Planiverse / Authorities / West Lancashire

Planning permission in West Lancashire

In the last 12 months, 84.7% of home project applications were approved in West Lancashire (131 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about ten weeks (median 71 days).

Across all application types, 85.0% of 3,069 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on West Lancashire's public planning register. Data last updated: 9 August 2026.

3,937Total applications
3,069Decided
85.0%Approval rate (of decided)
2,609 Approved+460 Refused+183 Withdrawn+351 Pending+334 Outcome not determined=3,937 Total
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By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 1,415 1,179 236
83.3%
Discharging planning conditions 389 320 69
82.3%
Protected tree works (TPO) 360 337 23
93.6%
Tree works in a conservation area 238 238 0 no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 213 213 0 no refusals recorded
Prior approval (permitted development) 137 82 55
59.9%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 91 74 17
81.3%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 64 51 13
79.7%
Listed Building Consent 46 36 10
78.3%
Permission in Principle 35 14 21
40.0%
Advertisement Consent 33 28 5
84.8%
Other* 48 37 11 mixed types

Tree works in a conservation area: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Outline Planning (13), County Application (9), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (6), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (4), Non Material Amendment (s96A) (3), Phone masts and telecoms (3), Modif or Discharge of S106 obligations (2), Change of Use (1), Prior Notification-Extension of dwelling (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 136 116
85.3%
Q4 2023 244 210
86.1%
Q1 2024 261 221
84.7%
Q2 2024 217 183
84.3%
Q3 2024 275 232
84.4%
Q4 2024 269 237
88.1%
Q1 2025 189 162
85.7%
Q2 2025 268 235
87.7%
Q3 2025 262 210
80.2%
Q4 2025 242 193
79.8%
Q1 2026 244 190
77.9%
Q2 2026 59 55
93.2%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress) 9 9 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 136 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 78.6% in Ormskirk West Ward to 90.3% in Burscough Town Ward, a gap of 11.7 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Rural North East Ward 417 365 52
87.5%
Burscough Bridge & Rufford Ward 347 282 65
81.3%
Rural West Ward 303 247 56
81.5%
Aughton & Holborn Ward 289 259 30
89.6%
Rural South Ward 237 194 43
81.9%
Tarleton Village Ward 193 152 41
78.8%
Ormskirk East Ward 187 162 25
86.6%
Up Holland Ward 173 149 24
86.1%
Ormskirk West Ward 126 99 27
78.6%
North Meols & Hesketh Bank Ward 121 105 16
86.8%
Burscough Town Ward 93 84 9
90.3%
Skelmersdale North Ward 64 53 11
82.8%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in West Lancashire?
In the last 12 months, 84.7% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in West Lancashire, based on 131 decided applications. Across all application types, 85.0% of 3,069 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in West Lancashire?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in West Lancashire in the last 12 months was 71 days (about ten weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in West Lancashire?
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 West Lancashire?
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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