How many planning applications has Derry City and Strabane District Council received?

Derry City and Strabane District Council received 532 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 94%.

How long does Derry City and Strabane District Council take to decide applications?

Derry City and Strabane District Council takes an average of 108 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 Derry City and Strabane District Council?

Derry City and Strabane District Council approves 94% of planning applications, compared to a national average of approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in Derry City and Strabane District Council?

Submit your representation to Derry City and Strabane District Council during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from when the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the Derry City and Strabane District Council planning portal.

Derry City and Strabane District Council Planning Applications

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

Region: Northern Ireland

About Derry City and Strabane District Council

Derry City and Strabane District Council serves as the local authority for the Derry and Strabane area in Northern Ireland, established during the 2014 local government reform. It officially began functioning on 1 April 2015, following its first elections on 22 May 2014, and previously operated as a shadow authority for its predecessor councils. The council's name was updated from Derry and Strabane City Council to its current title on 24 February 2016, making it a key player in local planning applications and community development initiatives.

Governance

Chair: Ruairí McHugh (SF), since | leader2_type = Deputy Mayor

Founded: 1 April 2015

Last election: 18 May 2023

Political composition: Sinn Féin (18), Independents (5)

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to Derry City and Strabane District Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Derry City and Strabane District Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in Derry City and Strabane District Council 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: Derry City and Strabane
Parliamentary constituency: Foyle
LSOA: Waterside_J

Crime Statistics

423 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Crime Breakdown

violent-crime: 160
anti-social-behaviour: 143
criminal-damage-arson: 40
other-theft: 18
shoplifting: 16
drugs: 13
public-order: 9
other-crime: 9
burglary: 6
vehicle-crime: 5
possession-of-weapons: 2
bicycle-theft: 1
robbery: 1

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in Derry City and Strabane District Council.

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 Derry City and Strabane District Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in Derry City and Strabane District Council

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

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.

A brief summary of Derry City and Strabane District Council

The Derry City and Strabane District Council area recorded 423 crimes in the most recent reporting period. Prospective residents may wish to review the detailed crime breakdown for further context.

The council area encompasses 17 towns and villages, including Derry. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search Derry City and Strabane District Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for Derry City and Strabane District Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area. Unlike the official Derry City and Strabane District Council 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 Derry City and Strabane District Council 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 Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 532 planning applications Derry City and Strabane District Council received. Of these, 94% were approved, with an average decision time of 108 days.

This is notably above the national average of approximately 87%, suggesting a relatively permissive planning environment. Applicants in Derry City and Strabane District Council may find that well-prepared applications have a strong chance of success.

With an average of 108 days, decisions in Derry City and Strabane District Council take longer than the statutory targets. Applicants should budget for a 4-month timeline and consider pre-application discussions to avoid delays.

The most common application types in Derry City and Strabane District Council were full planning applications (353), discharge of conditions (67), outline applications (47). Full planning applications account for 66% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.

In terms of development scale, 6 large-scale (major) developments, 6 medium-scale applications, 519 smaller schemes were submitted. The high volume of major applications indicates significant development pressure in the area, which may interest property developers and investors.

Application Outcomes

Approved: 262 applications
Refused: 7 applications
Withdrawn: 10 applications
Awaiting decision: 253 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.