Planning permission in Pendle

In the last 12 months, 83.8% of home project applications were approved in Pendle (130 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 54 days).

Across all application types, 87.0% of 2,228 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Pendle's public planning register. Data last updated: 9 April 2026.

2,522Total applications

2,228Decided

87.0%Approval rate (of decided)

1,939 Approved+289 Refused+110 Withdrawn+0 Pending+184 Outcome not determined=2,522 Total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)	660	567	93	85.9%
Full planning applications	502	416	86	82.9%
Discharging planning conditions	282	273	9	96.8%
Protected tree works (TPO)	190	174	16	91.6%
Tree works in a conservation area	169	160	9	94.7%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	95	84	11	88.4%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	60	50	10	83.3%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	52	49	3	94.2%
Advertisement Consent	45	39	6	86.7%
Permission In Principle	39	23	16	59.0%
Listed Building Consent	37	30	7	81.1%
Prior approval (permitted development)	36	34	2	94.4%
Other*	61	40	21	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (11), Outline Planning (7), Phone masts and telecoms (6), Technical Details Consent (6), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (5), Circular 14/90 Overhead Electricity Line (5), Prior App Solar Panels on Non-Dom Bdgs (4), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (3), Change of Use (3), Demolition (3), LA Full App - Dev by LA (2), Not Available (1), Assets of Community Value (1), Hedgerow Removal (1), County Consultation to LPA (1), New Dwellings on Commercial Terraces (1), Larger Home Extension Additional Storeys (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	103	88	85.4%
Q4 2023	183	155	84.7%
Q1 2024	181	148	81.8%
Q2 2024	156	134	85.9%
Q3 2024	180	153	85.0%
Q4 2024	189	171	90.5%
Q1 2025	168	145	86.3%
Q2 2025	173	158	91.3%
Q3 2025	164	140	85.4%
Q4 2025	203	185	91.1%
Q1 2026	187	160	85.6%
Q2 2026	15	14	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 5 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 79.1% in Whitefield & Walverden to 91.4% in Marsden & Southfield, a gap of 12.3 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Boulsworth & Foulridge	334	291	43	87.1%
Barrowford & Pendleside	328	281	47	85.7%
Earby & Coates	269	244	25	90.7%
Whitefield & Walverden	182	144	38	79.1%
Bradley	170	149	21	87.6%
Barnoldswick	169	152	17	89.9%
Brierfield West & Reedley	167	149	18	89.2%
Brierfield East & Clover Hill	133	117	16	88.0%
Marsden & Southfield	128	117	11	91.4%
Waterside & Horsfield	122	98	24	80.3%
Fence & Higham	118	105	13	89.0%
Vivary Bridge	103	88	15	85.4%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Pendle?

In the last 12 months, 83.8% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Pendle, based on 130 decided applications. Across all application types, 87.0% of 2,228 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Pendle?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Pendle in the last 12 months was 54 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Pendle?

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 Pendle?

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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