Aberdeen planning approval rate

Aberdeen council approved 94.3% of planning applications and refused 5.7%, based on 21,448 decisions analysed. Ranked 175th out of 221 councils for strictness.

Last updated: March 2026 · Based on decisions from January 2020 to present

94.3%

overall approval rate

21,448

Decisions analysed

20,217

Approved

1,231

Refused

Wards covered

Planning in Aberdeen? Check your postcode to see approval rates specific to your ward and street.

Approval rate by application type

Different application types have different approval rates in Aberdeen. Householder and full planning applications typically have the highest volume.

Other (21,448 decided)

94.3%

Approval rate by project type

These rates are based on what homeowners are actually building in Aberdeen — mined from 21,448 proposal descriptions.

Extension (General) (4,361 decided)

96.0%

Garage / Parking (2,679 decided)

91.2%

Change of Use (Residential) (1,817 decided)

89.6%

Dormer (1,350 decided)

94.1%

New Build (1,075 decided)

85.5%

Rear Extension (701 decided)

96.3%

Outbuilding (522 decided)

94.4%

Conservatory (348 decided)

97.7%

Side Extension (179 decided)

96.6%

Basement (174 decided)

87.9%

HMO (123 decided)

87.8%

Loft Conversion (77 decided)

94.8%

Annex (60 decided)

88.3%

Flat Conversion (47 decided)

83.0%

Wraparound Extension (27 decided)

92.6%

Front Extension (21 decided)

95.2%

Approval rate by ward

Planning outcomes vary significantly by ward within Aberdeen. Click any ward for detailed statistics.

Hazlehead/Queen's Cross/Countesswells (3,815 decided)

94.5%

Lower Deeside (2,725 decided)

93.2%

Torry/Ferryhill (2,172 decided)

93.6%

George Street/Harbour (2,113 decided)

93.0%

Mid Stocket/Rosemount (1,969 decided)

94.8%

Dyce/Bucksburn/Danestone (1,863 decided)

94.0%

Airyhall/Broomhill/Garthdee (1,494 decided)

95.1%

Kincorth/Nigg/Cove (1,383 decided)

96.2%

Bridge Of Don (1,324 decided)

95.2%

Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen (887 decided)

93.0%

Kingswells/Sheddocksley/Summerhill (877 decided)

96.4%

Hilton/Woodside/Stockethill (527 decided)

93.5%

Northfield/Mastrick North (275 decided)

92.7%

Wards in Aberdeen

Hazlehead/Queen's Cross/Countesswells

94.5% approval · 3,815 decisions

Lower Deeside

93.2% approval · 2,725 decisions

Torry/Ferryhill

93.6% approval · 2,172 decisions

George Street/Harbour

93.0% approval · 2,113 decisions

Mid Stocket/Rosemount

94.8% approval · 1,969 decisions

Dyce/Bucksburn/Danestone

94.0% approval · 1,863 decisions

Airyhall/Broomhill/Garthdee

95.1% approval · 1,494 decisions

Kincorth/Nigg/Cove

96.2% approval · 1,383 decisions

Bridge Of Don

95.2% approval · 1,324 decisions

Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen

93.0% approval · 887 decisions

Kingswells/Sheddocksley/Summerhill

96.4% approval · 877 decisions

Hilton/Woodside/Stockethill

93.5% approval · 527 decisions

Northfield/Mastrick North

92.7% approval · 275 decisions

Recent comparable decisions

The most recent residential planning decisions in Aberdeen, showing how the council decides real applications.

090484

Conversion of existing buildings to form 47 flats and 5 town housesand erection · Hazlehead/Queen's Cross/Countesswells ·

Approved

090522

Erection of 3 storey office extension to rear of property and demolition of exis · Mid Stocket/Rosemount ·

Refused

090535

Replace windows · Torry/Ferryhill ·

Approved

Showing 3 of 200 comparable decisions. See all 200 in the Pro Report →

What gets approved near your property?

In Aberdeen, 1 in 18 applications are refused. Your PlanningLens Pro Report gives you 17 pages of intelligence specific to your property:

✓ Ward-level approval rates for your exact area
✓ Common refusal reasons in Aberdeen
✓ Your 10 nearest comparable planning decisions
✓ Appeal success rates
✓ PDF report to share with your architect

Get Aberdeen Pro Report — £79

Less than one set of revised drawings. Based on 21,448 decisions.

Compare with nearby councils

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