Planning permission in Welwyn Hatfield

Limited recent decision data is available for Welwyn Hatfield, so we don't show a headline approval rate here. The figures below cover all application types on record.

Across all application types, 86.7% of 9,526 applications decided since August 2021 were approved. Based on Welwyn Hatfield's public planning register. Data last updated: 31 May 2026.

10,570Total applications

9,526Decided

86.7%Approval rate (of decided)

8,262 Approved+1,264 Refused+525 Withdrawn+351 Pending+168 Outcome not determined=10,570 Total

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Decision Level

5,754Delegated

16Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	3,105	2,621	484	84.4%
Tree works in a conservation area	1,478	1,450	28	98.1%
Protected tree works (TPO)	1,043	994	49	95.3%
Discharging planning conditions	793	688	105	86.8%
Full planning applications	767	564	203	73.5%
ESTATE MANAGEMENT	729	705	24	96.7%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	606	465	141	76.7%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	220	159	61	72.3%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	161	141	20	87.6%
Listed Building Consent	141	110	31	78.0%
Advertisement Consent	100	90	10	90.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	87	66	21	75.9%
Phone masts and telecoms	45	26	19	57.8%
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT	23	14	9	60.9%
Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA)	21	15	6	71.4%
Other*	207	154	53	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Outline Planning (18), Hedgerow Removal (17), OUTLINE PERMISSION (17), Prior approval (permitted development) (14), Class Q - AGRICULTURAL TO DWELLINGHOUSES - PRIOR APPROVAL (14), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (12), Solar Panels/PV - PRIOR APPROVAL (10), DEMOLITION - PRIOR APPROVAL (8), Class A: agricultural development on units of 5 hectares or more - PRIOR APPROVAL (8), Class B: agricultural development on units of less than 5 hectares - PRIOR APPROVAL (6), Class MA - Commercial, business and service uses to dwellinghouses (4), PERMISSION IN PRINCIPLE (4), Class E: forestry developments - PRIOR APPROVAL (3), Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) (3), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (2), Change of Use (2), Demolition (2), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (2), S106 DISCHARGE OR MODIFICATION OF PLANNING OBLIGATION (2), Environmental impact screening and scoping (1), ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT - SCREENING/SCOPING (1), ESTATE MANAGEMENT HOUSEHOLDER (1), S106 MODIFICATION (1), AGRICULTURAL TO A FLEXIBLE COMMERCIAL USE - PRIOR APPROVAL (1), Class A - Installation or alteration of solar equipment on domestic premises (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	220	188	85.5%
Q4 2023	460	395	85.9%
Q1 2024	417	360	86.3%
Q2 2024	480	393	81.9%
Q3 2024	490	406	82.9%
Q4 2024	541	483	89.3%
Q1 2025	356	319	89.6%
Q2 2025	467	412	88.2%
Q3 2025	493	448	90.9%
Q4 2025	513	472	92.0%
Q1 2026	361	326	90.3%
Q2 2026	282	260	92.2%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 415 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 73.2% in Hatfield South West to 95.2% in Sherrards, a gap of 22.0 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Handside	1,171	1,099	72	93.9%
Sherrards	584	556	28	95.2%
Northaw and Cuffley	459	375	84	81.7%
Welwyn West	448	370	78	82.6%
Welwyn East	339	290	49	85.5%
Brookmans Park & Little Heath	339	288	51	85.0%
Howlands	286	264	22	92.3%
Peartree	209	187	22	89.5%
Hatfield Villages	181	139	42	76.8%
Welham Green & Hatfield South	170	131	39	77.1%
Hatfield East	170	149	21	87.6%
Hatfield South West	157	115	42	73.2%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Welwyn Hatfield?

Across all application types, 86.7% of 9,526 applications decided in Welwyn Hatfield since August 2021 were approved.

Do I need planning permission in Welwyn Hatfield?

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 Welwyn Hatfield?

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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