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West Midlands

Walsall planning statistics

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

How long does planning permission take in Walsall?

Walsall decided 41.1% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Walsall is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

41.1%

263rd of 297

21.6 points slower than England

Granted

88.1%

226th of 297

2.4 points lower than England

Extension of time

54.9%

271st of 297

22.6 points higher than England

Decisions (12 months)

455

Walsall decided 455 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 88.1%.

41.1% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (263rd of 297 for speed).

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

That is down from 56.5% a year earlier.

Of 15 householder appeals decided in the same period, 13.3% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Walsall 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 Q196.6%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q294.5%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q394.4%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q496.1%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q194.8%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q295.4%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q389.3%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q490.8%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q193.8%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q288.8%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q391.2%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q488.7%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q185.9%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q283.3%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q381.3%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q486.9%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q186.6%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q285.4%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q381.3%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q483.0%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q188.8%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q278.9%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q350.4%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q476.2%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q189.0%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q288.5%0.6%84.9%
2014 Q379.7%11.8%82.5%
2014 Q475.0%12.5%82.1%
2015 Q173.1%14.6%80.4%
2015 Q265.2%20.7%80.6%
2015 Q338.6%20.0%79.2%
2015 Q453.0%25.8%80.0%
2016 Q155.6%14.5%78.3%
2016 Q26.7%4.4%79.8%
2016 Q319.6%34.2%77.7%
2016 Q438.9%28.7%78.0%
2017 Q154.5%24.6%77.3%
2017 Q247.4%27.6%78.5%
2017 Q333.3%15.7%76.1%
2017 Q450.9%35.0%77.1%
2018 Q156.4%34.9%73.7%
2018 Q269.1%28.2%74.0%
2018 Q372.8%24.3%72.7%
2018 Q466.7%27.6%72.7%
2019 Q161.8%33.3%69.9%
2019 Q259.8%35.4%72.1%
2019 Q339.0%54.4%69.6%
2019 Q433.9%56.5%71.5%
2020 Q133.1%62.1%68.4%
2020 Q233.1%63.6%63.9%
2020 Q332.5%62.3%63.8%
2020 Q422.6%73.3%65.3%
2021 Q122.7%75.3%59.4%
2021 Q227.1%70.3%58.4%
2021 Q38.7%81.3%53.1%
2021 Q412.4%77.7%53.0%
2022 Q118.4%74.1%51.6%
2022 Q225.7%71.3%56.0%
2022 Q335.7%58.2%53.3%
2022 Q435.6%59.6%54.1%
2023 Q134.3%56.4%53.5%
2023 Q242.9%49.0%58.5%
2023 Q340.4%51.4%59.0%
2023 Q424.0%67.2%59.8%
2024 Q129.3%60.2%58.8%
2024 Q256.5%38.2%64.4%
2024 Q352.0%45.6%64.2%
2024 Q451.0%48.3%65.6%
2025 Q154.7%44.3%62.1%
2025 Q268.8%31.2%65.0%
2025 Q349.7%49.0%62.5%
2025 Q443.8%53.9%64.7%
2026 Q145.5%50.0%60.6%
2026 Q220.2%70.2%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Walsall against England

  • Walsall
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterWalsallEngland
2008 Q184.1%85.1%
2008 Q283.1%86.1%
2008 Q386.3%86.3%
2008 Q478.8%85.3%
2009 Q185.1%85.9%
2009 Q280.0%86.8%
2009 Q379.7%87.4%
2009 Q482.2%86.9%
2010 Q175.0%87.0%
2010 Q269.2%88.0%
2010 Q377.3%87.7%
2010 Q481.5%87.5%
2011 Q183.8%87.9%
2011 Q285.3%88.5%
2011 Q381.9%88.3%
2011 Q486.2%88.3%
2012 Q179.8%88.2%
2012 Q282.8%89.2%
2012 Q384.2%89.0%
2012 Q494.8%88.9%
2013 Q190.1%89.8%
2013 Q281.3%90.6%
2013 Q385.2%90.3%
2013 Q483.1%89.6%
2014 Q178.0%89.8%
2014 Q276.3%90.5%
2014 Q384.3%90.0%
2014 Q491.1%89.2%
2015 Q187.7%89.3%
2015 Q291.9%90.2%
2015 Q393.8%90.0%
2015 Q492.7%89.2%
2016 Q188.9%90.0%
2016 Q288.9%90.3%
2016 Q392.0%90.2%
2016 Q491.1%89.7%
2017 Q194.0%89.9%
2017 Q291.0%90.5%
2017 Q392.2%90.0%
2017 Q491.4%90.1%
2018 Q189.3%90.5%
2018 Q290.6%91.0%
2018 Q393.1%91.2%
2018 Q493.1%90.5%
2019 Q190.3%90.3%
2019 Q294.5%91.0%
2019 Q397.1%90.6%
2019 Q493.0%89.8%
2020 Q190.5%89.9%
2020 Q293.4%90.2%
2020 Q394.7%90.6%
2020 Q492.5%90.3%
2021 Q195.5%90.9%
2021 Q293.2%91.2%
2021 Q396.0%91.0%
2021 Q496.5%90.1%
2022 Q194.3%90.0%
2022 Q292.8%90.4%
2022 Q392.9%89.8%
2022 Q492.5%89.4%
2023 Q187.9%89.3%
2023 Q284.7%89.2%
2023 Q396.3%88.6%
2023 Q492.8%88.2%
2024 Q184.6%88.2%
2024 Q289.3%89.1%
2024 Q389.6%89.4%
2024 Q485.5%88.6%
2025 Q193.4%89.3%
2025 Q288.0%90.4%
2025 Q387.6%90.1%
2025 Q491.4%90.1%
2026 Q187.5%90.6%
2026 Q285.1%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks41.1%
  • 8 to 13 weeks2.6%
  • 13 to 26 weeks1.1%
  • Over 26 weeks0.2%
  • Extension of time agreed54.9%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks187
8 to 13 weeks12
13 to 26 weeks5
Over 26 weeks1
Extension of time agreed250

Appeals

Decided
15
Allowed
13.3%
Median wait
10 weeks

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

Refusals overturned at appeal

3.8% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 10 appeals allowed against 250 refusals.

Split decisions count as half.

17th 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 125 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 0 needed no approval, 81 were approved and 44 were refused.

Where Walsall had to decide, it refused 44 of 125 (35.2%), against 56.1% across England (2,210 of 3,939 decided).

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

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

0.06 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 75th lowest 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

18 conservation areas: Aldridge, Arboretum, Bloxwich High Street, Bloxwich Park, Bradford Street, Bridge Street, Caldmore Green, Church Hill, Darlaston, Elmore Green, Great Barr, Highgate and 6 more.

Walsall 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

1,045 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 8.8 per 1,000 homes, about 0.4 householder decisions per firm a year.

98th 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 Walsall

How long does planning permission take in Walsall?

Walsall decided 41.1% 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 Walsall?

18 conservation areas: Aldridge, Arboretum, Bloxwich High Street, Bloxwich Park, Bradford Street, Bridge Street, Caldmore Green, Church Hill, Darlaston, Elmore Green, Great Barr, Highgate and 6 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Walsall?

1,045 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 8.8 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 Walsall?

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 Walsall

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

Median price per m²

£2,688

7,683 sales

10% below West Midlands

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

44.4%

Median energy score 67

2.9 points below West Midlands

Value added by extending, per m²

£1,054

13.0% on the sale price

34% below West Midlands

Energy upgrade, no extension

+5.1%

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

0.7 points below West Midlands

The median home sold in Walsall was £221,000 for 84 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 60% since 2015 (£1,696 to £2,717 per m², 2025). Across all 85,771 homes with a certificate, 45.1% are rated A to C on their latest one.

309 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 29 m². They sold for a median 13.0% more than similar unextended houses, £1,054 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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