Stockton-on-Tees

North East·E06000004·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
72

Good

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

Stockton-on-Tees is a planning authority in the North East that takes a positive approach to supporting homeowners with their projects. The council approves the vast majority of householder applications, making it a relatively straightforward place to get planning permission. With a solid overall performance score, you can expect a supportive and efficient service.

Approval Rate

97%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

65%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

28%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

You can be quite confident about your chances of success here, as Stockton-on-Tees approves 97% of householder planning applications. This high approval rate reflects a constructive approach to residential development. However, you should be prepared for the decision to take a bit longer than the standard 8 weeks, as only 65% of applications are decided within this timeframe, meaning some take several weeks extra. The good news is that even if your application is refused, there is a reasonable chance of success on appeal, with 28% of refused applications being overturned.

Local Planning Considerations

Stockton-on-Tees has various conservation areas where stricter rules apply to changes to your property's appearance, so check whether your home falls within one before applying. The North East region also has areas of green belt protection, and you should verify whether your property is affected as this can restrict certain types of development. It is worth checking the council's specific local policies on extensions and alterations to understand any particular sensitivities in your neighbourhood.

Tips for Homeowners

Start by checking the council's pre-application advice service, which can save you time and effort by identifying any potential issues before you submit formally. Make sure your application is as detailed and clear as possible, with good quality drawings and a thorough description of your project, as this helps the planning officers process your application more quickly. Finally, do not be discouraged if your application takes longer than 8 weeks to be decided, as this is quite common here, but do keep in touch with the council for updates on progress.

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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