How many planning applications has Torfaen County Borough Council received?

Torfaen County Borough Council received 363 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 66%.

How long does Torfaen County Borough Council take to decide planning applications?

Torfaen County Borough Council takes an average of 73 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 Torfaen County Borough Council?

Torfaen County Borough Council approves 66% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

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

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

Torfaen County Borough Council Planning Applications

Q: How do I search Torfaen County Borough Council planning applications?

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

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

Region: Wales

About Torfaen County Borough Council

Governance

Leader: Anthony Hunt (Labour), since 1 January 2017

Chief Executive: Stephen Vickers, since 5 July 2021

Seats: 40 councillors (term: 5 years)

Founded: 1 April 1974

Last election: 5 May 2022

Political composition: Labour (28), Independent (8), Reform UK (4)

Council Planning Features

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

Area Information

Admin district: Torfaen
Parliamentary constituency: Torfaen
LSOA: Torfaen 002A

Crime Statistics

73 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Crime Breakdown

violent-crime: 25
anti-social-behaviour: 14
criminal-damage-arson: 14
public-order: 7
other-theft: 4
shoplifting: 3
burglary: 2
drugs: 2
other-crime: 2

Keyword Scorecard

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

Towns and villages in Torfaen County Borough Council

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

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the Torfaen County Borough Council area.

A brief summary of Torfaen County Borough Council

Torfaen County Borough Council serves as the governing authority for Torfaen, a key Principal Area in Wales. This council plays a crucial role in local governance, overseeing planning applications and development within the region, making it an essential resource for anyone researching property development or community projects in Torfaen. The council was established in 1 April 1974. The council is currently led by Anthony Hunt (Labour). The council comprises 40 councillors seats, with the most recent election held on 5 May 2022.

The Torfaen County Borough Council area recorded 73 crimes in the most recent reporting period. Prospective residents may wish to review the detailed crime breakdown for further context.

The council area encompasses 61 towns and villages, including Abersychan, Blaenavon and Pontypool/Pont-y-pwl. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search Torfaen County Borough Council Planning Applications

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

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 363 planning applications Torfaen County Borough Council received. Of these, 66% were approved, with an average decision time of 73 days.

This is below the national average of approximately 87%, which may reflect stricter local policies, sensitivity of the area, or higher levels of speculative applications. Pre-application advice is particularly worthwhile in Torfaen County Borough Council.

The average decision period of 73 days exceeds the 8-week target for minor applications but falls within the 13-week target for major schemes. Applicants should plan for approximately 11 weeks from submission to decision.

The most common application types in Torfaen County Borough Council were full planning applications (187), discharge of conditions (76), outline applications (39). Full planning applications account for 52% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.

In terms of development scale, 1 large-scale (major) development, 36 medium-scale applications, 326 smaller schemes were submitted.

Application Outcomes

Approved: 65 applications
Refused: 19 applications
Withdrawn: 15 applications
Awaiting decision: 264 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.