Medway

South East·E06000035·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
95

Excellent

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

Medway is a planning authority in the South East of England that takes a positive approach to homeowner applications, with an impressive 95 out of 100 overall performance score. The council approves the vast majority of householder planning applications and works hard to make decisions quickly. You can expect a straightforward and supportive experience when dealing with Medway's planning team.

Approval Rate

96%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

92%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

17%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

When you submit a householder planning application to Medway, you have a very good chance of approval, with 96% of applications being granted. The council is also quick to make decisions, with 92% of applications being resolved within the standard 8 week timeframe. This means you are unlikely to face long delays while waiting to hear about your project. Overall, the experience tends to be positive and efficient for homeowners in this area.

Local Planning Considerations

Before you apply, take time to check whether your property falls within a conservation area, as this can affect what changes you are allowed to make. The South East region does have areas of green belt protection, so if your home is located near greenbelt land, certain types of development may face restrictions. It is worth doing some initial research on your specific location to understand any local planning policies that might affect your plans.

Tips for Homeowners

First, make sure your application is as complete and well presented as possible from the start, as Medway's quick decision times mean there is less opportunity for back and forth discussions. Second, if your property is in a conservation area or a sensitive location, consider getting professional advice early on to ensure your plans align with local expectations. Finally, keep your local planning officers informed if anything changes during the application process, as maintaining good communication often helps applications progress smoothly through the system.

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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