Planiverse / Authorities / Wandsworth

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 14,470 applications decided since August 2021 were approved. Based on Wandsworth's public planning register. Data last updated: 5 July 2026.

21,040Total applications
14,470Decided
89.8%Approval rate (of decided)
12,991 Approved+1,479 Refused+1,568 Withdrawn+502 Pending+4,500 Outcome not determined=21,040 Total
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By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 4,183 3,854 329
92.1%
Full planning applications 3,380 2,943 437
87.1%
Discharging planning conditions 2,089 2,059 30
98.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 1,193 1,026 167
86.0%
Protected tree works (TPO) 747 661 86
88.5%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 591 488 103
82.6%
Changing a planning condition (S73) 413 356 57
86.2%
Advertisement Consent 404 342 62
84.7%
Matters relating to a S106 Agreement 300 300 0 no refusals recorded
Listed Building Consent 222 213 9
95.9%
Prior approval (permitted development) 187 139 48
74.3%
Phone masts and telecoms 183 131 52
71.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 163 132 31
81.0%
Council's Own Application (Reg 3) 104 103 1
99.0%
Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) 85 60 25
70.6%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval) 41 28 13
68.3%
Minor Commercial 30 27 3
90.0%
Observations to Another Local Authority 23 21 2
91.3%
Application for Temporary Permission 20 17 3
85.0%
Other* 112 91 21 mixed types

Matters relating to a S106 Agreement: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, 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 (8), Prior Approval Shop to Residential (6), 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), Prior Approval Solar Photovoltaics equipment (3), Non-Material Amendment (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), Telecoms Application PD (1), 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.

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 8 8 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) 1 1 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 1,260 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.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval 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 14,470 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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