Planning permission in Liverpool

In the last 12 months, 90.1% of home project applications were approved in Liverpool (91 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work.

Across all application types, 82.6% of 6,616 applications decided since May 2023 were approved. Based on Liverpool's public planning register. Data last updated: 6 May 2026.

7,955Total applications

6,616Decided

82.6%Approval rate (of decided)

5,466 Approved+1,150 Refused+342 Withdrawn+0 Pending+997 Outcome not determined=7,955 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	1,641	1,475	166	89.9%
Full planning applications	1,464	1,122	342	76.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	1,178	802	376	68.1%
Discharging planning conditions	712	711	1	99.9%
Tree works in a conservation area	605	515	90	85.1%
Listed Building Consent	337	317	20	94.1%
Advertisement Consent	328	264	64	80.5%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	209	179	30	85.6%
Phone masts and telecoms	47	9	38	19.1%
Prior Approval Solar Panel	22	21	1	95.5%
Prior Detm - Demolition	20	17	3	85.0%
Other*	53	34	19	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Prior approval (permitted development) (17), Prior Approval Office to Residential (13), Outline Planning (5), Larger extensions (householder prior approval) (5), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (3), Environmental Impact Assessment (3), BNG - Approval of Biodiversity Gain Plan Condition (3), Prior Approval Various to State Funded School or Nursey (1), Planning Permission in Principle (1), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (1), Prior detm - Local Private Ways (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	35	30	85.7%
Q4 2023	48	41	85.4%
Q1 2024	265	225	84.9%
Q2 2024	162	126	77.8%
Q3 2024	173	156	90.2%
Q4 2024	189	159	84.1%
Q1 2025	140	108	77.1%
Q2 2025	227	186	81.9%
Q3 2025	234	197	84.2%
Q4 2025	161	135	83.9%
Q1 2026	111	91	82.0%
Q2 2026	48	38	79.2%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 415 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 62.4% in Kensington & Fairfield to 94.7% in County, a gap of 32.3 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
City Centre North	450	393	57	87.3%
Kensington & Fairfield	378	236	142	62.4%
Smithdown	357	233	124	65.3%
County	263	249	14	94.7%
City Centre South	242	218	24	90.1%
Canning	230	215	15	93.5%
Much Woolton & Hunts Cross	191	154	37	80.6%
Woolton Village	173	151	22	87.3%
Sefton Park	158	124	34	78.5%
Arundel	150	109	41	72.7%
Kirkdale East	148	134	14	90.5%
Grassendale & Cressington	146	129	17	88.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Liverpool?

In the last 12 months, 90.1% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Liverpool, based on 91 decided applications. Across all application types, 82.6% of 6,616 applications decided since May 2023 were approved.

Do I need planning permission in Liverpool?

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 Liverpool?

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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