The short answer
By law the council should decide most applications within 8 weeks for a householder or minor application, and 13 weeks for major development, counted from the day your application is made valid — not the day you submit it. In practice straightforward householder schemes are often decided close to the 8-week mark, but it can run longer if the council needs more information, asks for amendments, or agrees an extension of time with you in writing. If the council misses the deadline and you have not agreed an extension, you can appeal on the grounds of non-determination. Before submitting, allow time to prepare drawings and any reports — so the realistic overall timeline is usually a few weeks of preparation plus the determination period.
There are two clocks: the time to prepare a good application, and the statutory period the council has to decide it. The figures below cover the official periods and the things that commonly stretch them.
The statutory periods
- Householder / minor8 weeks
- Major development13 weeks
- Clock startswhen application made valid
- Extension of timeby written agreement
- Non-determinationright to appeal
The statutory determination periods
The legal target is 8 weeks for a householder or other minor application and 13 weeks for major development (16 weeks where an Environmental Impact Assessment is required). The period runs from the date your application is made valid by the council — meaning all the required documents and the fee are in — which is why getting the submission right first time matters. A complete, well-presented application is the single biggest thing within your control to keep the timeline on track.
| Application type | Statutory period |
|---|---|
| Householder / minor | 8 weeks |
| Major development | 13 weeks |
| EIA development | 16 weeks |
| Clock starts | date application made valid |
General guidance on statutory periods. Source: GOV.UK — determining a planning application.
Why it can take longer
Several things commonly extend the timeline: the council asking for further information, revised drawings or specialist reports; objections during the consultation period that need addressing; or the council asking you to agree an extension of time in writing rather than refuse a near-miss. If the deadline passes with no decision and no agreed extension, you can appeal for non-determination, though that itself takes months. For most homeowners the practical advice is to submit a complete application and build in a buffer beyond the headline 8 weeks.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does planning permission take?
The council should decide most applications within 8 weeks for a householder or minor scheme and 13 weeks for major development, counted from when the application is made valid. Straightforward householder applications are often decided close to 8 weeks, but it can run longer if more information is needed.
When does the planning clock start?
It starts on the day the council formally makes your application valid — when all the required documents and the fee are in — not the day you submit. Submitting a complete application helps it become valid quickly and keeps the timeline on track.
What happens if the council misses the deadline?
If a valid application is not decided within the statutory period and you have not agreed an extension of time in writing, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate on the grounds of non-determination, though an appeal itself usually takes several months.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific project. They are general information, not a quotation or planning advice.