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Planning in Rayleigh

Approved
91%
41 of 44 decided
Decision time
about 6 weeks
on average

Applications within 1 km of the centre of Rayleigh in the last 24 months, from Rochford District Council's planning register.

Decided by Rochford District CouncilCouncil page

Around Rayleigh

For home projects and trades

About Rayleigh

Rayleigh is a market town and civil parish located in the Rochford District of Essex, England, situated 32 miles east of central London between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea. As of the 2021 census, the parish had a population of 32,248, with the built-up area slightly higher at 32,380. This vibrant town offers a mix of residential and commercial opportunities, making it a significant area for planning applications and development within the region. The town has a population of approximately 32,248 (2021 estimate). It sits within the Rochford district.

Property prices in Rayleigh show an average sale price of £414,202, based on 50 recent transactions recorded by HM Land Registry. There are currently no active flood warnings for the Rayleigh area, indicating a relatively low flood risk at present. This is a positive factor for both existing residents and those considering property purchases or new developments.

In terms of safety, there were no crimes reported in the immediate area during the most recent reporting period (May 2026). This makes Rayleigh a particularly low-crime area, which is often reflected in its desirability and property values.

The area around Rayleigh has 5 nature designations nearby, which may affect how planning applications are assessed.

For anyone interested in property development or monitoring local planning decisions, Rayleigh planning applications can be searched by entering a local postcode above. Results include full application details, decision status, and the ability to track applications over time and set planning alerts to help you monitor and review pending planning applications.

Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

To comment on or object to a planning application near Rayleigh, open it in the list above: each one links to the council's own page for it and shows any comment deadline.

In the last 24 months, 75 planning applications were submitted near Rayleigh. Of these, 91% were approved, with an average decision time of 39 days.

The most common types were amendments (11), full planning applications (5), tree works (5). 2 large-scale developments were submitted during this period.

1 planning appeal was lodged, of which 0 were allowed and 1 was dismissed (0% success rate).

Common questions

How many planning applications have been submitted near Rayleigh?
In the last 24 months, 75 planning applications were submitted near Rayleigh. The approval rate is 91%.
How long do planning decisions take near Rayleigh?
The average planning decision time near Rayleigh is 39 days. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for minor applications and 13 weeks for major applications.
What is the planning approval rate near Rayleigh?
The planning approval rate near Rayleigh is 91%. The national average across England and Wales is 87%.
What types of planning applications are most common near Rayleigh?
The most common type of planning application near Rayleigh is amendment applications, with 11 submissions in the last 24 months.
How can I track planning applications near Rayleigh?
You can search and track planning applications near Rayleigh on Planning Signal. Create a free account to save searches, watch specific applications, and receive email alerts when new plans are submitted nearby.