In the last 12 months, 98.8% of householder applications were approved in West Suffolk (166 decided). A typical householder decision takes about nine weeks (median 60 days).
Full planning applications: 89.6% approved (115 decided).
Across all application types on record (2023-01-27–2026-07-01): 95.2% of 3,156 decisions approved.
| Category | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Householder | 698 | 682 | 16 | |
| Tree Works (Conservation Area) | 563 | 558 | 5 | |
| Discharge of Conditions | 447 | 440 | 7 | |
| Full Planning Application | 423 | 364 | 59 | |
| Tree Works (TPO) | 284 | 267 | 17 | |
| LB Consent to alter/extend | 168 | 160 | 8 | |
| Non-Material Amendment (S96a) | 145 | 141 | 4 | |
| Prior Approval (Other) | 91 | 83 | 8 | |
| Variation/Removal of Conditions (S73) | 88 | 80 | 8 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) | 72 | 70 | 2 | |
| Advertisement Consent | 55 | 51 | 4 | |
| Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing) | 26 | 25 | 1 | |
| Reserved Matters | 18 | 18 | 0 | |
| Outline Planning | 17 | 9 | 8 | |
| Telecommunications | 11 | 11 | 0 | |
| Environmental Impact Assessment (Screening/Scoping) | 9 | 9 | 0 | |
| Demolition | 9 | 9 | 0 | |
| Circular 14/90 Overhead Electric Lines | 9 | 9 | 0 | |
| Enforcement | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
| Regulation 77 application | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| Hedgerow Removal | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| Hybrid Application | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| County Consultation (ES) | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Agricultural | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Section 106 Relaxation - 28 Days | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Permission in Principle | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Quarter | Decided | Approved | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | 230 | 219 | |
| 2023-Q4 | 235 | 225 | |
| 2024-Q1 | 244 | 234 | |
| 2024-Q2 | 272 | 258 | |
| 2024-Q3 | 240 | 228 | |
| 2024-Q4 | 260 | 247 | |
| 2025-Q1 | 253 | 242 | |
| 2025-Q2 | 238 | 221 | |
| 2025-Q3 | 297 | 282 | |
| 2025-Q4 | 272 | 259 | |
| 2026-Q1 | 273 | 259 | |
| 2026-Q2 | 35 | 34 | |
| 2026-Q3 | 1 | 1 |
| Ward | Total | Approved | Refused | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clare, Hundon And Kedington | 224 | 219 | 5 | |
| Abbeygate | 198 | 192 | 6 | |
| The Fornhams And Great Barton | 151 | 143 | 8 | |
| Risby | 137 | 131 | 6 | |
| Whepstead And Wickhambrook | 128 | 121 | 7 | |
| Newmarket East | 123 | 120 | 3 | |
| Withersfield | 121 | 115 | 6 | |
| Chedburgh And Chevington | 114 | 110 | 4 | |
| Horringer | 97 | 93 | 4 | |
| Bardwell | 91 | 89 | 2 | |
| Kentford And Moulton | 90 | 83 | 7 | |
| Lakenheath | 89 | 84 | 5 |
Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.