Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council planning applications
Data as of 5 November 2026
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council decided more than 1,800 planning applications in the twelve months to 5 November 2026. It refused 10% of those it approved or refused, about the same as 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 Welwyn Hatfield Borough 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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13 October 2026 · Approved
Land adjacent to 52 London Road Knebworth SG3 6HG · 6/2025/0847/OUTLINE
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9 October 2026 · Approved
Former Shredded Wheat Factory Broadwater Road Welwyn Garden City AL7 1RR · 6/2025/0321/MAJ
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2 October 2026 · Approved
Land at Southway Hatfield · 6/2025/2336/RM
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28 August 2026 · Refused
Warren Lodge Stables Great North Road Hatfield AL10 0TS · 6/2026/0300/FULL
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25 August 2026 · Approved
Outline application for up to 80 dwellings with all matters reserved except access
Land at Pooleys Lane Welham Green AL9 7LQ · 6/2025/0871/OUTLINE
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31 July 2026 · Approved
Phases 2, 3 and 4 Land at Hollybush Lane to the east of A1000 and north of Ascots Lane Welwyn Garden City AL7 4EG · 6/2025/1024/RM
Figures for Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
| Applications decided | more than 1,800 |
|---|---|
| Share refusedof those approved or refused | 10%middle UK council 9% |
| Median time to a decisionfrom the valid date | 56 daysmiddle UK council 55 days |
| Householder applications refusedextensions, lofts, outbuildings | 13%of more than 400 decided |
| Appeals decidedin the last three years | more than 120 |
| Appeals allowedof those decided on their merits | 26%about one in four |
| Officer reports and decision notices searchable | back to 2017 |
| Local Plan policies held | 64plan adopted 2023 |
What inspectors decide appeals on
In their own words, from recent appeal decisions on Welwyn Hatfield Borough 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 issue is the effect of the proposed development upon the character and appearance of the area.”
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“The main issues are: • whether the proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies; • the effect of the proposed development on the openness of the…”
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“The main issues are: • the effect of the proposed development upon highway safety, with regard to the integrity of surrounding land and structures. • the effect of the proposed 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.