Planning permission in Blackpool

In the last 12 months, 84.5% of home project applications were approved in Blackpool (84 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 83.2% of 1,581 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Blackpool's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

1,983Total applications

1,581Decided

83.2%Approval rate (of decided)

1,316 Approved+265 Refused+98 Withdrawn+140 Pending+164 Outcome not determined=1,983 Total

Reports for Blackpool are coming soon.

We are not yet generating property reports for Blackpool. You can still look up an address to see its planning constraints (conservation area, listed building, Article 4 direction, flood zone), and leave your email to hear when Blackpool reports go live.

Look up a property in Blackpool See a sample report

Decision Level

5Delegated

1,971Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	897	710	187	79.2%
Discharging planning conditions	160	158	2	98.8%
Advertisement Consent	112	89	23	79.5%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	106	84	22	79.2%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	63	57	6	90.5%
Prior approval (permitted development)	54	50	4	92.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	43	35	8	81.4%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	32	31	1	96.9%
Class H (E to C3)	25	24	1	96.0%
Listed Building Consent	24	24	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	65	54	11	mixed types

Listed Building Consent: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Demolition (13), Phone masts and telecoms (11), Protected tree works (TPO) (9), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (8), Part 3 Classes M and N (8), Outline Planning (5), Permission in Principle (5), Not Available (3), PA PT 3 CLASSES S &T, PT4 CLASS CA (1), Larger extensions (householder prior approval) (1), Non Material Amendments (1).

Quarterly Trend

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

Quarter	Decided	Approved	Approval rate
Q3 2023	48	40	83.3%
Q4 2023	143	112	78.3%
Q1 2024	127	107	84.3%
Q2 2024	122	104	85.2%
Q3 2024	131	119	90.8%
Q4 2024	121	87	71.9%
Q1 2025	107	89	83.2%
Q2 2025	142	115	81.0%
Q3 2025	143	125	87.4%
Q4 2025	102	91	89.2%
Q1 2026	117	99	84.6%
Q2 2026	30	25	83.3%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	4	4	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 179 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 73.1% in Waterloo to 93.1% in Warbreck, a gap of 20.0 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Talbot	267	220	47	82.4%
Stanley	123	101	22	82.1%
Bloomfield	115	91	24	79.1%
Marton	88	70	18	79.5%
Warbreck	87	81	6	93.1%
Waterloo	78	57	21	73.1%
Claremont	70	60	10	85.7%
Squires Gate	69	55	14	79.7%
Bispham	69	63	6	91.3%
Clifton	68	59	9	86.8%
Park	67	59	8	88.1%
Norbreck	66	57	9	86.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Blackpool?

In the last 12 months, 84.5% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Blackpool, based on 84 decided applications. Across all application types, 83.2% of 1,581 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Blackpool?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Blackpool in the last 12 months was 56 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Blackpool?

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 Blackpool?

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.

Reports for Blackpool are coming soon. Look up an address now to see its constraints, and join the waitlist.

Look up a property in Blackpool See a sample report