Planning application decision timescales

How long it takes to make a decision on your planning application will depend on how big 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 complete application.

Examples of household or small/minor projects are:

• New shop fronts
• Applications to display an advert
• Small commercial extensions 
• Listed building applications
• Tree Preservation Order (TPO) applications 

The only exceptions to this are six weeks for works to trees in a conservation area and 28 days for a prior notification. If we need to ask the applicant for more information or suggest amendments this will add to the time.

Major planning applications

For major planning applications we aim to make a decision within 13 weeks of receiving a valid complete 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 unavoidable or when we believe it is in the applicant's interest to help get an approval.

Applicants (or their agents) are welcome to contact their Case Officer at any time to discuss the progress of their application. Case Officer details are set out in the acknowledgement letter.