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Middlesbrough planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in Middlesbrough?

Middlesbrough decided 40.5% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Middlesbrough is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

40.5%

265th of 297

22.2 points slower than England

Granted

82.1%

270th of 297

8.4 points lower than England

Extension of time

54.9%

271st of 297

22.6 points higher than England

Decisions (12 months)

173

Middlesbrough decided 173 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 82.1%.

40.5% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (265th of 297 for speed).

A further 54.9% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 49.5% a year earlier.

Of 11 householder appeals decided in the same period, 36.4% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Middlesbrough 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 Q189.5%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q283.6%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q392.8%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q488.3%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q198.2%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q293.8%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q394.8%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q498.7%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q189.4%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q297.0%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q393.5%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q489.5%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q188.1%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q283.5%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q385.6%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q493.1%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q183.6%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q288.5%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q382.1%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q495.7%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q187.1%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q288.6%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q392.9%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q490.9%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q190.6%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q281.7%0.0%84.9%
2014 Q393.0%0.0%82.5%
2014 Q483.1%0.0%82.1%
2015 Q180.0%0.0%80.4%
2015 Q280.4%0.0%80.6%
2015 Q389.9%10.1%79.2%
2015 Q485.5%14.5%80.0%
2016 Q162.5%37.5%78.3%
2016 Q276.6%23.4%79.8%
2016 Q381.8%0.0%77.7%
2016 Q458.9%1.4%78.0%
2017 Q175.0%16.1%77.3%
2017 Q272.1%22.1%78.5%
2017 Q382.8%12.1%76.1%
2017 Q482.2%15.1%77.1%
2018 Q174.6%20.6%73.7%
2018 Q263.2%34.2%74.0%
2018 Q364.0%30.7%72.7%
2018 Q455.9%0.0%72.7%
2019 Q164.9%0.0%69.9%
2019 Q272.5%25.3%72.1%
2019 Q385.1%10.4%69.6%
2019 Q480.3%19.7%71.5%
2020 Q170.0%26.7%68.4%
2020 Q277.3%22.7%63.9%
2020 Q381.3%18.8%63.8%
2020 Q466.7%28.6%65.3%
2021 Q161.0%32.2%59.4%
2021 Q275.5%17.0%58.4%
2021 Q368.7%22.2%53.1%
2021 Q461.1%17.9%53.0%
2022 Q162.3%19.5%51.6%
2022 Q249.4%26.0%56.0%
2022 Q351.8%33.9%53.3%
2022 Q462.5%20.0%54.1%
2023 Q159.1%20.5%53.5%
2023 Q264.3%21.4%58.5%
2023 Q382.5%12.3%59.0%
2023 Q452.0%36.0%59.8%
2024 Q155.0%42.5%58.8%
2024 Q234.8%60.9%64.4%
2024 Q348.1%50.0%64.2%
2024 Q465.9%29.3%65.6%
2025 Q143.6%52.7%62.1%
2025 Q243.5%56.5%65.0%
2025 Q347.2%52.8%62.5%
2025 Q438.6%59.1%64.7%
2026 Q126.5%61.2%60.6%
2026 Q252.3%45.5%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Middlesbrough against England

  • Middlesbrough
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterMiddlesbroughEngland
2008 Q195.8%85.1%
2008 Q296.6%86.1%
2008 Q394.4%86.3%
2008 Q492.2%85.3%
2009 Q192.9%85.9%
2009 Q292.6%86.8%
2009 Q394.8%87.4%
2009 Q496.2%86.9%
2010 Q189.4%87.0%
2010 Q295.0%88.0%
2010 Q393.5%87.7%
2010 Q497.7%87.5%
2011 Q198.3%87.9%
2011 Q297.4%88.5%
2011 Q391.1%88.3%
2011 Q496.6%88.3%
2012 Q192.7%88.2%
2012 Q297.1%89.2%
2012 Q398.9%89.0%
2012 Q497.1%88.9%
2013 Q196.8%89.8%
2013 Q295.7%90.6%
2013 Q397.6%90.3%
2013 Q497.0%89.6%
2014 Q195.3%89.8%
2014 Q295.1%90.5%
2014 Q398.6%90.0%
2014 Q493.0%89.2%
2015 Q195.0%89.3%
2015 Q291.3%90.2%
2015 Q397.0%90.0%
2015 Q490.3%89.2%
2016 Q195.0%90.0%
2016 Q293.6%90.3%
2016 Q390.9%90.2%
2016 Q497.3%89.7%
2017 Q192.9%89.9%
2017 Q295.6%90.5%
2017 Q396.6%90.0%
2017 Q493.2%90.1%
2018 Q192.1%90.5%
2018 Q297.4%91.0%
2018 Q396.0%91.2%
2018 Q489.7%90.5%
2019 Q191.2%90.3%
2019 Q293.4%91.0%
2019 Q391.0%90.6%
2019 Q490.2%89.8%
2020 Q185.0%89.9%
2020 Q290.9%90.2%
2020 Q392.5%90.6%
2020 Q490.5%90.3%
2021 Q193.2%90.9%
2021 Q290.6%91.2%
2021 Q381.8%91.0%
2021 Q484.2%90.1%
2022 Q171.4%90.0%
2022 Q263.6%90.4%
2022 Q378.6%89.8%
2022 Q475.0%89.4%
2023 Q163.6%89.3%
2023 Q278.6%89.2%
2023 Q371.9%88.6%
2023 Q466.0%88.2%
2024 Q185.0%88.2%
2024 Q278.3%89.1%
2024 Q373.1%89.4%
2024 Q470.7%88.6%
2025 Q178.2%89.3%
2025 Q282.6%90.4%
2025 Q380.6%90.1%
2025 Q484.1%90.1%
2026 Q177.6%90.6%
2026 Q286.4%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks40.5%
  • 8 to 13 weeks2.9%
  • 13 to 26 weeks1.7%
  • Over 26 weeks0.0%
  • Extension of time agreed54.9%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks70
8 to 13 weeks5
13 to 26 weeks3
Over 26 weeks0
Extension of time agreed95

Appeals

Decided
11
Allowed
36.4%
Median wait
10 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

9.1% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 24 appeals allowed against 259 refusals.

Split decisions count as half.

120th highest 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 16 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 3 needed no approval, 12 were approved and 1 was refused.

Where Middlesbrough had to decide, it refused 1 of 13 (7.7%), against 56.1% across England (2,210 of 3,939 decided).

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.45 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 12th 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

8 conservation areas: Acklam Hall, Albert Park & Linthorpe Road, Linthorpe, Marton Village and The Grove, Middlesbrough Historic Quarter, Nunthorpe and Poole, Ormesby and Stainton and Thornton.

Middlesbrough 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

455 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 6.8 per 1,000 homes, about 0.4 householder decisions per firm a year.

29th 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 Middlesbrough

How long does planning permission take in Middlesbrough?

Middlesbrough decided 40.5% 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 Middlesbrough?

8 conservation areas: Acklam Hall, Albert Park & Linthorpe Road, Linthorpe, Marton Village and The Grove, Middlesbrough Historic Quarter, Nunthorpe and Poole, Ormesby and Stainton and Thornton. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Middlesbrough?

455 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 6.8 per 1,000 homes, about 0.4 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 Middlesbrough?

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 Middlesbrough

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

Median price per m²

£1,875

4,740 sales

9% below North East

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

50.2%

Median energy score 69

4.1 points below North East

Value added by extending, per m²

£500

7.3% on the sale price

51% below North East

Energy upgrade, no extension

+6.1%

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

1.9 points below North East

The median home sold in Middlesbrough was £155,250 for 85 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 24% since 2015 (£1,536 to £1,900 per m², 2025). Across all 52,295 homes with a certificate, 51.6% are rated A to C on their latest one.

99 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 24 m². They sold for a median 7.3% more than similar unextended houses, £500 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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