Sunderland City Council planning applications
Data as of 5 November 2026
Sunderland City Council decided more than 1,200 planning applications in the twelve months to 5 November 2026. It refused 11% of those it approved or refused, higher than the middle UK council (9%), and took a median of 50 days to decide one.
Look up one application
Search by reference or address on Sunderland 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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3 November 2026 · Approved
Land South West Of Herrington Country Park Chester Road Penshaw Sunderland · 25/02038/REM
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25 August 2026 · Approved
Land West Of Tunstall Lodge Hotel Burdon Road Tunstall Sunderland · 25/01075/FUL
Figures for Sunderland City Council
| Applications decided | more than 1,200 |
|---|---|
| Share refusedof those approved or refused | 11%middle UK council 9% |
| Median time to a decisionfrom the valid date | 50 daysmiddle UK council 55 days |
| Householder applications refusedextensions, lofts, outbuildings | Not enough typed decisions |
| Appeals decidedin the last three years | 64 |
| Appeals allowedof those decided on their merits | 31%about one in three |
| Officer reports and decision notices searchable | back to 2017 |
| Local Plan policies held | 90plan adopted 2020 |
What inspectors decide appeals on
In their own words, from recent appeal decisions on Sunderland City Council’s planning applications.
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“The main issues are: - whether the proposal would amount to inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to any relevant development plan policies and the National Planning Policy Framework (‘the Framework’); - the effect of the proposal on…”
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“The main issue is the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area and the greenspace.”
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“The main issues are: • the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, including the implications for the retention and health of protected trees on the site; • whether the proposed development would provide…”
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“The main issues are: • the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area; • the effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, with specific regard to outlook; and •…”
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“The main issue is the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”
How we count, and what each figure leaves out: methodology. The council’s own register is the record, and each application links to it.