Planning Permission in Stevenage
Non-Metropolitan District in East of England · Last updated April 2026
Stevenage was Britain's first post-war new town, designated in 1946. The town is notable for its pioneering modernist design, including the UK's first pedestrianised town centre and an extensive cycle network. With 7 conservation areas and 128 listed buildings, the borough combines its new town heritage with the medieval Old Town.
Green Belt surrounds the compact town, constraining outward growth. The borough has no Article 4 directions, and most residential areas retain full PD rights. The new town housing stock with its generous gardens typically makes PD compliance straightforward.
Stevenage's planning service manages applications for a town undergoing significant regeneration, particularly in the town centre, while protecting its mid-century modern heritage.
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What can I build in Stevenage?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Stevenage outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (7), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Stevenage outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (7), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (7), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Stevenage | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Stevenage outside protected zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings, Green Belt |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of Stevenage (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Stevenage's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Stevenage
Stevenage has no Article 4 directions, so most properties outside conservation areas retain full PD rights. The Green Belt around the town constrains development on the edges. The new town housing stock — with its characteristic neighbourhood design, generous gardens, and separated pedestrian and vehicle routes — generally makes PD compliance straightforward. The 7 conservation areas cover the Old Town and selected new town areas.
What Stevenage expects from your project
Local design guidance
Local Plan: Stevenage Borough Local Plan 2011–2031
Stevenage Borough adopted its Local Plan in February 2019. Stevenage was England's first post-war New Town and the plan supports its evolution as a modern knowledge economy centre, with significant regeneration of the Town Centre and the pin-wheel bus station quarter alongside employment growth at the Gunnels Wood business parks.
Emerging / replacement plan
Stevenage is preparing a new Local Plan. A Regulation 18 Issues and Options consultation ran in 2022 and a Regulation 19 Pre-Submission plan is anticipated in 2025.
92.6% approval rate
Stevenage approves 92.6% of planning applications, above the national average of 86.9%. Well-designed residential applications in this area tend to have a good chance of success.
Conservation areas in Stevenage
7 designated conservation areas
Stevenage's 7 conservation areas include the medieval Old Town and areas of the new town recognised for architectural significance. The Old Town conservation area covers the High Street with its timber-framed and Georgian buildings — a sharp contrast to the modernist new town. New town conservation areas recognise the pioneering post-war planning and architecture.
Article 4 directions in Stevenage
3 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Stevenage
There are 128 listed buildings in Stevenage. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with Stevenage's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Stevenage received 270 planning applications and decided 283 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 92.6% is above the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
Stevenage manages a moderate caseload with a 92.6% approval rate and 89% delegation rate. The 94.9% on-time rate for householder decisions shows reliable processing. With 270 applications received, the compact borough handles a proportionate workload.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Recent planning applications in Stevenage
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Stevenage expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Stevenage's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Housing delivery in Stevenage
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Stevenage delivered 383 homes against a requirement of 1,015 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 38%. This is well below the 75% threshold, which triggers the most significant consequence: the “presumption in favour of sustainable development” (also called the “tilted balance”). This means planning applications for housing should be approved unless the harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. For homeowners, this is a strong signal — Stevenage is under considerable pressure to approve housing, making it one of the more favourable environments for residential planning applications in England.
Lawful Development Certificates in Stevenage
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Stevenage that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
Stevenage decided 137 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 94.9% is above the national average of 93%, which suggests LDC applications are likely to be processed on time. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Stevenage
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Stevenage's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
Stevenage must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Stevenage.
Pre-application advice in Stevenage
Stevenage offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is Varies by proposal type.
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
Think your project might be permitted development?
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Check your PD rights now →Stevenage offers pre-application advice for householder and larger developments.
Planning fees and timelines in Stevenage
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning application | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Full planning permission | £610 per dwelling | 8-13 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6-8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6-8 weeks |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Prior approval | £120 | 56 days |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | 8 weeks |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | 28 days |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Stevenage and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Stevenage
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in Stevenage is provided by Stevenage Building Control. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Stevenage planning department
Your building project checklist for Stevenage
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Stevenage has 7 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Stevenage has 3 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
Nearby planning authorities
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