In the last 12 months, 98.0% of home project applications were approved in West Suffolk (148 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 61 days).
Across all application types, 94.7% of 3,165 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on West Suffolk's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.
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All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.
| Category | Decided | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home extensions and alterations (householder) | 698 | 682 | 16 | |
| Tree works in a conservation area | 563 | 558 | 5 | |
| Discharging planning conditions | 456 | 449 | 7 | |
| Full planning applications | 423 | 364 | 59 | |
| Protected tree works (TPO) | 284 | 267 | 17 | |
| LB Consent to alter/extend | 168 | 160 | 8 | |
| Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) | 146 | 142 | 4 | |
| Prior approval (permitted development) | 91 | 70 | 21 | |
| Changing a planning condition (S73) | 88 | 80 | 8 | |
| Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) | 72 | 70 | 2 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 55 | 51 | 4 | |
| Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) | 26 | 25 | 1 | |
| Other* | 95 | 80 | 15 | mixed types |
* Other combines smaller categories: Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (18), Outline Planning (17), Phone masts and telecoms (10), Environmental impact screening and scoping (9), Demolition (9), Circular 14/90 Overhead Electric Lines (9), Enforcement (6), Regulation 77 application (6), Hedgerow Removal (5), Hybrid Application (2), County Consultation (ES) (1), Section 106 Relaxation - 28 Days (1), Permission in Principle (1), County - Reg 3 Full application (1).
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 | 92 | 89 | |
| Q4 2023 | 235 | 225 | |
| Q1 2024 | 243 | 233 | |
| Q2 2024 | 272 | 257 | |
| Q3 2024 | 240 | 228 | |
| Q4 2024 | 260 | 247 | |
| Q1 2025 | 253 | 242 | |
| Q2 2025 | 238 | 220 | |
| Q3 2025 | 297 | 280 | |
| Q4 2025 | 272 | 250 | |
| Q1 2026 | 273 | 259 | |
| Q2 2026 | 30 | 28 | |
| Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) | 15 | 15 | sample too small |
The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 258 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.
Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 84.4% in Kentford And Moulton to 97.8% in Bardwell, a gap of 13.4 percentage points.
| Ward | Decided | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clare, Hundon And Kedington | 224 | 217 | 7 | |
| Abbeygate | 198 | 192 | 6 | |
| The Fornhams And Great Barton | 152 | 144 | 8 | |
| Risby | 137 | 131 | 6 | |
| Whepstead And Wickhambrook | 128 | 119 | 9 | |
| Newmarket East | 123 | 120 | 3 | |
| Withersfield | 122 | 116 | 6 | |
| Chedburgh And Chevington | 114 | 109 | 5 | |
| Horringer | 97 | 93 | 4 | |
| Bardwell | 92 | 90 | 2 | |
| Lakenheath | 91 | 86 | 5 | |
| Kentford And Moulton | 90 | 76 | 14 |
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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