Planning Permission in Gedling
Non-Metropolitan District in East Midlands · Last updated April 2026
Gedling is a borough on the north-eastern edge of Nottingham, administered by Gedling Borough Council. The area has 6 conservation areas, 195 listed buildings (6 Grade I), and significant Green Belt coverage. The borough ranges from the urban areas of Arnold and Carlton (effectively Nottingham suburbs) to the rural villages of the Trent Valley and the former Sherwood Forest area.
Planning decisions are guided by the Greater Nottingham Aligned Core Strategy (Part 1, adopted 2014) and the Gedling Local Planning Document Part 2 (adopted July 2018). The major development story is the former Gedling Colliery site, now being transformed into Chase Farm — delivering 1,050 homes, a new Country Park (Gedling Country Park), employment, school, and local centre on a 230-acre brownfield site between Carlton and Burton Joyce.
Newstead Abbey — the ancestral home of Lord Byron, now a museum and Grade I listed building set in 300 acres of gardens and parkland — is the borough's most significant heritage asset. Calverton has the last remaining hosiery framework knitters' workshop (Scheduled Ancient Monument). Bestwood Country Park (650 acres) provides a major green corridor from Nottingham into the countryside. Pre-application advice costs £60 for householder proposals.
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What can I build in Gedling?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Gedling outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (6), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Gedling outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (6), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (6), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas (e.g. CALVERTON C.A., LAMBLEY C.A., BESTWOOD VILLAGE C.A), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Gedling | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Gedling 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 Gedling (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Gedling's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Gedling
Permitted development rights in Gedling are influenced by the Nottingham Green Belt, which covers the borough's northern and eastern areas including land around Calverton, Woodborough, and Lambley. Properties in the Green Belt face stricter limits on extensions. The 6 conservation areas (Bestwood Village, Calverton, Lambley, Linby, Papplewick, and Woodborough) impose restrictions on demolition, cladding, and external alterations. Papplewick conservation area includes the Grade I listed Papplewick Pumping Station (Victorian, 1884) — a working steam-powered water pumping station of exceptional architectural quality.
What Gedling expects from your project
Design in Gedling must respond to the transition from urban Nottingham suburbs to rural villages. The Chase Farm development (former Gedling Colliery, 1,050 homes) has established design codes creating a distinctive new community integrating with the new Country Park. Arnold town centre is undergoing regeneration. The rural villages typically feature red-brick and renders in the Trent Valley, with occasional stone in the northern settlements. Development near Newstead Abbey (Grade I, 300 acres of parkland and lakes) requires particular sensitivity to the heritage setting. Gedling Country Park — created from the restored colliery site — demonstrates successful landscape-led regeneration.
Local Plan: Gedling Borough Council Aligned Core Strategy 2014–2028
Gedling Borough adopted its Aligned Core Strategy in September 2014, forming part of the Greater Nottingham aligned planning framework alongside Nottingham City, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe. A Local Planning Document (site allocations) was also adopted in 2018. The borough includes significant suburban housing areas north-east of Nottingham and the former coalfield communities.
Emerging / replacement plan
Gedling is participating in the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan preparation. A local plan review is also anticipated in 2025–2026.
93.4% approval rate
Gedling approves 93.4% 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 Gedling
6 designated conservation areas
Gedling's 6 conservation areas protect distinctive village characters across the borough. Papplewick is notable for the Grade I listed Pumping Station (1884), described as the finest Victorian waterworks in England. Linby's conservation area features the twin crosses and stream-side cottages. Calverton contains the nationally important Framework Knitters' Workshop (Scheduled Ancient Monument). Bestwood Village conservation area protects the model estate village built by the 10th Duke of St Albans. The borough has 6 Grade I listed buildings, with Newstead Abbey and Papplewick Pumping Station being the most significant.
Article 4 directions in Gedling
1 Article 4 direction area
Listed buildings in Gedling
There are 195 listed buildings in Gedling. 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 Gedling's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Gedling received 506 planning applications and decided 473 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 93.4% 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.
Gedling Borough Council processes approximately 500 applications annually with a high 93.4% approval rate and 100% of major applications determined on time. Housing delivery has exceeded the target at 109%. The Part 2 Local Plan allocates sites for approximately 7,250 homes to 2028, with the largest allocation at Chase Farm (1,050 homes). The Aligned Core Strategy identifies Gedling as part of the Greater Nottingham Housing Market Area. Pre-application advice costs £60 for householder proposals with in-house building control.
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 Gedling
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Gedling expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Gedling'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 Gedling
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Gedling delivered 1,376 homes against a requirement of 1,265 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 109%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Gedling are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Gedling
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Gedling 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.
Gedling decided 309 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 90.6% 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 Gedling
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Gedling'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
Gedling 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 Gedling.
Pre-application advice in Gedling
Gedling offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is £60.
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 →Householder pre-application advice £60 (written response). Minor development £240. Major development by agreement. Response target 21 working days.
Planning fees and timelines in Gedling
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder Planning Permission | £528 | Single dwelling alterations and extensions (from April 2025) |
| Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) | £264 | Confirm whether proposed work is permitted development |
| Lawful Development Certificate (Existing) | £298 | Confirm existing use or development is lawful |
| Listed Building Consent | Free | Required for works affecting character of listed buildings |
| Prior Approval | £120 | Larger home extensions and certain change of use |
| Discharge of Conditions | £145 | Per request to discharge planning conditions |
| Non-Material Amendment | £44 | Minor changes to approved plans |
| Full Planning Permission (new dwelling) | £610 per dwelling | New dwellings up to 50 units (from April 2025) |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Gedling and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Gedling
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 Gedling is provided by Gedling Borough Council (in-house, LABC member). In-house building control service. Applications via Planning Portal or direct to council. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Gedling planning department
Your building project checklist for Gedling
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Gedling has 6 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Gedling 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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