Planning permission in Wirral

In the last 12 months, 92.6% of home project applications were approved in Wirral (95 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work.

Across all application types, 86.5% of 2,913 applications decided since May 2023 were approved. Based on Wirral's public planning register. Data last updated: 7 May 2026.

3,684Total applications

2,913Decided

86.5%Approval rate (of decided)

2,521 Approved+392 Refused+131 Withdrawn+0 Pending+640 Outcome not determined=3,684 Total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)	1,442	1,276	166	88.5%
Full planning applications	542	425	117	78.4%
Discharging planning conditions	339	331	8	97.6%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	147	118	29	80.3%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	119	111	8	93.3%
Advertisement Consent	108	97	11	89.8%
Listed Building Consent	81	73	8	90.1%
Prior Approval Retail to residential PD	27	19	8	70.4%
Other*	108	71	37	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Phone masts and telecoms (14), Prior Approval Solar PV roof non-domestic (14), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (11), Prior Notification of Demolition (11), Work for Council by Council (10), Permission in Principle (9), Outline Planning (8), Prior approval (permitted development) (6), Prior Approval Agricul to residential PD (6), Work for Council by outside body (5), Screening for EIA (3), Prior Approval Commercial PD (3), Prior Approval to school/nursery PD (3), Prior Approval Householder (Other) (2), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (1), Prior Approval Temp Film Making (1), Prior Approval Part 18 Class A (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	15	14	sample too small
Q4 2023	21	20	95.2%
Q1 2024	109	94	86.2%
Q2 2024	81	64	79.0%
Q3 2024	88	74	84.1%
Q4 2024	79	66	83.5%
Q1 2025	65	58	89.2%
Q2 2025	125	104	83.2%
Q3 2025	97	86	88.7%
Q4 2025	54	48	88.9%
Q1 2026	38	34	89.5%
Q2 2026	31	27	87.1%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 292 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 80.6% in Greasby, Frankby and Irby to 95.0% in Bromborough, a gap of 14.4 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Heswall	338	295	43	87.3%
West Kirby and Thurstaston	252	218	34	86.5%
Bromborough	222	211	11	95.0%
Hoylake and Meols	217	180	37	82.9%
Clatterbridge	178	157	21	88.2%
Birkenhead & Tranmere	163	142	21	87.1%
Greasby, Frankby and Irby	160	129	31	80.6%
Pensby and Thingwall	130	121	9	93.1%
Bebington	121	106	15	87.6%
Oxton	106	91	15	85.8%
Moreton West and Saughall Massie	100	85	15	85.0%
Leasowe and Moreton East	99	89	10	89.9%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Wirral?

In the last 12 months, 92.6% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Wirral, based on 95 decided applications. Across all application types, 86.5% of 2,913 applications decided since May 2023 were approved.

Do I need planning permission in Wirral?

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 Wirral?

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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