Planning Permission in East Riding of Yorkshire
Unitary Authority in Yorkshire and The Humber · Last updated April 2026
The East Riding of Yorkshire is one of England's largest unitary authorities, stretching from the historic market town of Beverley and the Yorkshire Wolds to the Holderness plain and the dramatic chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head. The area encompasses Bridlington, Goole, Driffield, and the Humber Estuary.
Planning is governed by the East Riding Local Plan (adopted 2016). The authority manages a diverse landscape from the Yorkshire Wolds AONB to the low-lying Holderness coast (one of Europe's fastest-eroding coastlines). Major growth areas include Beverley, Bridlington, and the Humber ports.
With 106 conservation areas, 2,409 listed buildings, and no Green Belt, the East Riding has an exceptionally rich heritage. The chalk-built villages of the Wolds and the brick market towns create a varied architectural character.
Planning a project in East Riding of Yorkshire? Start here.
Enter your address to check your permitted development rights, conservation area status, and Article 4 restrictions specific to East Riding of Yorkshire.
Free check — no account required
What can I build in East Riding of Yorkshire?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones | Properties near boundaries | Conservation areas (106), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Conservation areas (106), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (106), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of East Riding of Yorkshire | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 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 East Riding of Yorkshire (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on East Riding of Yorkshire's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in East Riding of Yorkshire
Permitted development rights follow national rules, but the 106 conservation areas restrict alterations across many of the East Riding's historic towns and villages. Properties in the Yorkshire Wolds AONB have tighter PD limits. Coastal erosion risk zones along the Holderness coast add further constraints, and the council may refuse extensions on properties within the Coastal Change Management Area.
What East Riding of Yorkshire expects from your project
Design expectations reflect the diverse character of the East Riding. In Beverley, the medieval and Georgian context demands high-quality traditional materials. Wolds villages expect local chalk and pantile roofs. Holderness settlements use brick and slate. The council's design guidance emphasises respecting the distinctive character of each settlement, using appropriate local materials and proportions.
Local design guidance
Residential Design Guide (Draft)
Local Plan: East Riding Local Plan
The East Riding Local Plan was adopted in April 2016. It comprises the Strategy Document and the Allocations Document, providing the full policy framework for development in the East Riding. The plan excludes the unitary Hull City Council area.
Emerging / replacement plan
East Riding is preparing a new Local Plan to replace the 2016 plan. A Regulation 18 Issues consultation ran in 2022-2023.
106 conservation areas
East Riding of Yorkshire has a high number of conservation areas. Check whether your property falls within one before starting any work — conservation area status significantly restricts what you can do without planning permission.
11 Article 4 directions
East Riding of Yorkshire has applied Article 4 directions to 11 areas, which remove certain permitted development rights in those zones. Use our free checker to see if your property is affected.
Conservation areas in East Riding of Yorkshire
106 designated conservation areas
The East Riding has 106 conservation areas — one of the highest counts in England — spanning Beverley's medieval core, the Georgian spa town of Bridlington, and dozens of Wolds and Holderness villages. Beverley Minster and the town's medieval street pattern make it one of Yorkshire's finest townscapes. Local materials vary: chalk and cobble in the Wolds, brick on the plain, and distinctive rendered buildings along the coast.
Article 4 directions in East Riding of Yorkshire
11 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in East Riding of Yorkshire
There are 2,409 listed buildings in East Riding of Yorkshire. 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 East Riding of Yorkshire's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
East Riding of Yorkshire received 2,058 planning applications and decided 1,864 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 87.9% 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.
The East Riding processes around 2,058 applications per year with an 87.9% approval rate, above national average. Householder decisions meet target 98.7% of the time, and 98% of minor applications are on time. The Housing Delivery Test score of 272% reflects very strong delivery.
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 East Riding of Yorkshire
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what East Riding of Yorkshire expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on East Riding of Yorkshire'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 East Riding of Yorkshire
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
East Riding of Yorkshire delivered 6,125 homes against a requirement of 2,252 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 272%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in East Riding of Yorkshire are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in East Riding of Yorkshire
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from East Riding of Yorkshire 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.
East Riding of Yorkshire decided 844 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 98.7% 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 East Riding of Yorkshire
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through East Riding of Yorkshire'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
East Riding of Yorkshire 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.
Check your permitted development rights
Find out instantly whether your project in East Riding of Yorkshire needs planning permission.
FROM £39Permitted Development Certificate Report
Get a comprehensive report for your Lawful Development Certificate application.
£49East Riding of Yorkshire Local Authority Report
Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for East Riding of Yorkshire.
Pre-application advice in East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is £75 (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.
Think your project might be permitted development?
Check in 2 minutes with our free tool — no sign-up needed.
Check your PD rights now →Written advice with policy assessment.
View East Riding of Yorkshire's pre-application advice page →
Planning fees and timelines in East Riding of Yorkshire
| 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 East Riding of Yorkshire and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in East Riding of Yorkshire
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 East Riding of Yorkshire is provided by East Riding of Yorkshire Council. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
East Riding of Yorkshire planning department
Your building project checklist for East Riding of Yorkshire
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — East Riding of Yorkshire has 106 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — East Riding of Yorkshire has 11 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
Stay informed about planning in East Riding of Yorkshire
Approval rate updates, Article 4 changes, and local planning tips — straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.