Colchester City Council planning applications
Data as of 5 November 2026
Colchester City Council decided more than 1,300 planning applications in the twelve months to 5 November 2026. It refused 12% of those it approved or refused, higher than the middle UK council (9%), and took a median of 56 days to decide one.
Look up one application
Search by reference or address on Colchester City Council’s own planning portal. Or ask Claude, with the PlanningLedger connector, to find it and read its officer report and decision notice (mcp.planningledger.com).
Recent major decisions
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28 August 2026 · Refused
Outline application for demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 52 new dwellings
Land at, 102 East Road, West Mersea Colchester CO5 8SA · 260566
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28 July 2026 · Approved
former Langham Oaks Boarding School, School Road, Langham Colchester CO4 5PA · 251023
Figures for Colchester City Council
| Applications decided | more than 1,300 |
|---|---|
| Share refusedof those approved or refused | 12%middle UK council 9% |
| Median time to a decisionfrom the valid date | 56 daysmiddle UK council 55 days |
| Householder applications refusedextensions, lofts, outbuildings | Not enough typed decisions |
| Appeals decidedin the last three years | more than 260 |
| Appeals allowedof those decided on their merits | 29%about one in three |
| Officer reports and decision notices searchable | back to 2023 |
| Local Plan policies held | 81plan adopted 2022 |
What inspectors decide appeals on
In their own words, from recent appeal decisions on Colchester City Council’s planning applications.
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“The main issue is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”
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“The main issue is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.”
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“The main issues in this appeal are: • Whether the proposed development would be in a suitable location, having regard to the local development strategy; • The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area…”
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“The main issues in this appeal are: • Whether the proposed development would be in a suitable location, having regard to the local development strategy; • The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area…”
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“The main issues are: • Whether the appeal site is in a suitable location for the proposed development having regard to local and national policies and access to services and facilities; • The effect of the proposed development on the…”
How we count, and what each figure leaves out: methodology. The council’s own register is the record, and each application links to it.