Planiverse / Authorities / Westminster

Planning permission in Westminster

We don't yet have enough recent decisions in Westminster to show a reliable approval rate. The figures below cover all application types on record.

Across all application types, 90.5% of 4,233 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Westminster's public planning register. Data last updated: 13 May 2026.

6,176Total applications
4,233Decided
90.5%Approval rate (of decided)
3,830 Approved+403 Refused+267 Withdrawn+1,589 Pending+87 Outcome not determined=6,176 Total
Reports for Westminster are coming soon.

We are not yet generating property reports for Westminster. You can still look up an address to see its planning constraints (conservation area, listed building, Article 4 direction, flood zone), and leave your email to hear when Westminster reports go live.

Look up a property in Westminster See a sample report
By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 1,263 1,115 148
88.3%
Discharging planning conditions 878 800 78
91.1%
Listed Building Consent 876 821 55
93.7%
Advertisement Consent 434 365 69
84.1%
Protected tree works (TPO) 332 332 0 no refusals recorded
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 170 145 25
85.3%
Applic. for tables and chairs 59 58 1
98.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 50 46 4
92.0%
Approval of Details (Full PP) 38 35 3
92.1%
Application for obs to adj boroughs 34 27 7
79.4%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 27 22 5
81.5%
Other* 72 64 8 mixed types

Protected tree works (TPO): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Approval of Details (ADLBC) (15), Cert of Law - Prposed works to LB (14), Tree works in a conservation area (13), Modification or Discharge of a S106 (12), Prior approval (permitted development) (8), Ecclesiastical Exemption Notification (3), Environmental impact screening and scoping (2), Phone masts and telecoms (2), Prior Approval Class E to Dwellings (MA) (1), CO application for prior ap. to demolish (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 365 326
89.3%
Q4 2023 929 829
89.2%
Q1 2024 650 591
90.9%
Q2 2024 166 145
87.3%
Q3 2024 84 68
81.0%
Q4 2024 35 30
85.7%
Q1 2025 13 7 sample too small
Q2 2025 12 10 sample too small
Q3 2025 6 6 sample too small
Q4 2025 5 4 sample too small
Q1 2026 47 47
100.0%
Q2 2026 82 75
91.5%
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 176 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 86.1% in Pimlico North to 95.8% in Maida Vale, a gap of 9.7 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
West End 980 885 95
90.3%
St James's 744 695 49
93.4%
Knightsbridge & Belgravia 490 450 40
91.8%
Marylebone 370 329 41
88.9%
Abbey Road 278 249 29
89.6%
Lancaster Gate 221 192 29
86.9%
Regent's Park 191 182 9
95.3%
Bayswater 167 149 18
89.2%
Little Venice 142 129 13
90.8%
Hyde Park 137 119 18
86.9%
Pimlico North 108 93 15
86.1%
Maida Vale 71 68 3
95.8%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Westminster?
Across all application types, 90.5% of 4,233 applications decided in Westminster since January 2023 were approved.
Do I need planning permission in Westminster?
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 Westminster?
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.

Reports for Westminster are coming soon. Look up an address now to see its constraints, and join the waitlist.

Look up a property in Westminster See a sample report