Planning Permission in Blaby
Non-Metropolitan District in East Midlands · Last updated April 2026
Blaby is a district in south Leicestershire comprising a mix of suburban settlements on the edge of Leicester and quieter rural villages further south. The district includes the established towns of Narborough, Enderby, and Whetstone, alongside newer residential developments at places like New Lubbesthorpe — one of the largest planned settlements in the East Midlands. With 12 conservation areas and 196 listed buildings, planning rules vary significantly depending on where your property sits within the district.
If you are considering extending your home, converting a loft, or building an outbuilding in Blaby, you may benefit from permitted development rights — though these can be restricted in conservation areas. The council's pre-application advice service is currently suspended, so applicants looking for guidance on more complex proposals may need to consult a private planning professional before submitting a formal planning application.
Blaby District Council typically determines around 510 planning applications each year, with an approval rate of 92.2%. Householder applications — the most common type for residential extensions — have a 93.5% on-time decision rate. The council operates through Leicestershire Building Control Partnership for building regulations matters, sharing the service with several neighbouring authorities. Use our free planning search tool to check the planning history and constraints affecting your property.
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What can I build in Blaby?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Blaby outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries | Conservation areas (12), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Blaby outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Conservation areas (12), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (12), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas (e.g. Grand Union Canal, Aston Flamville, Blaby), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Blaby | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Blaby outside protected zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings |
| 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 Blaby (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Blaby's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Blaby
Most residential properties in Blaby benefit from standard permitted development rights, allowing extensions, loft conversions, and outbuildings without full planning permission — subject to size, height, and positioning limits set out in national regulations. However, the district has no Article 4 directions currently in force, though one was proposed for the recently designated Braunstone Village Conservation Area in March 2025. Properties in any of Blaby's 12 conservation areas face additional restrictions under conservation area rules, including controls on demolition, cladding, and satellite dishes. It is always advisable to check your property's constraints using the council's planning search before starting any works.
What Blaby expects from your project
Blaby District Council's design expectations are shaped by the adopted Local Plan and supplementary planning documents. New development in the district's urban fringe — particularly around Enderby, Narborough, and the New Lubbesthorpe strategic development area — must demonstrate high-quality design that responds to local character. New Lubbesthorpe, which will ultimately provide around 4,250 homes, sets a benchmark for design quality in the district with its emphasis on green infrastructure, walkability, and community facilities. Householder applications are expected to use materials that match the existing dwelling and to respect the scale and proportions of surrounding properties. In rural settlements like Sapcote, Stoney Stanton, and Elmesthorpe, proposals should reflect the village character and avoid urbanising the streetscape.
Local Plan: Blaby District Local Plan (Core Strategy)
Blaby District adopted its Core Strategy in February 2013. The district wraps around the south and west of Leicester, with significant commuter housing demand. The plan supports growth at Enderby, Whetstone and Blaby, with major employment allocations at the MIRA Technology Park at Watling Street.
Emerging / replacement plan
Blaby is preparing a new Local Plan. A Regulation 19 Pre-Submission plan was consulted on in 2023, with submission to the Planning Inspectorate anticipated in 2025.
92.2% approval rate
Blaby approves 92.2% of planning applications, above the national average of 86.9%. Well-designed residential applications in this area tend to have a good chance of success.
Conservation areas in Blaby
12 designated conservation areas
Blaby's 12 conservation areas include Enderby, Glenfield, Cosby, Countesthorpe, and the recently designated Braunstone Village (September 2024). Each area has its own character appraisal which outlines the features the council considers important to preserve. Within these areas, permitted development rights are more limited — for example, cladding, satellite dishes, and roof alterations may require planning permission. Demolition of buildings within a conservation area generally requires consent, and new development is expected to preserve or enhance the area's character. The district also has 196 listed buildings, including 3 at Grade I, where any alterations — internal or external — require listed building consent.
Article 4 directions in Blaby
1 Article 4 direction area
Listed buildings in Blaby
There are 196 listed buildings in Blaby. 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 Blaby's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Blaby received 523 planning applications and decided 510 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 92.2% is above 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.
Blaby District Council processes approximately 523 planning applications annually, with a strong approval rate of 92.2%. The council's delegation rate of 95.5% means nearly all decisions are made by planning officers under delegated authority rather than going to committee. Householder applications make up a significant proportion of the workload, with 322 decisions per year and a 93.5% on-time determination rate. The district's Housing Delivery Test score of 97% means no additional consequences apply — the standard planning policies are given full weight. The council is not subject to a Green Belt designation, which means development proposals are assessed against standard planning policies without the additional Green Belt tests.
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 Blaby
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Blaby expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Blaby'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 Blaby
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Blaby delivered 874 homes against a requirement of 900 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 97%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Blaby are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Blaby
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Blaby 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.
Blaby decided 322 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 93.5% is above the national average of 93%, which suggests LDC applications are likely to be processed on time. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Blaby
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Blaby'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
Blaby 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 Blaby.
Pre-application advice in Blaby
Blaby does not currently advertise a formal pre-application advice service for householder projects. Contact their planning department directly to check if informal advice is available.
Planning fees and timelines in Blaby
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder application | £528 | Single dwelling alterations/extensions (from April 2025) |
| LDC (proposed) | £264 | Confirm proposed works are lawful |
| LDC (existing) | £298 | Confirm existing works/use is lawful |
| Listed building consent | £0 | No fee for listed building consent applications |
| Prior approval | £120 | Larger home extensions, outbuildings etc. |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 | Per condition, per request |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | Minor change to approved householder scheme |
| Pre-application advice | Suspended | Service currently unavailable — check council website |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Blaby and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Blaby
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 Blaby is provided by Leicestershire Building Control Partnership. Shared service covering Blaby, Hinckley & Bosworth, Harborough, Melton, Oadby & Wigston, and NW Leicestershire. Private approved inspectors can also be used. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Blaby planning department
Your building project checklist for Blaby
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Blaby has 12 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Blaby 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 — contact Blaby's planning department.
- 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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