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Yorkshire and the Humber

Bradford planning statistics

Householder applications decided in the year to June 2026, compared with the rest of England.

How long does planning permission take in Bradford?

Bradford decided 61.9% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Bradford is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

61.9%

168th of 297

0.8 points slower than England

Granted

89.9%

195th of 297

0.6 points lower than England

Extension of time

31.7%

151st of 297

0.6 points lower than England

Decisions (12 months)

1,311

Bradford decided 1,311 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 89.9%.

61.9% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (168th of 297 for speed).

A further 31.7% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 67.7% a year earlier.

Of 47 householder appeals decided in the same period, 19.1% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Bradford against England, share of householder decisions each quarter

  • Within 8 weeks, no extension
  • Extension of time
  • England, within 8 weeks
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterWithin 8 weeks, no extensionExtension of timeEngland, within 8 weeks
2008 Q183.2%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q288.3%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q385.7%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q485.8%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q186.6%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q291.5%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q394.4%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q495.5%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q191.9%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q292.7%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q387.5%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q476.2%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q190.4%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q292.6%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q394.0%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q494.6%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q193.7%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q289.6%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q391.3%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q495.2%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q192.8%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q297.0%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q396.5%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q494.6%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q191.6%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q290.2%6.9%84.9%
2014 Q393.0%3.0%82.5%
2014 Q493.4%4.7%82.1%
2015 Q192.8%4.6%80.4%
2015 Q292.6%4.3%80.6%
2015 Q393.4%3.9%79.2%
2015 Q495.1%3.9%80.0%
2016 Q187.0%8.8%78.3%
2016 Q290.5%6.1%79.8%
2016 Q391.1%6.2%77.7%
2016 Q486.6%7.8%78.0%
2017 Q186.2%10.2%77.3%
2017 Q286.5%10.0%78.5%
2017 Q386.4%9.6%76.1%
2017 Q490.1%7.8%77.1%
2018 Q185.7%8.9%73.7%
2018 Q288.8%8.5%74.0%
2018 Q387.8%7.4%72.7%
2018 Q487.9%7.3%72.7%
2019 Q180.9%7.4%69.9%
2019 Q281.1%7.4%72.1%
2019 Q382.2%10.1%69.6%
2019 Q491.0%5.5%71.5%
2020 Q188.8%9.5%68.4%
2020 Q278.3%13.3%63.9%
2020 Q388.8%6.6%63.8%
2020 Q487.7%10.4%65.3%
2021 Q184.1%10.7%59.4%
2021 Q284.9%10.6%58.4%
2021 Q379.6%15.2%53.1%
2021 Q482.4%12.9%53.0%
2022 Q181.1%13.8%51.6%
2022 Q287.4%9.7%56.0%
2022 Q382.4%13.6%53.3%
2022 Q483.9%13.4%54.1%
2023 Q172.3%20.4%53.5%
2023 Q283.3%12.1%58.5%
2023 Q381.1%12.5%59.0%
2023 Q481.4%10.2%59.8%
2024 Q174.7%18.4%58.8%
2024 Q276.2%14.7%64.4%
2024 Q382.5%12.9%64.2%
2024 Q467.3%17.1%65.6%
2025 Q163.9%21.0%62.1%
2025 Q255.2%35.5%65.0%
2025 Q352.2%42.3%62.5%
2025 Q464.4%28.2%64.7%
2026 Q161.2%31.3%60.6%
2026 Q270.1%24.0%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Bradford against England

  • Bradford
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterBradfordEngland
2008 Q179.0%85.1%
2008 Q283.8%86.1%
2008 Q382.3%86.3%
2008 Q478.0%85.3%
2009 Q180.9%85.9%
2009 Q280.9%86.8%
2009 Q374.8%87.4%
2009 Q478.2%86.9%
2010 Q170.8%87.0%
2010 Q280.5%88.0%
2010 Q372.2%87.7%
2010 Q478.2%87.5%
2011 Q174.9%87.9%
2011 Q276.9%88.5%
2011 Q376.7%88.3%
2011 Q479.2%88.3%
2012 Q183.3%88.2%
2012 Q280.0%89.2%
2012 Q378.7%89.0%
2012 Q475.4%88.9%
2013 Q180.6%89.8%
2013 Q286.2%90.6%
2013 Q384.4%90.3%
2013 Q485.7%89.6%
2014 Q184.1%89.8%
2014 Q282.8%90.5%
2014 Q381.6%90.0%
2014 Q480.4%89.2%
2015 Q180.9%89.3%
2015 Q282.4%90.2%
2015 Q384.7%90.0%
2015 Q484.0%89.2%
2016 Q185.9%90.0%
2016 Q286.2%90.3%
2016 Q385.3%90.2%
2016 Q483.6%89.7%
2017 Q178.1%89.9%
2017 Q284.3%90.5%
2017 Q381.6%90.0%
2017 Q483.0%90.1%
2018 Q184.7%90.5%
2018 Q281.3%91.0%
2018 Q381.6%91.2%
2018 Q479.7%90.5%
2019 Q183.0%90.3%
2019 Q284.1%91.0%
2019 Q387.1%90.6%
2019 Q486.3%89.8%
2020 Q186.5%89.9%
2020 Q285.4%90.2%
2020 Q384.8%90.6%
2020 Q483.6%90.3%
2021 Q184.1%90.9%
2021 Q285.7%91.2%
2021 Q383.5%91.0%
2021 Q484.0%90.1%
2022 Q181.7%90.0%
2022 Q282.0%90.4%
2022 Q384.2%89.8%
2022 Q483.9%89.4%
2023 Q188.1%89.3%
2023 Q286.2%89.2%
2023 Q381.1%88.6%
2023 Q484.6%88.2%
2024 Q187.0%88.2%
2024 Q285.8%89.1%
2024 Q386.6%89.4%
2024 Q489.5%88.6%
2025 Q184.9%89.3%
2025 Q289.3%90.4%
2025 Q390.4%90.1%
2025 Q487.2%90.1%
2026 Q190.7%90.6%
2026 Q291.0%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks61.9%
  • 8 to 13 weeks4.5%
  • 13 to 26 weeks1.8%
  • Over 26 weeks0.2%
  • Extension of time agreed31.7%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks811
8 to 13 weeks59
13 to 26 weeks23
Over 26 weeks3
Extension of time agreed415

Appeals

Decided
47
Allowed
19.1%
Median wait
11 weeks

Householder appeals to the Planning Inspectorate decided in the same 12 months. England: 34.4% allowed.

Refusals overturned at appeal

4.6% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 53 appeals allowed against 1,160 refusals.

31st lowest of 299 planning authorities. England: 8.9% (July 2021 to June 2026).

Householder refusals from MHCLG table PS2; appeals allowed from the Planning Inspectorate. Approximate: appeals decided in the period, which can relate to earlier refusals.

Larger home extensions (prior approval)

Single-storey rear extensions deeper than 4 metres on a detached house (3 metres otherwise), up to 8 metres (6 metres), can use prior approval instead of a planning application, except in conservation areas, National Landscapes and other protected areas.

Of 208 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 167 needed no approval, 2 were approved and 39 were refused.

Where Bradford had to decide, it refused 39 of 41 (95.1%), against 56.1% across England (2,210 of 3,939 decided).

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

96 planning enforcement notices issued in the year to June 2026.

0.43 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 16th highest of 294 planning authorities.

Covers all types of development, not only extensions.

MHCLG table P130; homes from the VOA Council Tax stock of properties.

Protected areas

58 conservation areas: Addingham, Apsley Crescent, Baildon, Baildon Green, Baildon Station Road, Ben Rhydding, Bingley, Braithwaite, Brunthwaite, Burley In Wharfedale, Cathedral Precinct, City Centre and 46 more.

Bradford has not published its Article 4 directions to the national planning data service, so the count may be incomplete.

Both can remove permitted development rights, so check with the council before relying on them. Permitted development rules

To check one postcode for a conservation area, listed buildings nearby, flood zone and radon, use the address check.

planning.data.gov.uk.

Builders

1,660 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 7.4 per 1,000 homes, about 0.8 householder decisions per firm a year.

46th lowest of 294 planning authorities. England median: 10.1 per 1,000 homes and 0.5 decisions per firm.

Counts VAT or PAYE registered firms only, rounded to 5 by ONS; self-employed builders below the VAT threshold aren't included.

Finding a builder

ONS UK Business Counts; homes from the VOA Council Tax stock of properties; decisions from MHCLG table PS2.

Compared with neighbouring councils

Decisions and approvals in the year to June 2026; overturns over each council's appeal window; builders per 1,000 homes in 2026.

Decided within 8 weeks, no extension

Granted

Refusals overturned at appeal

Registered building firms per 1,000 homes

Questions about planning in Bradford

How long does planning permission take in Bradford?

Bradford decided 61.9% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Is my house in a conservation area in Bradford?

58 conservation areas: Addingham, Apsley Crescent, Baildon, Baildon Green, Baildon Station Road, Ben Rhydding, Bingley, Braithwaite, Brunthwaite, Burley In Wharfedale, Cathedral Precinct, City Centre and 46 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Bradford?

1,660 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 7.4 per 1,000 homes, about 0.8 householder decisions per firm a year. Counts VAT or PAYE registered firms only, rounded to 5 by ONS; self-employed builders below the VAT threshold aren't included.

Do I need planning permission for an extension in Bradford?

Many extensions can be built under permitted development without an application, but conservation areas and Article 4 directions can remove those rights, so check whether your address is in a conservation area or covered by an Article 4 direction before relying on them. Do you need planning permission?

Property prices and energy performance in Bradford

Homes sold July 2023 to June 2026, matched to the floor area and energy rating on their Energy Performance Certificate.

Median price per m²

£2,300

18,091 sales

10% below Yorkshire and The Humber

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

38.5%

Median energy score 66

7.3 points below Yorkshire and The Humber

Value added by extending, per m²

£693

11.4% on the sale price

49% below Yorkshire and The Humber

Energy upgrade, no extension

+6.8%

Sale-price uplift when the energy score rose 5+ points

In line with Yorkshire and The Humber

The median home sold in Bradford was £180,000 for 82 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 47% since 2015 (£1,595 to £2,344 per m², 2025). Across all 171,968 homes with a certificate, 39.2% are rated A to C on their latest one.

1,123 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 29 m². They sold for a median 11.4% more than similar unextended houses, £693 for each m² added. Will an extension pay for itself here?

Medians from HM Land Registry sale prices and MHCLG Energy Performance Certificates; groups under 30 sales or 50 extended houses are not shown. These describe past sales across many homes, not a valuation of any one. How these are worked out

Next steps for your extension

Compare every council · How we calculate these figures

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