Planning permission in Woking

In the last 12 months, 86.8% of home project applications were approved in Woking (296 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 84.4% of 4,235 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Woking's public planning register. Data last updated: 8 April 2026.

4,701Total applications

4,235Decided

84.4%Approval rate (of decided)

3,576 Approved+659 Refused+0 Withdrawn+466 Pending+0 Outcome not determined=4,701 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	1,510	1,245	265	82.5%
Protected tree works (TPO)	797	743	54	93.2%
Discharging planning conditions	415	411	4	99.0%
Full planning applications	408	278	130	68.1%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	287	216	71	75.3%
Tree works in a conservation area	201	200	1	99.5%
Minor Amendments	109	71	38	65.1%
Modification of Conditions / Planning P.	105	93	12	88.6%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	88	70	18	79.5%
Advertisement Consent	66	52	14	78.8%
Dead And Dangerous	42	42	0	no refusals recorded
Listed Building Consent	39	35	4	89.7%
Change of Use	36	18	18	50.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	31	25	6	80.6%
Consultation - formal	29	25	4	86.2%
Other*	72	52	20	mixed types

Dead And Dangerous: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Prior approval (permitted development) (12), Regulation 75 - 2017 Habitat regulations (11), PA - roofmnted solar panels on non-domst (9), PA - Enlargemnt dwellhs additnal storeys (7), Phone masts and telecoms (7), Consultation by Surrey County Council (6), PA - New dwellinghses detched commercial (5), PD CHECK (3), Screening (3), Changing a planning condition (S73) (2), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (2), PA - Dem and constrctn of new dwellinghs (2), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (1), Outline Planning (1), PA - New dwellinghses detched flat block (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	143	124	86.7%
Q4 2023	340	286	84.1%
Q1 2024	373	318	85.3%
Q2 2024	304	255	83.9%
Q3 2024	365	290	79.5%
Q4 2024	402	332	82.6%
Q1 2025	332	270	81.3%
Q2 2025	381	312	81.9%
Q3 2025	404	351	86.9%
Q4 2025	326	282	86.5%
Q1 2026	333	294	88.3%
Q2 2026	5	4	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 5 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 77.3% in Hoe Valley to 89.5% in Mount Hermon, a gap of 12.2 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Heathlands	663	564	99	85.1%
Pyrford	544	465	79	85.5%
Horsell	543	475	68	87.5%
Canalside	518	408	110	78.8%
Byfleet And West Byfleet	508	438	70	86.2%
Mount Hermon	458	410	48	89.5%
Knaphill	287	236	51	82.2%
St Johns	276	232	44	84.1%
Hoe Valley	273	211	62	77.3%
Goldsworth Park	149	125	24	83.9%
Not Available, if this is a comment please see the Documents Tab	5	3	2	sample too small
Goldsworth East	4	4	0	sample too small

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Woking?

In the last 12 months, 86.8% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Woking, based on 296 decided applications. Across all application types, 84.4% of 4,235 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Woking?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Woking in the last 12 months was 56 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Woking?

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 Woking?

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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