Planning permission in Lancaster

In the last 12 months, 87.9% of home project applications were approved in Lancaster (99 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 58 days).

Across all application types, 87.0% of 3,608 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Lancaster's public planning register. Data last updated: 12 July 2026.

4,223Total applications

3,608Decided

87.0%Approval rate (of decided)

3,138 Approved+470 Refused+158 Withdrawn+279 Pending+178 Outcome not determined=4,223 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	1,363	1,159	204	85.0%
Protected tree works (TPO)	514	511	3	99.4%
Discharging planning conditions	428	395	33	92.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	293	245	48	83.6%
Listed Building Consent	221	193	28	87.3%
Prior approval (permitted development)	183	117	66	63.9%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	138	117	21	84.8%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	133	111	22	83.5%
Environmental impact screening and scoping	126	126	0	no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	70	58	12	82.9%
Advertisement Consent	61	52	9	85.2%
Change of Use	22	18	4	81.8%
Other*	56	36	20	mixed types

Environmental impact screening and scoping: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Outline Planning (14), Phone masts and telecoms (10), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (5), Habitat Regulations Assessment (5), County Council Consultation (4), Agricult. Determ. - Full Details (4), Tree works in a conservation area (4), Variation of Legal Agreement (4), Permission in Principle (4), Demolition (1), Government Application (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	106	97	91.5%
Q4 2023	274	221	80.7%
Q1 2024	314	271	86.3%
Q2 2024	325	290	89.2%
Q3 2024	279	242	86.7%
Q4 2024	307	273	88.9%
Q1 2025	290	246	84.8%
Q2 2025	343	293	85.4%
Q3 2025	326	281	86.2%
Q4 2025	245	210	85.7%
Q1 2026	279	237	84.9%
Q2 2026	24	22	91.7%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 300 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 78.2% in Ellel Ward to 90.9% in Silverdale Ward, a gap of 12.7 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Castle Ward	324	282	42	87.0%
Ellel Ward	303	237	66	78.2%
Lower Lune Valley Ward	300	269	31	89.7%
Bolton And Slyne Ward	271	241	30	88.9%
Upper Lune Valley Ward	263	233	30	88.6%
Halton-with-Aughton And Kellet Ward	255	217	38	85.1%
Silverdale Ward	176	160	16	90.9%
Scotforth West Ward	162	143	19	88.3%
Marsh Ward	135	118	17	87.4%
Warton Ward	134	115	19	85.8%
Overton Ward	114	98	16	86.0%
Poulton Ward	113	99	14	87.6%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Lancaster?

In the last 12 months, 87.9% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Lancaster, based on 99 decided applications. Across all application types, 87.0% of 3,608 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Lancaster?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Lancaster in the last 12 months was 58 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Lancaster?

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 Lancaster?

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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