Dumfries & Galloway planning approval rate
Dumfries & Galloway council approved 97.7% of planning applications and refused 2.3%, based on 22,558 decisions analysed. Ranked 209th out of 221 councils for strictness.
Last updated: March 2026 · Based on decisions from January 2020 to present
97.7%
overall approval rate
Planning in Dumfries & Galloway?
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 Dumfries & Galloway. Householder and full planning applications typically have the highest volume.
Approval rate by project type
These rates are based on what homeowners are actually building in Dumfries & Galloway — mined from 22,558 proposal descriptions.
Approval rate by ward
Planning outcomes vary significantly by ward within Dumfries & Galloway. Click any ward for detailed statistics.
Dee And Glenkens (2,599 decided)
97.5%
Mid Galloway And Wigtown West (2,448 decided)
97.3%
Annandale North (2,173 decided)
97.6%
Mid And Upper Nithsdale (2,143 decided)
97.5%
Annandale East And Eskdale (1,972 decided)
98.1%
Castle Douglas And Crocketford (1,820 decided)
97.4%
Annandale South (1,554 decided)
97.5%
Nith (1,508 decided)
98.4%
Abbey (1,489 decided)
96.6%
Stranraer And The Rhins (1,475 decided)
96.7%
Lochar (1,270 decided)
98.4%
Mid Galloway (1,083 decided)
99.2%
North West Dumfries (631 decided)
98.3%
Wards in Dumfries & Galloway
Dee And Glenkens
97.5% approval · 2,599 decisions
Mid Galloway And Wigtown West
97.3% approval · 2,448 decisions
Annandale North
97.6% approval · 2,173 decisions
Mid And Upper Nithsdale
97.5% approval · 2,143 decisions
Annandale East And Eskdale
98.1% approval · 1,972 decisions
Castle Douglas And Crocketford
97.4% approval · 1,820 decisions
Annandale South
97.5% approval · 1,554 decisions
Nith
98.4% approval · 1,508 decisions
Abbey
96.6% approval · 1,489 decisions
Stranraer And The Rhins
96.7% approval · 1,475 decisions
Lochar
98.4% approval · 1,270 decisions
Mid Galloway
99.2% approval · 1,083 decisions
North West Dumfries
98.3% approval · 631 decisions
Recent comparable decisions
The most recent residential planning decisions in Dumfries & Galloway, showing how the council decides real applications.
ERECTION OF AGRICULTURAL BUILDING · Annandale North · Thu 05 Mar 2026
ALTERATIONS INCLUDING ENLARGEMENT OF WINDOW OPENINGS AND INSTALLATION OF WINDOWS · Mid Galloway And Wigtown West · Wed 04 Mar 2026
ERECTION OF DWELLINGHOUSE AND INSTALLATION OF SEPTIC TANK AND SOAKAWAY (RENEWAL · Mid And Upper Nithsdale · Wed 04 Mar 2026
Showing 3 of 200 comparable decisions. See all 200 in the Pro Report →
What gets approved near your property?
In Dumfries & Galloway, 1 in 43 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 Dumfries & Galloway
✓ Your 10 nearest comparable planning decisions
✓ Appeal success rates
✓ PDF report to share with your architect
Get Dumfries & Galloway Pro Report — £79
Less than one set of revised drawings. Based on 22,558 decisions.
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