Planning permission in Worcester

In the last 12 months, 89.5% of home project applications were approved in Worcester (124 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 53 days).

Across all application types, 90.4% of 1,768 applications decided since May 2023 were approved. Based on Worcester's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 May 2026.

2,155Total applications

1,768Decided

90.4%Approval rate (of decided)

1,598 Approved+170 Refused+128 Withdrawn+0 Pending+259 Outcome not determined=2,155 Total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)	473	434	39	91.8%
Full planning applications	326	259	67	79.4%
Tree works in a conservation area	192	190	2	99.0%
Protected tree works (TPO)	155	135	20	87.1%
Listed Building Consent	137	133	4	97.1%
Discharging planning conditions	112	112	0	no refusals recorded
Advertisement Consent	94	75	19	79.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	64	60	4	93.8%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	60	56	4	93.3%
GPDE - large home rear extension	53	51	2	96.2%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	24	23	1	95.8%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	21	19	2	90.5%
Other*	57	51	6	mixed types

Discharging planning conditions: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: GPDG - commercial, business and service (Use class E) , betting office, pay day loan, to mixed use (9), GPJ - installation/alteration Solar PV (9), Permission in Principle (9), Worcester Applications Regulation 3 (6), Demolition (5), GPDM - from Shops/A2 to dwellinghouses (5), Outline Planning (3), Phone masts and telecoms (3), PRIOR APP (PRA-APP) (2), Variations to Section 106 (2), GPDT - business, hotels to state funded (1), Change of Use (1), GPDU - Erection, extension or alteration of a University building (1), GPAA - Enlargement of a dwellinghouse by construction of additional storeys (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	67	61	91.0%
Q4 2023	120	110	91.7%
Q1 2024	132	122	92.4%
Q2 2024	131	113	86.3%
Q3 2024	135	123	91.1%
Q4 2024	158	145	91.8%
Q1 2025	123	115	93.5%
Q2 2025	196	169	86.2%
Q3 2025	187	165	88.2%
Q4 2025	189	169	89.4%
Q1 2026	152	144	94.7%
Q2 2026	103	99	96.1%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 124 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 85.5% in St. Johns Ward to 97.6% in Claines Ward, a gap of 12.1 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Cathedral Ward	286	265	21	92.7%
Battenhall Ward	142	130	12	91.5%
Arboretum Ward	129	120	9	93.0%
Claines Ward	125	122	3	97.6%
Cathedral Ward pre 01/05/2024	121	104	17	86.0%
Fort Royal	98	88	10	89.8%
Nunnery Ward	70	63	7	90.0%
St. Johns Ward	69	59	10	85.5%
St. Clement Ward	64	58	6	90.6%
Lower Wick and Pitmaston	61	54	7	88.5%
Warndon and Elbury Park	59	52	7	88.1%
Claines Ward pre 01/05/2024	51	48	3	94.1%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Worcester?

In the last 12 months, 89.5% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Worcester, based on 124 decided applications. Across all application types, 90.4% of 1,768 applications decided since May 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Worcester?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Worcester in the last 12 months was 53 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Worcester?

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 Worcester?

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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