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Orkney Islands planning applications

651 applications. 96% approved. 94 days to decide.

As of September 2026, PlanIndex holds 651 planning applications from Orkney Islands. 263 were decided in the trailing 12 months, with 96% of clear-cut outcomes approved.

263
Decided 12 months to September 2026
342
New applications 12 months to September 2026
129
Awaiting decision

Orkney Islands takes a median of 94 days to decide a planning application, ranking 147 of 148 UK councils. See how that compares.

All applications

Newest first · page 1 of 14

  • 26/259/PN Decided

    13, 22, And 27 Hordaland, Kirkwall Orkney

    Install 3 x 8m pole and 1 x 9m pole

    Submitted 23 Aug 2026 Prior approval
  • 26/248/PN Awaiting decision

    Hobbister Moor, Orphir Orkney

    Peat Restoration

    Submitted 21 Aug 2026 Prior approval
  • 26/244/LB Awaiting decision

    22 High Street, Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1AZ

    Remove existing garage door and replace with window and composite boards and replace existing window and door to the rear of garage

    Submitted 19 Aug 2026 Heritage and listed buildings
  • 26/243/PP Awaiting decision

    1 King Street, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1JF

    Reinstate a house and extend, including alterations, install an air source heat pump and erect a boundary fence

    Submitted 18 Aug 2026
  • 26/242/HH Awaiting decision

    Harrabrough, 2 Quoybanks Drive, Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1EJ

    Extend a house

    Submitted 18 Aug 2026 Householder
  • 26/258/PN Decided

    3 Repeater Road (Land Near), Stenabreck (Land Near) Berstane Loan, Kirkwall

    Install 1 x 9m pole and 1 x 8m pole

    Submitted 14 Aug 2026 Prior approval
  • 26/238/PN Decided

    32 Summerdale Drive (Land Near), 16 Craigie Crescent (Land Near), 17 Craigie Crescent (Land Near), Kirkwall Orkney

    Install 3 x 9m wooden poles

    Submitted 11 Aug 2026 Prior approval
  • 26/233/HH Awaiting decision

    Goltaquoy, Goltaquoy Road, Westray Orkney KW17 2DE

    Extend a house

    Submitted 5 Aug 2026 Householder
  • 26/228/PP Awaiting decision

    Garden House, New Scapa Road, Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1BL

    Change of use from previously consented 'Boarding House (Class 7)' to 'Hotel (Class 7)'

    Submitted 30 Jul 2026
  • 26/229/LB Awaiting decision

    Glaitness House, Glaitness Road, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1BA

    Install replacement windows and repair windows

    Submitted 30 Jul 2026 Heritage and listed buildings
  • 26/227/PP Awaiting decision

    37 & 39 Victoria Street, Stromness, Orkney KW16 3BS

    Change of use from Post Office to mixed use facility (Class 1A/3/10) including creative arts-hub and café/retail. Demolish existing rear outbuildings and form three-storey extension, remove trees, install PV panels and air source heat pumps

    Submitted 28 Jul 2026
  • 26/226/PP Awaiting decision

    Snelsetter, Snelsetter Road, Hoy, Orkney KW16 3PA

    Change of use of building from agricultural to domestic, re-roof, remove concrete and stone skew, replace a window, two side doors and garage door

    Submitted 27 Jul 2026
  • 23/373/NMV/01 Awaiting decision

    Birsay Outdoor Centre And Campsite, Birsay, Orkney, KW17 2LY

    Change external wall finish from larch timber cladding to white rendered blockwork, for insurance reasons regarding fire

    Submitted 27 Jul 2026
  • 26/222/PP Awaiting decision

    Berrybank (Land Near), Evie, Orkney

    Erect a house with air source heat pump and create an access

    Submitted 24 Jul 2026
  • 26/223/SCR Awaiting decision

    Houton Road, Orphir, Orkney

    Screening opinion request for coastal protection works

    Submitted 23 Jul 2026
  • 26/220/LB Awaiting decision

    23 St Catherine's Place, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1HX

    Remove boundary wall

    Submitted 23 Jul 2026 Heritage and listed buildings
  • 26/218/HH Awaiting decision

    East End, Church Road, St Margarets Hope, South Ronaldsay, Orkney KW17 2SR

    Re-roof house with Spanish slate, replace and install three rooflights and paint windows and door

    Submitted 23 Jul 2026 Householder
  • 26/219/HH Awaiting decision

    Carradale, Finstown, Firth Orkney KW17 2EL

    Extend a house and lean to car port to existing shed

    Submitted 23 Jul 2026 Householder
  • 26/217/PP Awaiting decision

    Plot 12 Saxavord (Land Near), Orphir Village, Orphir Orkney

    Erect a house with an air source heat pump

    Submitted 22 Jul 2026
  • 24/353/NMV/01 Awaiting decision

    The Crafty, Junction Road, Kirkwall, Orkney

    1. Removal of the concealed gutter and replacement with a face-fixed half-round gutter. 2. Removal of concealed rainwater pipes from within the external walls, with rainwater pipes now exposed externally. 3. Addition of 15 no. photovoltaic (PV) panels to the roof following the SBEM calculation requirements. 4. Update to the north-west elevation windows to ensure they accurately reflect the approved plans

    Submitted 21 Jul 2026
  • 26/214/PIP Awaiting decision

    Hillside (Land Near), Otterswick Road, Sanday, Orkney

    Siting of a house and a detached garage (change of use of land from agricultural to domestic)

    Submitted 20 Jul 2026 Outline
  • 26/215/PP Awaiting decision

    Pier Office (Land Near), Pier Road, St Margarets Hope, South Ronaldsay, Orkney KW17 2SW

    Install a temporary office building

    Submitted 20 Jul 2026
  • 26/216/PP Awaiting decision

    Vinkwin (Land Near), Evie, Orkney

    Change of use from agricultural land to a secure dog walking field with associated access, parking area, fencing, gates and shelter (resubmission of 26/141/PP)

    Submitted 16 Jul 2026 Full applications
  • 26/211/AMC Awaiting decision

    Roselea Croft (Land Near), Blackhill Road, St Ola Orkney

    Erect a house with an integral garage and an air source heat pump

    Submitted 14 Jul 2026
  • 26/209/VR Awaiting decision

    Burgar Hill Wind Farm, Evie, Orkney

    Application to vary Condition 2 of 21/512/VR (varying 02/16/00189/PPF) to extend the operational life of two turbines at Burgar Hill from 20 years to 25 years from date of commissioning

    Submitted 13 Jul 2026
  • 26/210/HH Awaiting decision

    Newdale, Outertown Road, Stromness Parish, Orkney KW16 3JP

    Extend a house

    Submitted 13 Jul 2026 Householder
  • 26/208/PP Awaiting decision

    Thorden (Land Near), Deerness, Orkney ,

    Erect a house with an air source heat pump and garage

    Submitted 10 Jul 2026
  • 26/206/TC Decided

    Bank Of Scotland, 56 Albert Street, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1HJ

    Prune a tree

    Submitted 10 Jul 2026
  • 26/204/TPP Awaiting decision

    Kranyo (Land Near), Holm, Orkney

    Erect a 5kW wind turbine generator (maximum height 18m)

    Submitted 8 Jul 2026
  • 26/207/APN Awaiting decision

    Lenahowe, Tenston Road, Sandwick, Orkney KW16 3JA

    Erect a GP shed

    Submitted 7 Jul 2026
  • 26/200/PP Awaiting decision

    116 Victoria Street, Stromness, Orkney KW16 3BU

    Paint walls, windows and doors, minor roof repairs, and install new and replacement rooflights

    Submitted 6 Jul 2026
  • 26/201/LB Awaiting decision

    116 Victoria Street, Stromness Orkney KW16 3BU

    Paint walls, windows and doors, minor roof repairs, minor internal amendments, and install new and replacement rooflights

    Submitted 6 Jul 2026 Heritage and listed buildings
  • 26/199/HH Decided

    13 Papdale Crescent, Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1JS

    Extend a house

    Submitted 3 Jul 2026 Householder
  • 26/197/PP Awaiting decision

    27 North End Road, Stromness, Orkney KW16 3AG

    Change of use from store to student accommodation on first floor

    Submitted 2 Jul 2026
  • 26/195/PN Decided

    10 Quoybanks Crescent (Land Near), Kirkwall Orkney

    Install 1 x 9m wooden pole

    Submitted 22 Jun 2026 Prior approval
  • 26/191/HH Decided

    Westermill, 24 Willowburn Road, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1NG

    Proposed alteration and extension including dormer window

    Submitted 19 Jun 2026 Householder
  • 24/388/NMV/01 Awaiting decision

    13 Links, Sandy Road, Westray, Orkney KW17 2DH

    Install solar panels

    Submitted 18 Jun 2026
  • 26/188/PP Awaiting decision

    4 Dale Park, (Plot 10 Errival) St Ola, Orkney, KW15 1SX

    Erect a house with an integral garage and air source heat pump

    Submitted 16 Jun 2026
  • 26/190/PN Decided

    11 Slater Street (Land Near), Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1PQ

    Install 1 x 8m wooden pole

    Submitted 16 Jun 2026 Prior approval
  • 26/187/PP Awaiting decision

    31 Hillside Road(Land Near) Stromness Orkney

    Create two serviced sites and demolish a domestic garage

    Submitted 12 Jun 2026
  • 26/186/PP Awaiting decision

    Ferneybrae, Mill Bay Road, Eday Orkney KW17 2AB

    Erect a house with three air source heat pumps and an integral garage, associated landscaping and upgrade an access (resubmission of 24/429/PP)

    Submitted 12 Jun 2026
  • 26/189/EB Decided

    Park Of Heddle, Finstown Orkney

    Simplified notification to install three-span spur of 33kV overhead line with 10 metre wooden poles (Amendment to 26/086/EB)

    Submitted 12 Jun 2026
  • 26/183/PN Decided

    Old Papdale Halls Of Residence (Land Near), Berstane Road, Kirkwall, Orkney

    Install 1 x 9m wooden pole

    Submitted 11 Jun 2026 Prior approval
  • 26/185/LB Decided

    Sule Skerry Lighthouse, Orkney

    Internal strip out (including watchroom immediately beneath the lantern), structural repairs to cracks, roof and drainage repairs, re-waterproof, external redecoration (including historic metalwork repairs and replacements), replacement batteries, engine and fuel system, water system, lighting and rewiring, and full internal alterations including replacement bathroom, kitchen and accommodation areas

    Submitted 11 Jun 2026 Heritage and listed buildings
  • 26/184/APN Awaiting decision

    Braefoot, North End Road, Shapinsay Orkney KW17 2DZ

    Erect a GP shed

    Submitted 11 Jun 2026
  • 26/182/LB Awaiting decision

    West End Hotel, 14 Main Street, Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1BU

    Alter and extend a guest house including relocation of the bar/cafe

    Submitted 10 Jun 2026 Heritage and listed buildings
  • 26/177/LB Decided

    Flat 2, Nicols House, St Olaf's Wynd, Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1JB

    Replace gable window and two rooflights

    Submitted 5 Jun 2026 Heritage and listed buildings
  • 26/178/HH Decided

    Flat 2, Nicols House, St Olaf's Wynd, Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1JB

    Replace gable window and two rooflights

    Submitted 5 Jun 2026 Householder
  • 26/176/PP Awaiting decision

    Bu' Of Cairston, Bu Road, Stromness, Orkney KW16 3JH

    Change of use and extend mill to form a dwelling house, and erect a dwelling house and garage (two-for-one)

    Submitted 4 Jun 2026
  • 26/175/LB Decided

    Nationwide Building Society, 24 Bridge Street, Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1HR

    Install a defibrillator unit and bleed kit unit

    Submitted 4 Jun 2026 Heritage and listed buildings

Older applications, page 2 of 14

Recent decisions

Data to September 2026

  • 26/238/PN Decided

    32 Summerdale Drive (Land Near), 16 Craigie Crescent (Land Near), 17 Craigie Crescent (Land Near), Kirkwall Orkney

    Install 3 x 9m wooden poles

    Decided 7 Sep 2026 Prior approval
  • 26/158/HH Decided

    3 Robertson Loan, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1GQ

    Extend a house

    Decided 7 Sep 2026 Householder
  • 25/185/PP Granted

    Greenfield, Rousay, Orkney KW17 2PU

    Erect a house (attached to existing swimming pool), erect two self-catering pods, five sleeping pods, an amenity block (kitchen, toilets and showers), and a public house, create a camping area, install a communal foul drainage system and associated parking and landscaping

    Decided 2 Sep 2026
  • 26/185/LB Decided

    Sule Skerry Lighthouse, Orkney

    Internal strip out (including watchroom immediately beneath the lantern), structural repairs to cracks, roof and drainage repairs, re-waterproof, external redecoration (including historic metalwork repairs and replacements), replacement batteries, engine and fuel system, water system, lighting and rewiring, and full internal alterations including replacement bathroom, kitchen and accommodation areas

    Decided 2 Sep 2026 Heritage and listed buildings
  • 26/147/LB Decided

    Upper Flat, Old Manse, The Palace, Birsay, Orkney KW17 2LX

    Replace roof covering with composite slates

    Decided 1 Sep 2026 Heritage and listed buildings
  • 26/175/LB Decided

    Nationwide Building Society, 24 Bridge Street, Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1HR

    Install a defibrillator unit and bleed kit unit

    Decided 1 Sep 2026 Heritage and listed buildings
  • 26/043/PP Granted

    Braeside, Orphir Orkney KW17 2RB

    Change of use of land from agriculture to domestic, extend a house, and erect an agricultural building (part retrospective)

    Decided 28 Aug 2026
  • 26/097/PP Granted

    Ben-Elgar, Harray, Orkney KW17 2JU

    Erect a house with an integral garage (retrospective)

    Decided 28 Aug 2026
  • 25/285/PP Granted

    Northern Turbine Services Ltd, 1 Quarryfield Road, St Ola, Orkney KW15 1GD

    Erect a workshop/storage building and generator building, create an access and install replacement window and aerial (part retrospective)

    Decided 27 Aug 2026
  • 26/191/HH Decided

    Westermill, 24 Willowburn Road, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1NG

    Proposed alteration and extension including dormer window

    Decided 27 Aug 2026 Householder

The full record

Decisions between 2019 and 2026

PlanIndex holds 518 decisions from Orkney Islands between 2019 and 2026, part of 651 applications on record. Over that period 95% of clear-cut outcomes were approvals, 391 granted against 19 refused. The busiest single year was 2026, with 208 applications recorded.

The trailing-year figures above track current activity. This record reaches back further, so a decision here may predate the online portal; each application still has its own page with the source link.

From the archive

Earliest records shown in full

  • 19/363/PN Granted

    Warsetter (Land Near), Kettletoft, Sanday, Orkney KW17 2BA

    Install a pole, antennae, 2 cabinets and associated works

    Decided 18 Nov 2019 Prior approval
  • 19/369/HH Granted

    10 Claymore Brae, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1UQ

    Create an access and hardstanding

    Decided 3 Dec 2019 Householder
  • 19/368/APN Granted

    Flanders, Sandwick, Orkney, KW17 2JH

    Erect a GP shed

    Decided 3 Dec 2019 Prior approval
  • 19/364/HH Granted

    Schoolhouse, Harray, Orkney, KW17 2JR

    Erect a garage/workshop

    Decided 3 Dec 2019 Householder
  • 19/379/APN Granted

    Brough, Greenfield, St Andrews, Orkney, KW17 2QG

    Erect a GP shed

    Decided 12 Dec 2019 Prior approval
  • 19/416/EB Granted

    Rackwick Bay, Hoy, Orkney

    Install three terminal poles

    Decided 13 Dec 2019 Other
  • 19/366/PP Granted

    Bonnyvoe, Stews Road, South Ronaldsay, Orkney, KW17 2RL

    Erect a house and create an access (amendment to 18/071/PP)

    Decided 15 Dec 2019 Full applications
  • 19/359/AMC Granted

    Glenavon, Denwick Road, Deerness, Orkney, KW17 2QQ

    Erect a house with an integral garage and an air source heat pump and alter an access (following permission in principle - 18/256/PIP)

    Decided 15 Dec 2019 Conditions
  • 19/386/LB Granted

    Ness House, Ness Road, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3DL

    Remove internal partition

    Decided 19 Dec 2019 Heritage and listed buildings
  • 19/372/HH Granted

    15 Balfour, Shapinsay, Orkney, KW17 2DX

    Install external insulation to the rear elevation

    Decided 20 Dec 2019 Householder

Decision speed

12 months to September 2026, where both dates are published

  1. Within 8 weeks the statutory target for most applications 56 21%
  2. 8 to 13 weeks the target band for major development 71 27%
  3. Over 13 weeks often extended by agreement 136 52%

Planning agents in Orkney Islands

The firms named as agent on the most applications on this register. Company information only.

  1. R. Clouston Ltd 100% granted overall 27
  2. Crawford Architecture 96% granted overall 25
  3. LBCA 100% granted overall 20
  4. Cindy Mackenzie Architectural Services 100% granted overall 15
  5. Breck Designs 100% granted overall 12

Browse by ward

Applications by ward in Orkney Islands

Browse by postcode area

Applications by postcode district

Common questions

How many planning applications does Orkney Islands decide?

In the 12 months to September 2026, Orkney Islands decided 263 planning applications. 96% of clear-cut outcomes were approvals.

How long does a planning decision take in Orkney Islands?

The median time from a planning application being received to a decision was 94 days over the 12 months to September 2026. Individual cases vary with complexity and consultation responses.

How many Orkney Islands decisions arrive within the eight week target?

Of the 263 decisions in the 12 months to September 2026 where both dates are published, 21% came within eight weeks of the application being received, and 48% within thirteen weeks.

How many planning applications has Orkney Islands decided in total?

PlanIndex holds 518 decisions from Orkney Islands between 2019 and 2026, out of 651 applications on record. Across that whole period 95% of clear-cut outcomes were approvals.

When is planning activity busiest in Orkney Islands?

November 2025 was the busiest month across the 12 months to September 2026, with 40 applications recorded. The monthly pattern is listed on this page.

How do I find a planning application by its reference number?

Every application indexed here has its own page at a stable address. Look the reference up in a search engine together with the council name, or browse the latest applications below. Each page shows the description, address, dates and decision as the council published them.

Where can I see the full documents for an application?

Plans, drawings and officer reports stay on Orkney Islands's own planning portal. Every application page here links straight to the source record.

Cite these figures

Click the text to select the whole citation.

Orkney Islands: 651 planning applications on record as of September 2026. Trailing 12 months: 263 decided, 96% approved, median 94 days to a decision. 342 new applications received in the same period. Decisions on record run between 2019 and 2026: 518 in total, 95% approved. Source: PlanIndex, planindex.co.uk.