Wokingham

South East·E06000041·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
83

Excellent

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

Wokingham is a planning authority in the South East of England that takes a positive approach to householder applications. With an impressive 97% approval rate, they are very receptive to residential development proposals. Their strong overall performance score of 83 out of 100 reflects a well run service that homeowners can trust.

Approval Rate

97%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

74%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

24%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

When you submit a planning application to Wokingham, you can be confident that it will be treated fairly and positively. Around 97% of householder applications are approved, which is an excellent sign that the authority understands and supports residential improvement. You should expect a decision within 8 weeks in about 74% of cases, though some applications may take a little longer depending on complexity. Even if your application is refused, there is a reasonable chance of success on appeal, with 24% of refused applications overturned at appeal.

Local Planning Considerations

Wokingham has various conservation areas and some Green Belt land, so you should check whether your property falls within these designations before applying as they can affect what you are able to do. The authority may have specific Article 4 directions in certain areas that remove some permitted development rights, so it is worth checking the local planning policies relevant to your postcode. Understanding these local factors early on will help you prepare a stronger application.

Tips for Homeowners

Start by speaking informally with the planning team at Wokingham before you submit anything formally, as they are generally helpful and can point you towards relevant policies and guidance. Make sure your application is complete and well presented with clear drawings and supporting information, as this helps the authority process it quickly and without unnecessary delays. If your proposal is straightforward and clearly meets local planning policy, you can feel confident submitting it, but if there is any doubt, asking for pre-application advice is a wise investment.

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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