Chelmsford is one of the fastest councils in England for householder decisions, ranking #23 out of 296. Only 21% of applications have the time limit extended, well below the 41% national average - the council usually decides on time. Householder applications are slightly more likely to be approved here (90%) than the national average (90%).

Among the fastest councils in England

for householder decisions

These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance

Chelmsford decision performance

Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026

87%

Overall approval rate

Above avg (87%) #167 of 296

90%

Householder approved

Above avg (90%) #188 of 296

84%

Decided in 8 weeks

Above avg (63%) #23 of 296

21%

Extended time limit

Below avg (41%) #19 of 296

76%

Minor dwellings approved

164 decided (1-9 homes)

88%

Major dwellings approved

8 decided (10+ homes)

79%

Change of use approved

52 decided

1,304

Total decisions

168 refused in the year to March 2026