Planning outcomes in Orkney are highly localised. The gap between the most and least permissive wards is – — that's not noise, it's a fundamentally different planning environment depending on where you live.
See your ward's approval rate and nearby planning decisions — free and instant.
| # | Ward | Decisions | Approved | Refused | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stromness & South Isles | 1,175 | – | – | – |
| 2 | Kirkwall East | 1,098 | – | – | – |
| 3 | West Mainland | 1,632 | – | – | – |
| 4 | East Mainland, South Ronaldsay & Burray | 1,403 | – | – | – |
| 5 | Kirkwall West & Orphir | 1,360 | – | – | – |
| 6 | North Isles | 1,188 | – | – | – |
An extension might sail through in Stromness & South Isles but face serious resistance in North Isles.
Check your postcode to see what actually happens near your address.
– planning applications in Orkney have been refused since 2020. Many of those homeowners had already paid for drawings and application fees. A free, property-specific report shows you what gets approved — and what gets refused — near your property.
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