Lewisham planning approval rate
Lewisham council approved 82.9% of planning applications and refused 17.1%, based on 24,367 decisions analysed. Ranked 26th out of 221 councils for strictness.
Last updated: March 2026 · Based on decisions from January 2020 to present
82.9%
overall approval rate
Planning in Lewisham?
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 Lewisham. 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 Lewisham — mined from 24,367 proposal descriptions.
Approval rate by ward
Planning outcomes vary significantly by ward within Lewisham. Click any ward for detailed statistics.
Brockley (1,442 decided)
83.8%
Catford South (1,311 decided)
71.1%
Crofton Park (1,244 decided)
82.2%
Lee Green (1,224 decided)
82.0%
Forest Hill (1,204 decided)
77.7%
Ladywell (1,199 decided)
80.7%
Perry Vale (1,180 decided)
80.3%
Blackheath (1,167 decided)
84.4%
Telegraph Hill (1,131 decided)
82.8%
Sydenham (1,074 decided)
77.1%
Rushey Green (1,013 decided)
76.4%
Lewisham Central (1,000 decided)
77.6%
New Cross Gate (941 decided)
89.7%
Grove Park (866 decided)
74.0%
Downham (763 decided)
70.1%
Evelyn (676 decided)
85.2%
Bellingham (619 decided)
77.1%
Hither Green (530 decided)
71.7%
LEWISHAM CENTRAL (487 decided)
98.2%
BROCKLEY (450 decided)
97.8%
Wards in Lewisham
Brockley
83.8% approval · 1,442 decisions
Catford South
71.1% approval · 1,311 decisions
Crofton Park
82.2% approval · 1,244 decisions
Lee Green
82.0% approval · 1,224 decisions
Forest Hill
77.7% approval · 1,204 decisions
Ladywell
80.7% approval · 1,199 decisions
Perry Vale
80.3% approval · 1,180 decisions
Blackheath
84.4% approval · 1,167 decisions
Telegraph Hill
82.8% approval · 1,131 decisions
Sydenham
77.1% approval · 1,074 decisions
Rushey Green
76.4% approval · 1,013 decisions
Lewisham Central
77.6% approval · 1,000 decisions
New Cross Gate
89.7% approval · 941 decisions
Grove Park
74.0% approval · 866 decisions
Downham
70.1% approval · 763 decisions
Evelyn
85.2% approval · 676 decisions
Bellingham
77.1% approval · 619 decisions
Hither Green
71.7% approval · 530 decisions
LEWISHAM CENTRAL
98.2% approval · 487 decisions
BROCKLEY
97.8% approval · 450 decisions
Recent comparable decisions
The most recent residential planning decisions in Lewisham, showing how the council decides real applications.
DC/25/142285
The installation of replacement PVCu windows to the front and rear elevations at · Crofton Park · 26/01/2026
DC/25/142181
Construction of a detached, one-bedroom, single storey plus roofspace chalet bun · Bellingham · 26/01/2026
DC/25/142058
The installation of replacement double glazed uPVC casement windows and sliding · Blackheath · 26/01/2026
Showing 3 of 200 comparable decisions. See all 200 in the Pro Report →
What gets approved near your property?
In Lewisham, 1 in 6 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 Lewisham
✓ Your 10 nearest comparable planning decisions
✓ Appeal success rates
✓ PDF report to share with your architect
Get Lewisham Pro Report — £79
Less than one set of revised drawings. Based on 24,367 decisions.
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