Planning application decision timescales

How long it takes to make a decision on your planning application will depend on how complex the proposed project is: 

Household and small or minor developments 

With household or small or minor projects we aim to make a decision within eight weeks of receiving a valid application. 

Examples of household or small/minor projects are: 

• New shop fronts 

• Household extensions 

• Applications to display an advert 

• Small commercial extensions  

• Domestic Listed Building Consent applications 

• Tree Preservation Order (TPO) applications  

The only exceptions to this are six weeks for works to trees in a conservation area and various timescales for different types of prior notification application. 

Major planning applications 

For major planning applications we aim to make a decision within 13 weeks of receiving a valid application. This is increased to 16 weeks if the application requires an Environmental Impact Assessment. 

Examples of major planning projects include: 

• Developments of ten or more houses 

• Commercial development over 1000 square metres 

The more complex the project, the longer it will take to make a decision. However, we will normally only delay the application when this is necessary to resolve issues that the application presents, if possible, and in these circumstances we will approach you to explain why and agree additional time.

More information about how we process applications can be found in the Development Management Customer Charter.