Planning Permission in Barrow-in-Furness
Local Planning Authority in England · Last updated April 2026
Barrow-in-Furness was replaced by Westmorland and Furness in 2023 as part of local government reorganisation. Planning applications in this area are now handled by Westmorland and Furness.
View Westmorland and Furness planning authority pageBarrow-in-Furness is a borough on the Furness Peninsula in Cumbria, now administered by Westmorland and Furness Council (formed April 2023). The borough is almost entirely surrounded by water — Morecambe Bay to the south and east, the Duddon Estuary to the north, and the Irish Sea to the west via Walney Island. Barrow is home to BAE Systems Submarines, the sole builder of the UK's nuclear submarines, making it one of the most strategically important industrial sites in the country. The borough has 11 conservation areas and 271 listed buildings (8 Grade I), including the magnificent ruins of Furness Abbey and Piel Castle.
Planning is governed by the Barrow Borough Local Plan 2016-2031 (adopted June 2019), which remains in force as a legacy plan. Westmorland and Furness Council is preparing a new single Local Plan covering the whole council area. The borough has no Green Belt, no AONB, and no CIL — developer contributions are secured through Section 106 agreements. One Article 4 direction applies in the Market Place Conservation Area, Dalton-in-Furness, restricting frontage alterations.
The borough is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by BAE Systems' submarine programmes, with over £200 million of government investment committed through the Team Barrow partnership. The Marina Village regeneration will deliver 808+ new homes, and £40+ million in Town Deal and Levelling Up funding is transforming the town centre. Pre-application advice costs £157 for householder proposals, with a response target of 6 weeks.
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What can I build in Barrow-in-Furness?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Barrow-in-Furness | Properties near boundaries | Article 4 zones (1), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Barrow-in-Furness, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Article 4 zones (1), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Article 4 zones (1), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones | Properties on prominent corners or in Article 4 areas (Market Place Conservation Area, Dalton-in-Furness) | listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Barrow-in-Furness | Front-facing rooflights | Listed buildings, Article 4 areas |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Barrow-in-Furness, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | listed buildings |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties in Article 4 areas or near highway boundary | listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Listed buildings with curtilage restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of Barrow-in-Furness (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Barrow-in-Furness's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Barrow-in-Furness
Permitted development rights in Barrow-in-Furness follow the national GPDO with restrictions in 11 conservation areas. Properties within conservation areas such as Central Barrow, Barrow Island, Furness Abbey, and the North and South Vickerstown model villages have reduced PD rights for extensions, roof alterations, and boundary treatments. In the Market Place Conservation Area, Dalton-in-Furness, an Article 4(2) Direction removes additional PD rights for frontage alterations to dwelling houses — planning permission is required for works that would normally be PD. The Victorian planned layout of central Barrow, with its grid pattern along Duke Street and Abbey Road, creates a distinctive character that the council seeks to preserve. There is no Green Belt or AONB to restrict development, but coastal areas and the proximity of SSSIs (Duddon Estuary, Morecambe Bay, South Walney) may require ecological assessment.
What Barrow-in-Furness expects from your project
Design in Barrow reflects the borough's unique character as one of England's great Victorian planned towns, laid out on a grid pattern with Abbey Road (north-south) and Duke Street (east-west) as principal thoroughfares. The Barrow Borough Local Plan (2019) sets design policies that respect this planned heritage while accommodating major growth driven by BAE Systems' submarine programmes. The Team Barrow partnership (central government, Westmorland and Furness Council, and BAE Systems) is delivering over £200 million of investment over 10 years. Key design considerations include the scale and character of BAE Systems' industrial operations, Marina Village waterfront housing (808+ homes), and the need to attract and retain the growing submarine workforce. The Dock Museum and Furness Abbey provide important cultural and heritage anchors.
Local Plan: Barrow Borough Local Plan 2013–2028
Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council adopted its Local Plan in May 2016. The peninsula borough on the southern tip of Cumbria is dominated by the BAE Systems submarine shipyard, one of the most strategically important defence manufacturing sites in the UK. Barrow was dissolved in April 2023 and merged into the new Westmorland and Furness unitary authority.
Emerging / replacement plan
Westmorland and Furness Council (formed April 2023, incorporating Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland) is preparing a new Local Plan. Regulation 18 consultation is anticipated in 2025–2026.
Article 4 directions in Barrow-in-Furness
1 Article 4 direction area
Listed buildings in Barrow-in-Furness
There are 271 listed buildings in Barrow-in-Furness. 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 Barrow-in-Furness's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Lawful Development Certificates in Barrow-in-Furness
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Barrow-in-Furness 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.
How to apply for an LDC in Barrow-in-Furness
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Barrow-in-Furness'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
Barrow-in-Furness 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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£49Barrow-in-Furness Local Authority Report
Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Barrow-in-Furness.
Pre-application advice in Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is £157 inc VAT for householder (includes one site visit and one letter). Heritage assets also £157. Minor development from £352; major from £886. Strategic from £1,330.. You can typically expect a response within Contact within 10 days of receipt. Written advice within 6 weeks of acknowledgement..
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 →Planning Performance Agreements available for complex proposals. The council strongly encourages pre-application engagement.
Planning fees and timelines in Barrow-in-Furness
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning permission | £528 | 8-week determination target |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6–8 weeks typical |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6–8 weeks typical |
| Listed building consent | £0 | Free — 8-week target. 271 listed buildings including Furness Abbey (Grade I) |
| Full planning permission (non-householder) | £528 | Varies by scale. 8 weeks (minor) or 13 weeks (major) |
| Prior approval (larger home extension) | £120 | 42-day determination period |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 | Per request. 8-week target |
| Non-material amendment (NMA) | £44 | 28-day determination target |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Barrow-in-Furness and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Barrow-in-Furness
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 Barrow-in-Furness is provided by Westmorland and Furness Council Building Control (Barrow). In-house local authority building control service. Part of the national LABC network. You can also use a private Registered Building Control Approver. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Barrow-in-Furness planning department
Your building project checklist for Barrow-in-Furness
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Use our free checker to find out.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Barrow-in-Furness has 1 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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