Sunderland City Council has finalised an expedited Fast-Track planning service for householder extensions and business advertisement (shop sign) applications, finalised in February 2026. The optional, fee-based service lets applicants pay an additional fast-track fee to get a decision in around five weeks, rather than the statutory eight weeks.
According to the council’s Fast-Track Planning Service policy (Version 2, April 2025), the goal is to cut waiting times for minor projects by moving smaller, lower-complexity applications through the system more quickly. The council says this will help clear high-volume, low-complexity cases so specialist officers can focus on major regeneration schemes.
The change is being introduced as part of the City Plan 2025–2035 to modernise local services and support the local economy, and to reduce delays to small home improvements that can arise while large development projects are under way across the city.
Applications for the fast-track service are handled via the Sunderland planning portal (the council’s online applications system). Applicants should note that the council’s reduced decision target generally runs from the point an application is validated by the registry team, not from initial submission. The fast-track fee is charged in addition to the national statutory planning fee, and the council’s policy states the fast-track fee is non-refundable where a decision is issued within the guaranteed timescale.
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