Planning Permission in Ashfield
Non-Metropolitan District in East Midlands · Last updated April 2026
Ashfield is a district in Nottinghamshire centred on three main towns — Sutton-in-Ashfield, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, and Hucknall — administered by Ashfield District Council. The area has 6 conservation areas, 84 listed buildings, and parts of the district (particularly around Hucknall) fall within the Nottingham-Derby Green Belt. The district has a rich mining heritage, with former colliery sites now being redeveloped for housing and community use.
The Ashfield Local Plan 2023-2040 was submitted for examination in April 2024, with hearings beginning in November 2024. The current adopted plan remains the Ashfield Local Plan Review 2002 with saved policies. Over £100 million of investment is flowing into the district through Towns Fund allocations (£62.6 million), delivering projects including the Automated Distribution Centre, health hubs, sports facilities, and Kings Mill Reservoir leisure improvements.
Two neighbourhood plans have been adopted — JUS-t (Jacksdale, Underwood and Selston) and Teversal, Stanton Hill and Skegby. Hucknall is the northern terminus of the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram system, and the Robin Hood Line railway runs through the district connecting former colliery communities. Pre-application advice costs just £60 for householder proposals (offset against the subsequent application fee), making it one of the most affordable in the East Midlands.
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What can I build in Ashfield?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Ashfield outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (6), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Ashfield outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (6), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (6), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas (e.g. Annesley, Kirkby Cross, Lower Bagthorpe), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Ashfield | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Ashfield outside protected zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings, Green Belt |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of Ashfield (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Ashfield's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Ashfield
Permitted development rights in Ashfield are influenced by Green Belt designations in the south (around Hucknall) and 6 conservation areas. Properties in the Green Belt face stricter limits on extensions — additions must not result in disproportionate additions to the original dwelling. The 6 conservation areas (Annesley, Kirkby Cross, Lower Bagthorpe, Teversal, Sutton in Ashfield Church and Market Place, and Hucknall Town Centre) impose restrictions on demolition, cladding, and external alterations. Listed buildings (84 across the district, including Annesley Hall Grade II*) always require listed building consent.
What Ashfield expects from your project
Ashfield's design context reflects its dual character — historic village and market town cores alongside former colliery communities. The area's mining heritage is being reimagined through regeneration projects including former colliery site housing developments. The £62.6 million Towns Fund investment is transforming Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield, with projects including the Kings Mill Reservoir leisure facility and Sherwood Observatory planetarium. Hucknall benefits from its NET tram terminus, encouraging transit-oriented development. New development must be sensitive to Green Belt boundaries in the south and conservation area character throughout.
Local Plan: Ashfield Local Plan Review 2014–2023
Ashfield District adopted its Local Plan Review in December 2016, with its plan period now largely expired. The former mining district in central Nottinghamshire is centred on Kirkby in Ashfield, Hucknall and Sutton in Ashfield. The plan has focused on economic diversification following the closure of the local collieries.
Emerging / replacement plan
Ashfield is preparing a new Local Plan 2023–2038. A Regulation 19 Pre-Submission plan was consulted on in 2023–2024, with submission to the Planning Inspectorate anticipated in 2025.
Conservation areas in Ashfield
6 designated conservation areas
Ashfield's 6 conservation areas reflect the area's diverse heritage. Teversal (designated 1970) is the oldest, preserving a small village with medieval church and connections to D.H. Lawrence's literary landscape. Annesley's conservation area protects the setting of Annesley Hall (Grade II*, 13th-century origins, Lord Byron's connection to Mary Chaworth). Kirkby Cross and Lower Bagthorpe (both 1975) protect historic settlement cores. Sutton in Ashfield Church and Market Place was designated in 2015 to protect the town's medieval heart. The newest, Hucknall Town Centre, recognises the town's market place heritage and connection to Lord Byron (buried at St Mary Magdalene Church).
Article 4 directions in Ashfield
10 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Ashfield
There are 84 listed buildings in Ashfield. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with Ashfield's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Ashfield received 420 planning applications and decided 376 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 83.8% is below the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
Ashfield District Council processes approximately 420 planning applications annually, with around 84% approval rate and 86% of householder applications determined within 8 weeks. The emerging Local Plan (2023-2040) allocates a minimum of 7,582 new dwellings. Housing delivery has been below target at 86% (2023), triggering an action plan requirement. Building control is provided through a shared service partnership led by Erewash Borough Council (covering Ashfield, Broxtowe, Erewash, and Mansfield). Pre-application advice at £60 for householder proposals is highly competitive.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Recent planning applications in Ashfield
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Ashfield expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Ashfield's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Housing delivery in Ashfield
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Ashfield delivered 1,071 homes against a requirement of 1,244 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 86%. This is below the 95% threshold, which means Ashfield must publish an action plan setting out how it intends to increase housing delivery. For homeowners, this is a positive signal — the council is under pressure to approve more housing, which can make planning officers more receptive to well-designed residential applications and extensions that add living space.
Lawful Development Certificates in Ashfield
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Ashfield that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
Ashfield decided 176 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 86.4% is below the national average of 93%, so LDC applications may take longer than the 8-week target. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Ashfield
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Ashfield's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
Ashfield must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Ashfield.
Pre-application advice in Ashfield
Ashfield offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is £60.
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
Think your project might be permitted development?
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Check your PD rights now →Householder £60 inc. VAT (offset against subsequent application fee). Minor £225, other minor £525, small scale major £972. Response target 28 working days.
Planning fees and timelines in Ashfield
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder Planning Permission | £528 | Single dwelling alterations and extensions (from April 2025) |
| Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) | £264 | Confirm whether proposed work is permitted development |
| Lawful Development Certificate (Existing) | £298 | Confirm existing use or development is lawful |
| Listed Building Consent | Free | Required for works affecting character of listed buildings |
| Prior Approval | £120 | Larger home extensions and certain change of use |
| Discharge of Conditions | £145 | Per request to discharge planning conditions |
| Non-Material Amendment | £44 | Minor changes to approved plans |
| Full Planning Permission (new dwelling) | £610 per dwelling | New dwellings up to 50 units (from April 2025) |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Ashfield and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Ashfield
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in Ashfield is provided by Erewash Borough Council (shared service partnership). Outsourced to Erewash BC under a 4-council partnership (Erewash, Ashfield, Broxtowe, Mansfield). Duty officer hours 8am-10am and 2pm-4:30pm. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Ashfield planning department
Your building project checklist for Ashfield
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Ashfield has 6 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Ashfield has 10 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
Nearby planning authorities
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