Planning permission in York

In the last 12 months, 91.2% of home project applications were approved in York (113 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about nine weeks (median 63 days).

Across all application types, 89.8% of 3,157 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on York's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

4,292Total applications

3,157Decided

89.8%Approval rate (of decided)

2,834 Approved+323 Refused+129 Withdrawn+939 Pending+67 Outcome not determined=4,292 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	1,287	1,113	174	86.5%
Discharging planning conditions	459	437	22	95.2%
Tree works in a conservation area	346	344	2	99.4%
Listed Building Consent	191	169	22	88.5%
Phone masts and telecoms	182	168	14	92.3%
Protected tree works (TPO)	153	143	10	93.5%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	107	97	10	90.7%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	102	93	9	91.2%
Advertisement Consent	101	83	18	82.2%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	63	55	8	87.3%
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	53	44	9	83.0%
Prior approval (permitted development)	22	19	3	86.4%
Other*	91	69	22	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Full Planning (Major) (16), Agricultural Notice (16), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (14), General Regulations (Reg3) (14), Agricultural Building to C3 (6), Demolition (6), Outline Planning (5), Overhead Electricity Lines (3), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (3), Legal Agreement (2), Hedgerow Removal (2), Environmental impact screening and scoping (1), Approval of BNG Details (1), GPDO Part 18 Misc Development (1), Permission in Principle (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	85	74	87.1%
Q4 2023	271	251	92.6%
Q1 2024	254	228	89.8%
Q2 2024	257	229	89.1%
Q3 2024	283	255	90.1%
Q4 2024	255	230	90.2%
Q1 2025	251	219	87.3%
Q2 2025	297	263	88.6%
Q3 2025	250	225	90.0%
Q4 2025	266	233	87.6%
Q1 2026	260	235	90.4%
Q2 2026	38	36	94.7%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	15	15	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 375 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 86.0% in Micklegate to 92.5% in Dringhouses And Woodthorpe, a gap of 6.5 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Guildhall	454	416	38	91.6%
Micklegate	307	264	43	86.0%
Rural West York	265	238	27	89.8%
Rawcliffe And Clifton Without	159	145	14	91.2%
Heworth	154	136	18	88.3%
Holgate	149	133	16	89.3%
Clifton	144	130	14	90.3%
Osbaldwick And Derwent	142	128	14	90.1%
Haxby And Wigginton	136	123	13	90.4%
Dringhouses And Woodthorpe	134	124	10	92.5%
Fishergate	133	118	15	88.7%
Huntington/New Earswick	132	118	14	89.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in York?

In the last 12 months, 91.2% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in York, based on 113 decided applications. Across all application types, 89.8% of 3,157 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in York?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in York in the last 12 months was 63 days (about nine weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in York?

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 York?

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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