Planning permission in Burnley

In the last 12 months, 92.5% of home project applications were approved in Burnley (67 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about seven weeks (median 52 days).

Across all application types, 86.6% of 1,304 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Burnley's public planning register. Data last updated: 5 May 2026.

1,575Total applications

1,304Decided

86.6%Approval rate (of decided)

1,129 Approved+175 Refused+73 Withdrawn+111 Pending+87 Outcome not determined=1,575 Total

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Decision Level

1,511Delegated

58Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	337	286	51	84.9%
Full planning applications	310	253	57	81.6%
Discharging planning conditions	218	212	6	97.2%
Prior approval (permitted development)	77	59	18	76.6%
Protected tree works (TPO)	71	67	4	94.4%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	60	57	3	95.0%
Advertisement Consent	55	49	6	89.1%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	46	42	4	91.3%
Listed Building Consent	45	42	3	93.3%
Tree works in a conservation area	23	20	3	87.0%
Other*	62	42	20	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Change of Use (17), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (15), Permission in Principle (9), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (6), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (3), Outline Planning (3), Phone masts and telecoms (3), Mod-Discharge of S106 (2), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (1), Demolition (1), LCC Consultation (1), County Consultation (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	30	22	73.3%
Q4 2023	103	90	87.4%
Q1 2024	101	86	85.1%
Q2 2024	119	102	85.7%
Q3 2024	117	99	84.6%
Q4 2024	87	68	78.2%
Q1 2025	106	91	85.8%
Q2 2025	122	103	84.4%
Q3 2025	125	114	91.2%
Q4 2025	101	94	93.1%
Q1 2026	89	79	88.8%
Q2 2026	1	1	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 137 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 80.5% in Briercliffe to 93.1% in Daneshouse With Stoneyholme, a gap of 12.6 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Daneshouse With Stoneyholme	188	175	13	93.1%
Cliviger With Worsthorne	143	124	19	86.7%
Hapton With Park	106	86	20	81.1%
Coal Clough With Deerplay	100	88	12	88.0%
Queensgate	96	80	16	83.3%
Rosehill With Burnley Wood	85	73	12	85.9%
Trinity	85	73	12	85.9%
Briercliffe	82	66	16	80.5%
Lanehead	71	60	11	84.5%
Rosegrove With Lowerhouse	70	60	10	85.7%
Gawthorpe	59	52	7	88.1%
Bank Hall	59	53	6	89.8%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Burnley?

In the last 12 months, 92.5% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Burnley, based on 67 decided applications. Across all application types, 86.6% of 1,304 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Burnley?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Burnley in the last 12 months was 52 days (about seven weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Burnley?

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 Burnley?

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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