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West Midlands

Lichfield planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in Lichfield?

Lichfield decided 96.5% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Lichfield is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

96.5%

3rd of 297

33.8 points faster than England

Granted

89.1%

209th of 297

1.4 points lower than England

Extension of time

1.5%

2nd of 297

30.8 points lower than England

Decisions (12 months)

340

Lichfield decided 340 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 89.1%.

96.5% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (3rd of 297 for speed).

A further 1.5% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is up from 80.8% a year earlier.

Of 9 householder appeals decided in the same period, 33.3% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Lichfield 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 Q195.1%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q296.4%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q396.9%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q497.1%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q198.9%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q298.8%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q399.0%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q497.8%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q1100.0%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q299.2%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q396.8%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q499.1%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q198.9%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q298.9%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q393.3%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q496.1%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q186.4%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q286.9%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q387.2%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q489.5%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q191.6%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q291.5%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q397.3%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q494.1%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q185.5%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q289.8%9.3%84.9%
2014 Q381.3%17.7%82.5%
2014 Q486.7%10.2%82.1%
2015 Q177.8%19.0%80.4%
2015 Q261.7%27.1%80.6%
2015 Q330.6%17.6%79.2%
2015 Q445.5%31.4%80.0%
2016 Q172.0%21.5%78.3%
2016 Q274.0%25.2%79.8%
2016 Q363.8%34.8%77.7%
2016 Q476.4%15.7%78.0%
2017 Q166.4%22.4%77.3%
2017 Q273.4%21.9%78.5%
2017 Q371.0%26.7%76.1%
2017 Q466.4%21.9%77.1%
2018 Q161.6%32.9%73.7%
2018 Q273.0%21.2%74.0%
2018 Q377.9%15.4%72.7%
2018 Q469.1%17.3%72.7%
2019 Q174.1%15.8%69.9%
2019 Q275.9%13.8%72.1%
2019 Q368.6%19.0%69.6%
2019 Q463.2%29.5%71.5%
2020 Q158.8%28.2%68.4%
2020 Q236.8%48.7%63.9%
2020 Q340.7%34.3%63.8%
2020 Q441.0%46.7%65.3%
2021 Q141.0%45.5%59.4%
2021 Q232.6%53.9%58.4%
2021 Q348.1%43.4%53.1%
2021 Q457.3%38.2%53.0%
2022 Q171.3%24.3%51.6%
2022 Q271.6%25.5%56.0%
2022 Q365.1%32.5%53.3%
2022 Q470.5%25.7%54.1%
2023 Q160.7%37.5%53.5%
2023 Q273.1%26.9%58.5%
2023 Q365.1%33.9%59.0%
2023 Q458.2%38.8%59.8%
2024 Q153.5%43.6%58.8%
2024 Q256.0%33.3%64.4%
2024 Q369.9%19.4%64.2%
2024 Q461.3%38.8%65.6%
2025 Q190.8%7.9%62.1%
2025 Q295.8%4.2%65.0%
2025 Q3100.0%0.0%62.5%
2025 Q497.6%1.2%64.7%
2026 Q195.8%2.8%60.6%
2026 Q292.2%2.2%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Lichfield against England

  • Lichfield
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterLichfieldEngland
2008 Q191.7%85.1%
2008 Q289.9%86.1%
2008 Q389.8%86.3%
2008 Q491.4%85.3%
2009 Q194.3%85.9%
2009 Q294.2%86.8%
2009 Q393.9%87.4%
2009 Q491.3%86.9%
2010 Q188.0%87.0%
2010 Q293.2%88.0%
2010 Q392.0%87.7%
2010 Q491.4%87.5%
2011 Q189.1%87.9%
2011 Q292.6%88.5%
2011 Q391.3%88.3%
2011 Q490.8%88.3%
2012 Q187.5%88.2%
2012 Q293.9%89.2%
2012 Q387.2%89.0%
2012 Q491.6%88.9%
2013 Q194.0%89.8%
2013 Q294.7%90.6%
2013 Q395.5%90.3%
2013 Q492.9%89.6%
2014 Q194.7%89.8%
2014 Q292.6%90.5%
2014 Q395.8%90.0%
2014 Q496.1%89.2%
2015 Q196.8%89.3%
2015 Q295.5%90.2%
2015 Q396.3%90.0%
2015 Q494.2%89.2%
2016 Q195.3%90.0%
2016 Q294.5%90.3%
2016 Q397.8%90.2%
2016 Q497.6%89.7%
2017 Q197.2%89.9%
2017 Q291.4%90.5%
2017 Q396.2%90.0%
2017 Q490.6%90.1%
2018 Q192.5%90.5%
2018 Q293.4%91.0%
2018 Q387.5%91.2%
2018 Q490.9%90.5%
2019 Q186.3%90.3%
2019 Q285.3%91.0%
2019 Q383.0%90.6%
2019 Q492.6%89.8%
2020 Q197.6%89.9%
2020 Q296.6%90.2%
2020 Q390.7%90.6%
2020 Q491.8%90.3%
2021 Q195.5%90.9%
2021 Q298.6%91.2%
2021 Q396.8%91.0%
2021 Q497.5%90.1%
2022 Q195.7%90.0%
2022 Q296.5%90.4%
2022 Q398.4%89.8%
2022 Q497.1%89.4%
2023 Q198.2%89.3%
2023 Q293.5%89.2%
2023 Q396.3%88.6%
2023 Q498.5%88.2%
2024 Q193.1%88.2%
2024 Q288.1%89.1%
2024 Q387.1%89.4%
2024 Q487.5%88.6%
2025 Q176.3%89.3%
2025 Q275.0%90.4%
2025 Q389.4%90.1%
2025 Q489.4%90.1%
2026 Q191.5%90.6%
2026 Q286.7%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks96.5%
  • 8 to 13 weeks2.1%
  • 13 to 26 weeks0.0%
  • Over 26 weeks0.0%
  • Extension of time agreed1.5%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks328
8 to 13 weeks7
13 to 26 weeks0
Over 26 weeks0
Extension of time agreed5

Appeals

Decided
9
Allowed
33.3%
Median wait
16 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

4.9% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 8 appeals allowed against 162 refusals.

35th 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 12 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 10 needed no approval, 0 were approved and 2 were refused.

Fewer than 10 decided in the period.

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.18 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 77th 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

21 conservation areas: Alrewas, Clifton Campville, Colton, Elford, Fazeley and Bonehill, Fradley Junction, Hamstall Ridware, Harlaston, Haunton, Hints, Hopwas, King's Bromley and 9 more.

Lichfield 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

590 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 11.8 per 1,000 homes, about 0.6 householder decisions per firm a year.

88th highest 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 Lichfield

How long does planning permission take in Lichfield?

Lichfield decided 96.5% 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 Lichfield?

21 conservation areas: Alrewas, Clifton Campville, Colton, Elford, Fazeley and Bonehill, Fradley Junction, Hamstall Ridware, Harlaston, Haunton, Hints, Hopwas, King's Bromley and 9 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Lichfield?

590 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 11.8 per 1,000 homes, about 0.6 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 Lichfield?

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 Lichfield

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

Median price per m²

£3,449

4,807 sales

15% above West Midlands

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

57.8%

Median energy score 70

10.5 points above West Midlands

Value added by extending, per m²

£1,761

19.8% on the sale price

10% above West Midlands

Energy upgrade, no extension

+8.1%

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

2.3 points above West Midlands

The median home sold in Lichfield was £309,500 for 89 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 51% since 2015 (£2,288 to £3,450 per m², 2025). Across all 34,869 homes with a certificate, 52.7% are rated A to C on their latest one.

251 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 33 m². They sold for a median 19.8% more than similar unextended houses, £1,761 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

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