Planning permission in Bury

In the last 12 months, 96.3% of home project applications were approved in Bury (325 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 87.8% of 2,845 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Bury's public planning register. Data last updated: 23 August 2026.

3,697Total applications

2,845Decided

87.8%Approval rate (of decided)

2,498 Approved+347 Refused+135 Withdrawn+290 Pending+427 Outcome not determined=3,697 Total

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Decision Level

3,582Delegated

11Committee

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	2,183	1,944	239	89.1%
Discharging planning conditions	132	128	4	97.0%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	132	126	6	95.5%
Permitted Development - Extensions	121	116	5	95.9%
Advertisement Consent	88	48	40	54.5%
Prior approval (permitted development)	55	42	13	76.4%
Listed Building Consent	32	28	4	87.5%
Consultation From Neighbouring Authority	24	21	3	87.5%
Other*	78	45	33	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Phone masts and telecoms (17), Planning Permission in Principle (13), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (12), Demolition (12), Outline Planning (6), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (6), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (5), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (2), Prior App Commercial to mixed use (1), Reg 3 Council's Own Development (1), Environmental impact screening and scoping (1), Prior Approval Offices to Dwellings (1), Prior Approval Solar PV (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	93	81	87.1%
Q4 2023	246	214	87.0%
Q1 2024	220	193	87.7%
Q2 2024	176	155	88.1%
Q3 2024	198	179	90.4%
Q4 2024	193	173	89.6%
Q1 2025	218	195	89.4%
Q2 2025	229	205	89.5%
Q3 2025	261	233	89.3%
Q4 2025	258	226	87.6%
Q1 2026	221	180	81.4%
Q2 2026	126	116	92.1%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	11	10	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 326 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 77.1% in Bury East to 94.7% in Not Available, a gap of 17.6 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Prestwich - Sedgley	298	263	35	88.3%
North Manor	244	220	24	90.2%
Bury East	236	182	54	77.1%
Ramsbottom	227	196	31	86.3%
Prestwich - Holyrood	166	156	10	94.0%
Whitefield + Unsworth - Pilkington Park	159	138	21	86.8%
Prestwich - St Mary's	152	131	21	86.2%
Not Available	152	144	8	94.7%
Whitefield + Unsworth - Unsworth	151	136	15	90.1%
Bury East - Redvales	151	133	18	88.1%
Radcliffe - North and Ainsworth	135	117	18	86.7%
Bury East - Moorside	122	103	19	84.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Bury?

In the last 12 months, 96.3% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Bury, based on 325 decided applications. Across all application types, 87.8% of 2,845 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Bury?

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

Do I need planning permission in Bury?

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 Bury?

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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