Planning Permission in Herefordshire, County of
Unitary Authority in West Midlands · Last updated April 2026
Herefordshire is a unitary authority in the rural West Midlands, administered by Herefordshire Council. The county has 64 conservation areas, an exceptional 5,928 listed buildings — one of the highest counts in England — and parts of two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (now National Landscapes): the Wye Valley AONB and the Malvern Hills AONB. Hereford Cathedral houses the Mappa Mundi (c.1300) and the world's largest surviving chained library.
The Herefordshire Local Plan Core Strategy was adopted in October 2015, with the Minerals and Waste Local Plan adopted in 2025. The county's growth is focused on Hereford city (the Three Elms SUE for 1,000 homes and the Hereford Enterprise Zone) and the five market towns: Leominster, Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury, Bromyard, and Kington. The proposed Hereford Transport Package (relief road and walking/cycling improvements) is a major infrastructure commitment.
Herefordshire is renowned for its black-and-white timber-framed buildings — the 'Black and White Village Trail' connects 16 historic villages. The county has approximately 340 Grade I listed buildings and the highest density of listed buildings per head of population in England. Hop kilns, cider orchards, and traditional farming buildings are distinctive landscape features. Nearly 100 neighbourhood development plans have been adopted — one of the highest counts of any authority in England.
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What can I build in Herefordshire, County of?
| 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 (64), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Conservation areas (64), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (64), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas (e.g. Almeley, Aylestone Hill, Leominster River Meadows), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Herefordshire, County of outside conservation areas | 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 Herefordshire, County of (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Herefordshire, County of's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Herefordshire, County of
Permitted development rights in Herefordshire are shaped by 64 conservation areas, parts of two AONBs (National Landscapes), and the county's extraordinary concentration of 5,928 listed buildings. Properties within conservation areas face restrictions on demolition, cladding, extensions, and external alterations. In the Wye Valley AONB (the Wye Valley below Hereford is internationally protected) and Malvern Hills AONB, development must give great weight to landscape conservation. Traditional buildings — including the county's distinctive black-and-white timber-framed houses — often require specialist heritage advice before any alterations. Agricultural buildings are prevalent, with many barn conversions requiring planning permission and heritage assessment.
What Herefordshire, County of expects from your project
Design in Herefordshire must respond to one of England's most distinctive vernacular traditions — black-and-white timber framing, local sandstone, and traditional agricultural buildings. The Core Strategy requires development to respect local character, and the county has produced extensive design guidance including conservation area appraisals for all 64 areas. The 'Black and White Village Trail' villages (including Weobley, Pembridge, Eardisland, and Dilwyn) are particularly sensitive. Traditional hop kilns and cider orchards are protected landscape features. New development in Hereford city is guided by master plans for the Three Elms SUE and the Enterprise Zone.
Local Plan: Herefordshire Local Plan Core Strategy
The Herefordshire Local Plan Core Strategy was adopted in October 2015. Herefordshire is a unitary authority covering a largely rural area on the Welsh border. The plan sets policies for Hereford City and a network of market towns and villages.
Emerging / replacement plan
Herefordshire is preparing a new Local Plan. A Regulation 18 consultation ran in 2021-2022, and a Preferred Options consultation took place in 2023. A Regulation 19 Pre-Submission Plan is expected in 2025.
64 conservation areas
Herefordshire, County of 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.
91.9% approval rate
Herefordshire, County of approves 91.9% 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 Herefordshire, County of
64 designated conservation areas
Herefordshire's 64 conservation areas protect an exceptional heritage landscape. Hereford's conservation area centres on the medieval Cathedral Close (housing the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library) and the Old Town. Ross-on-Wye perches dramatically above the River Wye. Ledbury's conservation area features the striking medieval Market Hall (Grade I, 16th century). The county's approximately 340 Grade I listed buildings include Hereford Cathedral, numerous medieval churches with distinctive Herefordshire School of Romanesque sculpture, and the great houses of Croft Castle (National Trust), Berrington Hall (National Trust), and Hampton Court (not to be confused with the London palace).
Article 4 directions in Herefordshire, County of
Article 4 direction data for Herefordshire, County of has not yet been published to the national planning data platform. This does not mean there are no Article 4 directions in this area. Contact Herefordshire, County of's planning department directly or use our free PD checker to check whether your property is affected.
Listed buildings in Herefordshire, County of
There are 5,928 listed buildings in Herefordshire, County of. 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 Herefordshire, County of's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Herefordshire, County of received 1,377 planning applications and decided 1,359 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 91.9% 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.
Herefordshire Council processes approximately 2,500 planning applications annually with an approval rate around 87%. The county's rural character and extraordinary heritage concentration (5,928 listed buildings) mean heritage considerations feature prominently in many applications. Nearly 100 neighbourhood plans have been adopted — one of the highest counts in England — giving communities extensive influence over development. Pre-application advice costs £180 for householder proposals, with specialist heritage advice available for the county's exceptional listed building stock.
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 Herefordshire, County of
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Herefordshire, County of expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Herefordshire, County of'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 Herefordshire, County of
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Herefordshire, County of delivered 2,446 homes against a requirement of 2,217 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 110%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Herefordshire, County of are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Herefordshire, County of
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Herefordshire, County of 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.
Herefordshire, County of decided 497 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 87.5% 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 Herefordshire, County of
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Herefordshire, County of'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
Herefordshire, County of 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
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£49Herefordshire, County of Local Authority Report
Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Herefordshire, County of.
Pre-application advice in Herefordshire, County of
Herefordshire, County of offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is £180.
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?
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Check your PD rights now →Householder pre-application advice £180 (written response). Minor £420, major from £840. Heritage-specific advice available. Written response within 28 working days.
View Herefordshire, County of's pre-application advice page →
Planning fees and timelines in Herefordshire, County of
| 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 any of the 5,928 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 Herefordshire, County of and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Herefordshire, County of
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 Herefordshire, County of is provided by Herefordshire Council (in-house, LABC member). In-house building control covering the entire county. Applications via Planning Portal. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Herefordshire, County of planning department
Your building project checklist for Herefordshire, County of
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Herefordshire, County of has 64 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Check your address for any restrictions.
- 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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