Windsor and Maidenhead

South East·E06000040·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
50

Average

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

Windsor and Maidenhead is a planning authority in the South East that covers a diverse area including historic Windsor town and surrounding communities. The authority approves around 7 in 10 householder applications, reflecting a reasonably balanced approach to new development. One thing worth knowing is that a significant number of refused applications succeed on appeal here, which suggests there may sometimes be room for discussion if your application is rejected.

Approval Rate

70%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

72%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

33%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

When you submit a householder planning application to Windsor and Maidenhead, there is a decent chance of approval, with around 70% of applications being granted. The authority aims to make decisions within 8 weeks, and they achieve this target in roughly 7 out of 10 cases, so you may experience slightly longer waits than this benchmark. The process is generally straightforward for most applications, though you should be prepared for the possibility that some applications do take longer to determine. If your application is refused, the relatively high appeal overturn rate suggests it could be worth exploring an appeal.

Local Planning Considerations

The Windsor and Maidenhead area contains several conservation areas and sensitive heritage locations, particularly around Windsor itself, so any works to period properties or in historic areas will attract closer scrutiny. Parts of the region fall within the Green Belt, which means certain types of development will face stricter controls to protect open countryside. Before submitting your application, it is worth checking whether your property is in one of these designated areas, as this will significantly affect what you can and cannot do.

Tips for Homeowners

Start by checking the local planning policies on the Windsor and Maidenhead website and look carefully at what has been approved nearby, as this gives you a realistic sense of what the authority is likely to support. Pay particular attention to design details and how your proposal fits with the character of the area, as planning officers here seem to value this, and providing clear drawings and supporting information will help your case. If your application is refused, do not lose heart, as the appeal overturn rate here is relatively high, so consider taking professional advice about whether an appeal might succeed.

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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