Planning Permission in Chorley
Non-Metropolitan District in North West · Last updated April 2026
Chorley is a market town borough in central Lancashire, combining historic village centres with modern residential development. The borough includes the attractive rural settlements of Eccleston, Croston, and Rivington, alongside the urban centre and extensive Green Belt land protecting the character of the West Pennine Moors.
Planning in Chorley is governed by the Central Lancashire Local Plan (adopted 2012, under review) and the Chorley Local Plan 2012-2026. The borough faces housing delivery challenges with a Housing Delivery Test score of 57%, triggering the presumption in favour of sustainable development for housing proposals.
With 9 conservation areas, 436 listed buildings, and extensive Green Belt, many properties face additional planning constraints. The council's high approval rate of 94.7% reflects a generally positive approach to well-designed development.
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What can I build in Chorley?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Chorley outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (9), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Chorley outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (9), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (9), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Chorley | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Chorley 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 Chorley (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Chorley's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Chorley
Permitted development rights in Chorley follow national rules, but Green Belt restrictions affect a significant proportion of the borough. Properties in conservation areas such as Croston, Eccleston, and Chorley Town Centre face additional controls on external alterations. The council's Householder Design Guidance SPD provides advice on extensions and alterations that respect local character.
What Chorley expects from your project
Design expectations in Chorley reflect the borough's varied character, from Victorian terraced streets to rural villages. Extensions should use materials and proportions that complement the existing property and streetscene. In rural areas, agricultural and barn-style buildings set the context. The council's design guidance emphasises respecting neighbouring amenity and maintaining adequate garden space.
Local Plan: Central Lancashire Local Plan 2012–2026
Chorley Borough is covered by the Central Lancashire Local Plan, a joint plan adopted in July 2012 alongside Preston City Council and South Ribble Borough Council. The plan coordinates growth across the three Central Lancashire authorities, with Chorley's key allocations centred on the Buckshaw Village urban extension and Botany Bay.
Emerging / replacement plan
The three Central Lancashire authorities are jointly preparing a new Local Plan. A Regulation 19 Pre-Submission plan was consulted on in 2024, with submission to the Planning Inspectorate anticipated in 2025.
94.7% approval rate
Chorley approves 94.7% 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 Chorley
9 designated conservation areas
Chorley has 9 conservation areas including the historic villages of Croston (with its medieval village green), Eccleston, and Withnell Fold (a model industrial village). Within these areas, demolition, changes to front elevations, and alterations to boundary walls typically require consent. Local materials — red brick, stone, and slate — are expected in historic settings.
Article 4 directions in Chorley
2 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Chorley
There are 436 listed buildings in Chorley. 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 Chorley's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Chorley received 620 planning applications and decided 584 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 94.7% 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.
Chorley processes around 620 applications per year with an impressive 94.7% approval rate, well above the national average. All major applications are decided within target times, and 99.7% of householder decisions meet the 8-week target. However, the Housing Delivery Test score of 57% means the tilted balance applies to housing decisions.
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 Chorley
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Chorley expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Chorley'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 Chorley
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Chorley delivered 826 homes against a requirement of 1,458 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 57%. This is well below the 75% threshold, which triggers the most significant consequence: the “presumption in favour of sustainable development” (also called the “tilted balance”). This means planning applications for housing should be approved unless the harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. For homeowners, this is a strong signal — Chorley is under considerable pressure to approve housing, making it one of the more favourable environments for residential planning applications in England.
Lawful Development Certificates in Chorley
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Chorley 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.
Chorley decided 299 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 99.7% 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 Chorley
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Chorley'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
Chorley 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 Chorley.
Pre-application advice in Chorley
Chorley offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is £60 (householder). You can typically expect a response within 28 days.
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 →Written assessment against relevant policies. Meetings available for major proposals.
Planning fees and timelines in Chorley
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning application | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Full planning permission | £610 per dwelling | 8-13 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6-8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6-8 weeks |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Prior approval | £120 | 56 days |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | 8 weeks |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | 28 days |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Chorley and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Chorley
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 Chorley is provided by Chorley Council Building Control. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Chorley planning department
Your building project checklist for Chorley
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Chorley has 9 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Chorley has 2 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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