Planning permission in West Northamptonshire

In the last 12 months, 91.3% of home project applications were approved in West Northamptonshire (493 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about fourteen weeks (median 97 days).

Across all application types, 93.5% of 10,408 applications decided since June 2023 were approved. Based on West Northamptonshire's public planning register. Data last updated: 15 May 2026.

12,412Total applications

10,408Decided

93.5%Approval rate (of decided)

9,729 Approved+679 Refused+434 Withdrawn+1,394 Pending+176 Outcome not determined=12,412 Total

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Decision Level

12,088Delegated

301Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	3,959	3,585	374	90.6%
Discharging planning conditions	1,967	1,940	27	98.6%
Tree works in a conservation area	1,212	1,212	0	no refusals recorded
Protected tree works (TPO)	568	561	7	98.8%
Listed Building Consent	511	447	64	87.5%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	471	415	56	88.1%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	400	378	22	94.5%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	253	230	23	90.9%
Prior approval (permitted development)	205	180	25	87.8%
Prior Notification Determination	184	173	11	94.0%
Advertisement Consent	174	164	10	94.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	122	110	12	90.2%
Prior Notification Enlargement of dwelling house	119	107	12	89.9%
Reserved matters (detail after outline approval)	69	68	1	98.6%
Outline Planning	51	34	17	66.7%
Permission in principle	33	15	18	45.5%
Environmental impact screening and scoping	28	28	0	no refusals recorded
HS2 Sch17 Approval plans and specifications	22	22	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	60	60	0	mixed types

Tree works in a conservation area: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Environmental impact screening and scoping: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

HS2 Sch17 Approval plans and specifications: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Development Consent Order Requirements (19), Section 106 (Clause Discharge) (17), Hedgerow Removal (8), Section 106 (Deed of Variation) (5), Other Authority Consultation (5), Hazardous Substances Consent (1), Conservation Area Consent (1), HS2 Sch 16 Site Restoration (1), Footpath Diversion (1), Regulation 3 Planning Permission (1), Regulation 4 Planning Permission (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	390	379	97.2%
Q4 2023	788	768	97.5%
Q1 2024	881	841	95.5%
Q2 2024	1,196	1,118	93.5%
Q3 2024	1,037	956	92.2%
Q4 2024	999	920	92.1%
Q1 2025	871	808	92.8%
Q2 2025	833	775	93.0%
Q3 2025	923	859	93.1%
Q4 2025	902	836	92.7%
Q1 2026	861	793	92.1%
Q2 2026	474	435	91.8%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 685 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 89.5% in Hackleton and Grange Park to 98.1% in Braunston & Crick Ward, a gap of 8.6 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Middleton Cheney	752	694	58	92.3%
Silverstone	735	677	58	92.1%
Moulton Ward	649	623	26	96.0%
Long Buckby	516	504	12	97.7%
Woodford & Weedon Ward	511	483	28	94.5%
Brixworth Ward	471	448	23	95.1%
Braunston & Crick Ward	463	454	9	98.1%
Deanshanger	439	406	33	92.5%
Bugbrooke	430	404	26	94.0%
Towcester and Roade	339	319	20	94.1%
Castle Ward	337	318	19	94.4%
Hackleton and Grange Park	313	280	33	89.5%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in West Northamptonshire?

In the last 12 months, 91.3% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in West Northamptonshire, based on 493 decided applications. Across all application types, 93.5% of 10,408 applications decided since June 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in West Northamptonshire?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in West Northamptonshire in the last 12 months was 97 days (about fourteen weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in West Northamptonshire?

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 West Northamptonshire?

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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