Planiverse / Authorities / Blackburn with Darwen

Planning permission in Blackburn with Darwen

In the last 12 months, 99.4% of home project applications were approved in Blackburn with Darwen (166 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 94.3% of 2,015 applications decided since April 2023 were approved. Based on Blackburn with Darwen's public planning register. Data last updated: 13 May 2026.

2,470Total applications
2,015Decided
94.3%Approval rate (of decided)
1,901 Approved+114 Refused+225 Withdrawn+200 Pending+30 Outcome not determined=2,470 Total
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Decision Level
1,920Delegated
By Development Category

All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 1,068 1,011 57
94.7%
Discharging planning conditions 241 229 12
95.0%
Protected tree works (TPO) 182 173 9
95.1%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 84 82 2
97.6%
Changing a planning condition (S73) 76 74 2
97.4%
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 74 72 2
97.3%
Advertisement Consent 55 54 1
98.2%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 54 45 9
83.3%
Listed Building Consent 38 37 1
97.4%
Prior approval (permitted development) 36 34 2
94.4%
Tree works in a conservation area 25 24 1
96.0%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 21 19 2
90.5%
Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) 21 16 5
76.2%
Other* 40 31 9 mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Enforcement (9), Permission in Principle (8), Environmental impact screening and scoping (6), Phone masts and telecoms (6), Outline Planning (5), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (2), Variation of Legal Agreement/S106 (2), Prior Approval - Agricultural to Flexible Commercial Use (1), Prior Approval - Agricultural Building (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 63 59
93.7%
Q4 2023 176 163
92.6%
Q1 2024 157 150
95.5%
Q2 2024 170 158
92.9%
Q3 2024 182 174
95.6%
Q4 2024 154 147
95.5%
Q1 2025 145 137
94.5%
Q2 2025 187 174
93.0%
Q3 2025 188 174
92.6%
Q4 2025 166 159
95.8%
Q1 2026 168 163
97.0%
Q2 2026 54 50
92.6%
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 205 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 89.0% in Shear Brow & Corporation Park to 98.7% in Audley & Queens Park, a gap of 9.7 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
West Pennine 283 265 18
93.6%
Blackburn Central 223 210 13
94.2%
Billinge & Beardwood 209 203 6
97.1%
Little Harwood & Whitebirk 139 136 3
97.8%
Livesey With Pleasington 135 133 2
98.5%
Roe Lee 127 117 10
92.1%
Blackburn South East 109 105 4
96.3%
Darwen West 95 92 3
96.8%
Shear Brow & Corporation Park 82 73 9
89.0%
Bastwell & Daisyfield 82 78 4
95.1%
Darwen South 81 79 2
97.5%
Audley & Queens Park 77 76 1
98.7%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Blackburn with Darwen?
In the last 12 months, 99.4% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Blackburn with Darwen, based on 166 decided applications. Across all application types, 94.3% of 2,015 applications decided since April 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Blackburn with Darwen?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Blackburn with Darwen in the last 12 months was 56 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Blackburn with Darwen?
It depends on the project and the property. Many home projects fall under permitted development rights, but constraints such as conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions change what needs permission at a specific address. See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.
Do I need a planning consultant in Blackburn with Darwen?
Many home projects do not need one. A straightforward extension on an unconstrained property is often handled directly with the council, or with an architect or agent preparing the drawings. A consultant is more likely to earn their fee where the site is constrained, the council has refused similar schemes, or an appeal is in prospect. Understanding your property's constraints and the council's recent decisions first makes any conversation with a professional a better-informed one.
Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights, Article 4 directions and planning costs.

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