Barking and Dagenham
Good
Performance rating out of 100, based on approval rate, decision speed and appeal outcomes
Barking and Dagenham is a London borough in East London with a moderate planning performance. The council approves around 7 out of every 10 householder applications, and they work at a fairly brisk pace to process your requests. Overall, this is a reasonably straightforward authority to work with, though like all councils it has its particular local quirks.
Approval Rate
70%
of householder applications approved
Decided Within 8 Weeks
95%
meet the statutory target
Appeal Overturn Rate
22%
of refusals overturned on appeal
What to Expect
When you submit a planning application here, you can expect a fair hearing with a 70% approval rate for householder applications. The good news is that the council aims to make decisions quickly, with 95% of applications decided within the standard 8-week timeframe, so you won't be left waiting unnecessarily. If your application is refused, there's still hope, as around 22% of appeals against refusals succeed, giving you another route forward if you disagree with the decision.
Local Planning Considerations
Like much of London, Barking and Dagenham has various conservation areas where stricter rules apply to what you can change on the outside of your home. You should check whether your property falls within one of these protected areas before you start planning any major alterations, as this will affect what you're allowed to do. The borough also has areas of Metropolitan Green Belt, where building new structures is typically more difficult.
Tips for Homeowners
Start by checking the council's online mapping tools to see if your property is in a conservation area or green belt, as this will shape what's actually possible for your project. When preparing your application, invest time in quality drawings and clear explanations of your plans, since the council deals with many applications and clear presentations help them process yours faster. It's also worth having a quick chat with the planning department before you formally apply, as they can often give you helpful pointers about whether your idea is likely to succeed.
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