Planning permission in Lake District

In the last 12 months, 95.0% of home project applications were approved in Lake District (120 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 55 days).

Across all application types, 91.0% of 3,641 applications decided since May 2023 were approved. Based on Lake District's public planning register. Data last updated: 30 April 2026.

4,397Total applications
3,641Decided
91.0%Approval rate (of decided)
3,314 Approved+327 Refused+317 Withdrawn+1 Pending+438 Outcome not determined=4,397 Total
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By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 1,941 1,782 159
91.8%
Tree works in a conservation area 335 334 1
99.7%
S73 (Amend/Delete Condition) 235 217 18
92.3%
Listed Building Consent 212 188 24
88.7%
Protected tree works (TPO) 184 175 9
95.1%
Prior approval (permitted development) 174 160 14
92.0%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 140 120 20
85.7%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 72 64 8
88.9%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 70 50 20
71.4%
Advertisement Consent 47 41 6
87.2%
Phone masts and telecoms 21 19 2
90.5%
Other* 210 164 46 mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Outline Planning (16), BNG - Confirmation of Compliance (13), Notification of Intention (Demolition, Q6g) (13), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (11), Full Planning (Major) (11), Other (7), Notice of Intention (Change of Use, Q6g) (7), Modify planning obligation (5), Consultation (5), Enquiry - Advice (After 1 August 2018) (5), Notice of Intention (Solar, Q6g) (3), CLPWLB - Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Works to Listed Building (3), Hedgerow Removal (3), Enquiry - Timeline (1), Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Option (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 100 94
94.0%
Q4 2023 337 313
92.9%
Q1 2024 348 304
87.4%
Q2 2024 317 279
88.0%
Q3 2024 331 303
91.5%
Q4 2024 305 284
93.1%
Q1 2025 325 297
91.4%
Q2 2025 316 290
91.8%
Q3 2025 304 273
89.8%
Q4 2025 356 330
92.7%
Q1 2026 302 267
88.4%
Q2 2026 102 92
90.2%
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 269 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 87.3% in Broughton & Coniston Ward to 95.5% in Windermere Ward, a gap of 8.2 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Windermere and Ambleside Ward 435 404 31
92.9%
Keswick Ward 309 281 28
90.9%
Broughton & Coniston Ward 245 214 31
87.3%
Ambleside & Grasmere Ward 222 194 28
87.4%
Bowness and Lyth Ward 213 192 21
90.1%
Bowness & Levens Ward 206 184 22
89.3%
Coniston and Hawkshead Ward 192 178 14
92.7%
Bothel and Wharrels Ward 154 142 12
92.2%
Windermere Ward 133 127 6
95.5%
Greystoke and Ullswater Ward 129 122 7
94.6%
Grange and Cartmel Ward 114 103 11
90.4%
Ullswater Ward 104 96 8
92.3%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Lake District?
In the last 12 months, 95.0% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Lake District, based on 120 decided applications. Across all application types, 91.0% of 3,641 applications decided since May 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Lake District?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Lake District in the last 12 months was 55 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Lake District?
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 Lake District?
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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