Barking and Dagenham

London·E09000002·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
67

Good

Performance rating out of 100, based on approval rate, decision speed and appeal outcomes

Barking and Dagenham is a London borough that handles planning applications at a steady, reliable pace. The authority approves around 7 in 10 householder applications, suggesting a generally supportive approach to residential development. You can expect fair consideration of your plans alongside a commitment to processing applications quickly.

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 to Barking and Dagenham, there is a 70% chance it will be approved, which is a reasonable prospect for most straightforward proposals. The council is impressively efficient, with 95% of applications decided within the standard 8 week target, so you should know the outcome relatively quickly. If your application is refused, there is a 22% chance of success if you decide to appeal, though this is lower than in some other areas. Overall, you can expect a professional and timely service.

Local Planning Considerations

As a London borough, Barking and Dagenham has various conservation areas and listed buildings scattered throughout the area, so if your property is in one of these zones, you may face stricter rules about external changes. The area also contains parts of the Metropolitan Green Belt, where new building is generally restricted. It is worth checking your property's designation early on, as this will significantly influence what you can and cannot do.

Tips for Homeowners

Start by checking whether your property is in a conservation area or the Green Belt, as this will shape what is possible and may mean you need specialist advice before investing time in an application. Make sure your application is thorough and well presented, since the council's decent approval rate suggests they respond positively to clear, professional submissions that show you have thought things through. Given the council's good track record on speed, you can plan ahead with confidence that you will have a decision within a reasonable timeframe, which helps you move forward with your project.

About the performance rating: The score out of 100 is calculated from three factors: householder application approval rate (up to 40 points), the percentage of decisions made within the 8-week statutory target (up to 30 points), and the appeal overturn rate, where a lower rate means the authority makes sound decisions that hold up on appeal (up to 20 points). A further 10 points are available for data completeness. Source: MHCLG PS2 planning statistics and Planning Inspectorate appeal decisions, 2025 Q1-Q4.

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