Planning Permission in Chesterfield
Non-Metropolitan District in East Midlands · Last updated April 2026
Chesterfield is a Non-Metropolitan District in Derbyshire in the East Midlands, famous for the Crooked Spire of the Church of St Mary and All Saints — the borough's sole Grade I listed building and one of England's most distinctive landmarks. The borough encompasses the market town of Chesterfield itself along with communities including Staveley, Brimington, Old Whittington, and Barrow Hill. Chesterfield sits at the gateway to the Peak District and has strong transport connections via the Midland Main Line and proximity to the M1 motorway.
Chesterfield's development plan is the Chesterfield Borough Local Plan 2018-2035 (adopted 15 July 2020). The council is preparing a new Local Plan, with a Regulation 19 consultation held in spring 2025 and submission to the Secretary of State for examination expected to follow. The borough has a CIL charging schedule (in force since 1 April 2016) covering residential and retail development. There are 12 conservation areas, 208 listed buildings (1 Grade I, 14 Grade II*, 193 Grade II), and 4 Article 4 directions covering parts of the Town Centre, Abercrombie Street, Barrow Hill, and Upper Newbold Close areas. There are currently no neighbourhood plans in the borough.
Chesterfield is experiencing major regeneration, with a £2 billion investment pipeline expected to deliver 7,800 jobs, 3,900 homes, and £473 million of economic benefit. Key projects include Chesterfield Waterside (£340M mixed-use scheme), Peak Resort (£400M leisure destination opening 2028), town centre improvements, and the Staveley Town Deal (£25M+). The Housing Delivery Test score of 164% (2023 measurement) demonstrates strong housing delivery with no consequences applied.
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What can I build in Chesterfield?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Chesterfield outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (12), Article 4 zones (4), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Chesterfield outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (12), Article 4 zones (4), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (12), Article 4 zones (4), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones | Properties on prominent corners or in Article 4 areas (Town Centre Conservation Area — exterior painting, Abercrombie Street Conservation Area) | Conservation areas (e.g. Abercrombie Street, Barrow Hill, Brimington), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Chesterfield | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings, Article 4 areas |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Chesterfield 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 in Article 4 areas or 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 Chesterfield (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Chesterfield's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Chesterfield
Permitted development rights in Chesterfield follow the national GPDO but are restricted in several important ways. The borough has 4 Article 4 directions in force. Most notably, the Town Centre Conservation Area Article 4(1) direction (approved by the Secretary of State on 7 December 2007) removes PD rights for exterior painting of buildings, requiring planning permission for any exterior decoration in this area. Similar restrictions apply in the Abercrombie Street, Barrow Hill, and Upper Newbold Close/Moorhay Close conservation areas. PD rights are also restricted across all 12 conservation areas for works such as roof extensions, cladding, and satellite dishes. The borough's 208 listed buildings always require listed building consent for alterations affecting their character. Building control is delivered by the Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) on 0333 880 2000.
What Chesterfield expects from your project
Chesterfield's built environment reflects its heritage as an important medieval market town and later industrial centre. The Crooked Spire, twisting 45 degrees with its tip 9ft 6in off centre at 228 feet high, dominates the skyline and is the UK's representative in the Association of Twisted Spires of Europe. The town centre retains its medieval market layout with a Colour Scheme Guide controlling exterior decoration through the Article 4 direction. Surrounding areas show a mix of Victorian terraces, Edwardian suburbs along Chatsworth Road, former colliery villages like Barrow Hill, and modern residential development at Chesterfield Waterside. The borough sits at the gateway to the Peak District, creating a distinctive landscape context where urban development meets the moorland fringe.
Local Plan: Chesterfield Local Plan 2011–2031
Chesterfield Borough adopted its Local Plan in June 2020 following a lengthy examination. The former market town of Chesterfield — known for its crooked spire — is a key regeneration location in north Derbyshire. The plan supports the transformation of Waterside and the Staveley Town Deal area, with major housing and employment growth planned.
Emerging / replacement plan
The Chesterfield Local Plan was recently adopted. The council will monitor delivery and undertake a review at the appropriate stage.
Conservation areas in Chesterfield
12 designated conservation areas
Chesterfield has 12 conservation areas protecting the borough's most important historic environments. The Chesterfield Town Centre conservation area covers the historic market town core, including the Grade I listed Church of St Mary and All Saints (the Crooked Spire). Chatsworth Road protects a distinctive Victorian/Edwardian suburban shopping street. Queens Park covers the Victorian public park and surrounding area. Barrow Hill preserves the character of a former colliery village, home to the Barrow Hill Roundhouse railway museum. Staveley protects the historic core of this settlement with its Town Deal regeneration. Old Whittington includes the Revolution House, where the 1688 Glorious Revolution was planned. Other conservation areas include Abercrombie Street, Brimington, Church Close, Newbold Eyre Chapel, Somersall, and Spencer Street. Within these areas, planning permission is required for many alterations that would normally be permitted development.
Article 4 directions in Chesterfield
4 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Chesterfield
There are 208 listed buildings in Chesterfield. 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 Chesterfield's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Chesterfield received 382 planning applications and decided 326 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 89.6% 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.
Chesterfield's Housing Delivery Test score of 164% (2023 measurement) represents strong performance, with 996 homes delivered against a requirement of 606 over the three-year period. No consequences apply — no action plan required and only the standard 5% buffer applies to five-year housing land supply calculations. The borough has a CIL charging schedule in force since 1 April 2016, with rates updated annually using the national index. CIL applies to all retail developments (A1-A5) of 100m²+ and all new residential development. Relief is available for social housing, self-build housing, and charitable development. There are currently no neighbourhood plans in the borough.
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 Chesterfield
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Chesterfield expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Chesterfield'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 Chesterfield
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Chesterfield delivered 996 homes against a requirement of 606 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 164%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Chesterfield are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Chesterfield
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Chesterfield 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.
Chesterfield decided 150 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 81.3% 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 Chesterfield
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Chesterfield'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
Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield.
Pre-application advice in Chesterfield
Chesterfield offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is £48.97 + VAT (£58.76 total) for householder written advice. Meetings not available for householder enquiries.. You can typically expect a response within 6 weeks (target).
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.
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Check your PD rights now →Pre-application requests must be submitted by email to planning@chesterfield.gov.uk or by post. Fees are non-refundable and do not contribute towards the cost of a full planning application. Tiered fees apply for different development types.
Planning fees and timelines in Chesterfield
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning permission | £528 | 8-week determination target. Most common application type for home improvements. |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | Confirms proposed works are permitted development. Recommended before starting work in conservation areas. |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | Confirms existing works or use are lawful. |
| Listed building consent | Free | Required for any works affecting a listed building. Chesterfield has 208 listed buildings including the Grade I Crooked Spire. |
| Prior approval (larger home extension) | £120 | For single-storey rear extensions up to 6m (semi/terrace) or 8m (detached). 42-day determination period. |
| Discharge of conditions (householder) | £145 | Required before commencing work subject to planning conditions. |
| Non-material amendment (householder) | £44 | For minor changes to an approved scheme that do not materially alter the development. |
| Pre-application advice (householder) | £58.76 (inc. VAT) | Written response within 6 weeks. Meetings not available for householder proposals. |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Chesterfield and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Chesterfield
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 Chesterfield is provided by Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP). Building control is delivered by the Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP), a shared service formed in 2017 by eight Derbyshire local authorities including Chesterfield. You can also appoint a private Registered Building Control Approver. DBCP covers building regulations, regularisations, demolitions, dangerous structures, and street naming and numbering. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Office hours Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm. Contact DBCP for a quote. The North area team (covering Chesterfield, Bolsover, North East Derbyshire, High Peak) is managed by Stuart Franklin.
Chesterfield planning department
Your building project checklist for Chesterfield
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Chesterfield has 12 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Chesterfield has 4 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.
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