588	485	103	82.5%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	408	352	56	86.3%
Advertisement Consent	404	342	62	84.7%
Matters relating to a S106 Agreement	300	300	0	no refusals recorded
Listed Building Consent	221	212	9	95.9%
Prior approval (permitted development)	187	139	48	74.3%
Phone masts and telecoms	182	130	52	71.4%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	162	131	31	80.9%
Council's Own Application (Reg 3)	103	102	1	99.0%
Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA)	85	60	25	70.6%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	40	27	13	67.5%
Minor Commercial	30	27	3	90.0%
Observations to Another Local Authority	20	18	2	outcome not determined
Application for Temporary Permission	20	17	3	85.0%
Other*	113	93	20	mixed types

Matters relating to a S106 Agreement: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Observations to Another Local Authority: 22 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Thames Tideway Tunnel (19), Prior Approval Commercial Business & Service (Class E) to Resi (Pt 3 Class MA) (16), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (15), Variation of a Legal Agreement (10), Environmental impact screening and scoping (7), Prior Approval Shop to Residential (4), Thames Water PD Part 13 (4), Council's Own Application (Reg 4) (4), Permission in Principle (4), Prior Approval Network Rail (4), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (4), Non-Material Amendment (3), Prior Approval Solar Photovoltaics equipment (3), Details (following full perm.) (2), Telecoms Application PD (2), Demolition (2), Prior Approval New Dwellings on Terrace Bldg in Comm or Mixed Use (Part 20 Class AB) (2), Relevant Demolition in a Conservation Area (2), Prior Approval New Dwellings on Blocks of Flats (Part 20 Class A) (1), Tree works in a conservation area (1), Prior Approval Office to Residential (1), Storage of Hazardous Substances (1), Outline Planning (1), Prior Approval Demolition of bldg and construction of new dwellings (Part 20 Class ZA) (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	4	4	sample too small
Q4 2023	12	10	sample too small
Q1 2024	9	9	sample too small
Q2 2024	4	4	sample too small
Q3 2024	8	8	sample too small
Q4 2024	3	3	sample too small
Q1 2025	1	1	sample too small
Q2 2025	1	1	sample too small
Q3 2025	108	108	100.0%
Q4 2025	13	12	sample too small
Q1 2026	112	104	92.9%
Q2 2026	25	20	80.0%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	5	5	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 1,261 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 85.9% in West Putney to 90.8% in Balham, a gap of 4.9 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Thamesfield	739	657	82	88.9%
Balham	715	649	66	90.8%
Wandsworth Common	699	608	91	87.0%
Tooting Broadway	664	589	75	88.7%
Northcote	579	518	61	89.5%
Wandsworth Town	551	489	62	88.7%
West Putney	531	456	75	85.9%
Furzedown	526	462	64	87.8%
East Putney	494	433	61	87.7%
Tooting Bec	494	425	69	86.0%
Lavender	463	412	51	89.0%
Wandle	459	408	51	88.9%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Wandsworth?

In the last 12 months, 92.1% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Wandsworth, based on 38 decided applications. Across all application types, 89.8% of 14,386 applications decided since August 2021 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Wandsworth?

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

Do I need planning permission in Wandsworth?

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 Wandsworth?

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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