Data-backed planning intelligence · 2,650,000+ decisions analysed across England, Scotland and Wales

Planning Permission in Westminster: 90.8% Approval Rate

Westminster Council approves 90.8% of planning applications, based on 60,698 real decisions analysed from the council’s public planning portal. The national average across all councils tracked by PlanningLens is 88.0%. Westminster sits 2.8 percentage points above the national average.

60,698 decisions analysed·Updated May 2026·Every result links to the original council record
90.8%
Approval rate
60,698
Decisions
55,135
Approved
5,563
Refused
Postcodes served by Westminster: NW1, NW8, SW1A, SW1E, SW1H, SW1P, SW1V, W1B, W1C, W1D, W1F, W1G, W1H, W1J, W1K, W1S, W1T, W1U, W1W, W2, WC1, WC2

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Approval Rates by Application Type in Westminster

Not all applications are treated equally. Extension types, listed building consent, and change of use applications each have very different success rates in Westminster.

Application TypeApprovedRefusedTotalRate
Other54,9675,51460,481
90.9%
Prior Approval16849217
77.4%
See how this applies to your postcode →

These are averages. Your property is specific.

A loft conversion in one ward can have a 90% approval rate. In the next ward, 55%. The free check tells you which side you're on — your free property report is emailed in minutes.

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Approval Rate Trend in Westminster

How Westminster’s planning approval rate has changed year by year — down 9.4pp since 2018.

97.5%
2018
90.1%
2019
90.7%
2020
90.4%
2021
90.1%
2022
88.9%
2023
89.9%
2024
88.1%
2025

Bar height reflects approval rate. Colour: green ≥85%, amber ≥70%, red below 70%.

Recent Planning Decisions in Westminster

Real residential planning decisions from Westminster council. Each reference links to the council's own planning portal so you can verify the details yourself.

ReferenceProposalDecision
25/07981/TCA
Kbw_22
1 x Acer (rear): Remove lowest branch (shown in the attached photograph) that ovApproved
26/00311/LBC
Kbw_22
Internal refurbishment and layout alterationsApproved
25/08705/ADFULL
Pnw_22
Details of new window to rear pursuant to condition 4 of planning permission datApproved
26/00142/LBC
Pnw_22
Creation of an open plan kitchen by creating an opening in a non supporting wallApproved
26/00916/ADFULL
Kbw_22
Details plans and elevations of all new external doors, windows and rooflights pApproved
26/01229/OBS
This development is proposed to be a phased development (phase 1: demolition, phApproved
25/08126/FULL
Mbw_22
Erection of a mansard roof extension at second floor level and alterations to thApproved
25/04470/LBC
Kbw_22
Installation of seven new French doors with fanlights at front elevation facing Approved
26/01299/ADLBC
Pnw_22
Details of new cornices, chimneypieces, skirtings, internal doors and window to Approved
25/08472/ADFULL
Wew_22
Details of windows, rooflights and balustrades detailing pursuant to condition 2Approved

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Planning Data for Nearby Councils

Compare Westminster's planning approval rates with neighbouring areas:

Explore Westminster's Planning Data

Dig deeper into Westminster's planning statistics — by ward, extension type, or project category:

Planning Guides

Data-driven guides to help you understand planning approval patterns:

Frequently Asked Questions: Planning in Westminster

Is there a free planning permission checker for Westminster?

Yes. PlanningLens offers a free planning permission check for Westminster. Enter your postcode to instantly see approval rates for your ward and application type, based on 60,698 real decisions from Westminster council. The full property-specific report is also free and emailed within minutes.

How do I check if my planning application will be approved in Westminster?

Enter your postcode on PlanningLens for a free instant check based on Westminster's real planning decisions. The free property report goes further: it analyses the 20 nearest comparable decisions to your property, ward-level refusal patterns, and approval rates by application type. Free and emailed within minutes.

What is the planning approval rate in Westminster?

Based on 60,698 planning decisions, the overall approval rate in Westminster is 90.8%. The national average across councils tracked by PlanningLens is 88.0%. Rates vary significantly by ward and application type.

How many planning applications have been decided in Westminster?

PlanningLens has analysed 60,698 planning decisions from Westminster council. 55,135 were approved and 5,563 were refused. These figures cover decisions from January 2020 to the present.

How are planning applications decided in Westminster?

The average approval rate in Westminster is 90.8%, but outcomes depend heavily on your specific ward, the type of extension or development you are proposing, and local planning policy. Use the free PlanningLens postcode check to get a personalised score.

About Westminster Planning Data: This analysis draws on 60,698 planning decisions published by Westminster council. Every application is classified as approved or refused based on the council's own decision wording. Withdrawn applications and procedural outcomes are excluded. Approval rates vary between wards, application types, and time periods. For full details on how we collect and analyse data, see our methodology →
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