How many planning applications has Stevenage Borough Council received?

Stevenage Borough Council received 523 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 92%.

How long does Stevenage Borough Council take to decide planning applications?

Stevenage Borough Council takes an average of 51 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 Stevenage Borough Council?

Stevenage Borough Council approves 92% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in Stevenage Borough Council?

To object to a Stevenage Borough Council planning application, you must submit your representation to Stevenage Borough Council 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 Stevenage Borough Council planning portal where objections can be submitted.

Can I appeal a Stevenage Borough Council planning decision?

Yes. If Stevenage Borough Council refuses your planning application, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 52 appeals were lodged against Stevenage Borough Council decisions in the last 24 months, with a 38% success rate.

Stevenage Borough Council Planning Applications

Q: How do I search Stevenage Borough Council planning applications?

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

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

Region: East of England

About Stevenage Borough Council

Governance

Leader: Richard Henry (Labour), since 1 January 2023

Chair: Nazmin Chowdhury (Labour), since 22 May 2025

Chief Executive: Tom Pike, since April 2025

Seats: 39 councillors

Founded: | preceded_by =

Last election: 2 May 2024

Political composition: Labour (31), Liberal Democrat (6), Conservative (1), Reform UK (1)

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to Stevenage Borough Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Stevenage Borough Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in Stevenage Borough 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

Average property sale price: £376,935 (based on 50 recent transactions from HM Land Registry).

Area Information

Admin district: North Hertfordshire
Parliamentary constituency: North East Hertfordshire
LSOA: North Hertfordshire 016A

Crime Statistics

76 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Crime Breakdown

violent-crime: 26
anti-social-behaviour: 19
other-theft: 9
criminal-damage-arson: 8
shoplifting: 4
drugs: 3
public-order: 2
other-crime: 2
burglary: 1
possession-of-weapons: 1
robbery: 1

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in Stevenage Borough 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 Stevenage Borough Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in Stevenage Borough Council

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

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the Stevenage Borough Council area.

Monitoring Stations

7 flood monitoring stations near Stevenage Borough Council.

Arlesey (River Hiz)
Walkern (River Beane)
HITCHIN GS
ARLESEY GS
Rainfall station
Rainfall station
Rainfall station

A brief summary of Stevenage Borough Council

Stevenage Borough Council serves as the local authority for the town of Stevenage in Hertfordshire, England, and has held a Labour majority since 1974. The council operates from its headquarters at Daneshill House on Danestrete, making it a key resource for anyone researching planning applications in the area. The council was established in | preceded_by =. The council is currently led by Richard Henry (Labour). The council comprises 39 councillors seats, with the most recent election held on 2 May 2024.

The average property sale price in the Stevenage Borough Council area is £376,935, based on 50 recent transactions.

The Stevenage Borough Council area recorded 76 crimes in the most recent reporting period. Prospective residents may wish to review the detailed crime breakdown for further context.

Conservation Areas

There are 7 designated conservation areas within the Stevenage Borough Council area. Planning applications within or near these areas are subject to additional scrutiny to preserve architectural and historic character. Permitted development rights may be restricted.

Conservation areas include: Symonds Green, Orchard Road, Old Town High Street, St Nicholas's and Rectory Lane, Broadwater (Marymead), Shephall Green, Town Square.

Ecology & Nature Designations

The Stevenage Borough Council area includes 1 Ancient Woodland site. These designations may affect planning decisions, as proposals near protected sites require environmental impact assessment and may face additional restrictions.

The council area encompasses 544 towns and villages, including Baldock, Berkhamsted, Bishop's Stortford, Borehamwood, Bushey and Cheshunt. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search Stevenage Borough Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for Stevenage Borough Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the Stevenage Borough Council area. Unlike the official Stevenage Borough 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 Stevenage Borough 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 Stevenage Borough Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 523 planning applications Stevenage Borough Council received. Of these, 92% were approved, with an average decision time of 51 days.

This is slightly above the national average of approximately 87%, indicating a broadly favourable planning environment in Stevenage Borough Council.

The average decision time of 51 days is within the government's 8-week statutory target for minor applications, indicating an efficient planning department.

The most common application types in Stevenage Borough Council were full planning applications (177), outline applications (89), discharge of conditions (61). Full planning applications account for 34% 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, 2 medium-scale applications, 420 smaller schemes were submitted. The high volume of major applications indicates significant development pressure in the area, which may interest property developers and investors.

52 planning appeals were lodged against Stevenage Borough Council decisions, of which 16 were allowed and 26 were dismissed (38% success rate).

Application Outcomes

Approved: 180 applications
Refused: 12 applications
Withdrawn: 4 applications
Awaiting decision: 326 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.