How many planning applications has City of Westminster received?

City of Westminster received 4,988 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 86%.

How long does City of Westminster take to decide planning applications?

City of Westminster takes an average of 47 days to decide planning applications. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for householder and minor applications, and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate for City of Westminster?

City of Westminster approves 86% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I search City of Westminster planning applications?

You can search City of Westminster planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the City of Westminster area to see all nearby applications, filter by type, and track decisions in real time.

How do I object to a planning application in City of Westminster?

To object to a City of Westminster planning application, you must submit your representation to City of Westminster during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from the date the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows you the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the City of Westminster planning portal where objections can be submitted.

Can I appeal a City of Westminster planning decision?

Yes. If City of Westminster refuses your planning application, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 2081 appeals were lodged against City of Westminster decisions in the last 24 months, with a 33% success rate.

City of Westminster Planning Applications

Search and explore City of Westminster planning applications. Planning Signal is your free alternative to the City of Westminster planning portal — search all recent applications, track decisions, and get alerts on new developments in the area.

Region: London

About City of Westminster

The City of Westminster is a prominent London borough known for its city status and as the heart of British governance, housing the Houses of Parliament. This central area encompasses key destinations like the West End, with renowned shopping spots on Oxford Street and Regent Street, as well as the vibrant Soho entertainment district. Notable landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Trafalgar Square, make Westminster a crucial location for those researching planning applications in one of London's most iconic areas.

Governance

Founded: 1 April 1965

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to City of Westminster, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for City of Westminster
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in City of Westminster mention key planning constraints like heritage, flood risk, and environmental concerns
Council Boundary Map - Interactive map showing the council boundary and application locations
Full Details - View complete application details, dates and decision status

Council Insights

Property Prices

Area Information

Admin district: Westminster
Parliamentary constituency: Cities of London and Westminster
LSOA: Westminster 011A

Crime Statistics

4,018 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Crime Breakdown

theft-from-the-person: 818
other-theft: 762
shoplifting: 637
violent-crime: 538
anti-social-behaviour: 521
public-order: 164
robbery: 152
drugs: 135
vehicle-crime: 115
burglary: 79
bicycle-theft: 51
possession-of-weapons: 20
other-crime: 20
criminal-damage-arson: 6

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in City of Westminster.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for City of Westminster based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in City of Westminster

16 towns and villages. Click any town to search for planning applications nearby.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the City of Westminster area.

Monitoring Stations

7 flood monitoring stations near City of Westminster.

Walthamstow, Low Hall (River Lee)
Edgware Hospital (Silk Stream)
Winsford Road (River Pool)
Hampstead Suburb (Mutton Brook)
Westminster (Thames Tideway)
Catford Hill (River Ravensbourne)
Tower Pier (Thames Tideway)

A brief summary of City of Westminster

The City of Westminster area recorded 4018 crimes in the most recent reporting period. Prospective residents may wish to review the detailed crime breakdown for further context.

The council area encompasses 16 towns and villages, including Marylebone, Paddington and Westminster. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search City of Westminster Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for City of Westminster. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the City of Westminster area. Unlike the official City of Westminster planning portal, Planning Signal lets you save searches, watch individual applications, and receive email alerts when decisions are made or new applications are submitted nearby.

Whether you're a resident checking City of Westminster planning applications near your home, a homeowner tracking your own application, or a property professional monitoring the local market, Planning Signal gives you the tools to stay informed about planning and development across City of Westminster.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 4,988 planning applications City of Westminster received. Of these, 86% were approved, with an average decision time of 47 days.

This is broadly in line with the national average of approximately 87%. City of Westminster maintains a standard approach to planning decisions.

The average decision time of 47 days is within the government's 8-week statutory target for minor applications, indicating an efficient planning department.

The most common application types in City of Westminster were full planning applications (1,234), discharge of conditions (1,148), listed building and heritage (788). Full planning applications account for 25% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.

In terms of development scale, 28 large-scale (major) developments, 23 medium-scale applications, 4,313 smaller schemes were submitted. The high volume of major applications indicates significant development pressure in the area, which may interest property developers and investors.

2,081 planning appeals were lodged against City of Westminster decisions, of which 613 were allowed and 1,218 were dismissed (33% success rate).

Application Outcomes

Approved: 688 applications
Refused: 83 applications
Withdrawn: 31 applications
Awaiting decision: 4,186 applications

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.