Planning Permission in Melton
Non-Metropolitan District in East Midlands · Last updated April 2026
Melton is a predominantly rural borough in north-east Leicestershire, centred on the historic market town of Melton Mowbray — famous for its pork pies and Stilton cheese. The borough extends across the Vale of Belvoir to the north and rolling Wolds to the east, encompassing 45 conservation areas and hundreds of listed buildings including the Grade I Belvoir Castle. With 14 adopted neighbourhood plans, local communities have a strong voice in planning decisions across the borough.
Major investment is transforming Melton Mowbray, with the North and East Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (NEMMDR) — a 7.1km bypass — due to open in spring 2026. Two Sustainable Urban Extensions will deliver over 3,700 new homes around the town. If you are planning works to your property, pre-application advice is available from the council, with responses within 6-8 weeks.
Melton Borough Council uses the Leicestershire Building Control Partnership (LBCP) for building regulations. The borough has no Green Belt and no Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Our free planning search tool can help you check the planning history and constraints for any property in the borough.
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What can I build in Melton?
| 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 (45), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Conservation areas (45), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (45), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas (e.g. Ab Kettleby, Asfordby, Ashby Folville), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Melton 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 Melton (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Melton's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Melton
Standard permitted development rights apply to most residential properties in Melton, allowing extensions, loft conversions, and outbuildings without full planning permission. The borough has no Article 4 directions currently in force. However, with 45 conservation areas covering much of the borough's rural settlements, many properties face additional restrictions on external alterations, cladding, satellite dishes, and demolition. Fourteen neighbourhood plans may also contain local design policies relevant to permitted development in specific parishes.
What Melton expects from your project
Design quality in Melton is shaped by the adopted Local Plan (2018) and the borough's strong rural character. In Melton Mowbray, the two Sustainable Urban Extensions (North ~1,700 homes and South ~2,000 homes) have adopted masterplans setting design standards for new development. The NEMMDR distributor road will reshape access patterns when it opens in spring 2026. In the rural villages, new development is expected to use traditional Leicestershire materials — including ironstone, limestone, and local brick — and to respect the scale and character of existing settlements. The 14 neighbourhood plans often contain detailed local design guidance.
Local Plan: Melton Local Plan 2011–2036
Melton Borough adopted its Local Plan in October 2018. The rural Leicestershire district is centred on Melton Mowbray, famous for its pork pies and Stilton cheese. The plan provides for a new food enterprise zone and housing growth at Melton, with protective policies for the Vale of Belvoir and the Leicestershire Wolds.
Emerging / replacement plan
Melton is monitoring the Local Plan and will review it at the appropriate stage. The district works within the Leicestershire-wide strategic planning context.
45 conservation areas
Melton 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.
96% approval rate
Melton approves 96% 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 Melton
45 designated conservation areas
Melton's 45 conservation areas reflect the rich heritage of this rural borough, from the medieval market town centre of Melton Mowbray to the estate villages of the Vale of Belvoir. The Belvoir Castle conservation area — one of the largest in the borough — surrounds the Grade I listed castle, seat of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland. Other notable heritage assets include Stapleford Park with gardens landscaped by Capability Brown, and the medieval remains at Burton Lazars. Any works to a listed building require listed building consent, and within conservation areas, demolition and significant external alterations require planning permission.
Article 4 directions in Melton
1 Article 4 direction area
Listed buildings in Melton
There are 717 listed buildings in Melton. 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 Melton's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Melton received 316 planning applications and decided 274 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 96% 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.
Melton Borough Council's Housing Delivery Test score of 187% demonstrates strong housing delivery, well above the 95% threshold. No additional consequences apply, and standard planning policies carry full weight. The borough has no Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) — developer contributions are secured through Section 106 agreements. The council's Local Plan partial update is at the Regulation 19 stage, with submission for examination expected in 2025. A local government reorganisation could see Melton become part of a North Leicestershire unitary authority.
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 Melton
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Melton expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Melton'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 Melton
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Melton delivered 1,021 homes against a requirement of 545 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 187%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Melton are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Melton
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Melton 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.
Melton decided 112 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 79.5% 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 Melton
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Melton'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
Melton 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 Melton.
Pre-application advice in Melton
Melton offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is Varies by proposal type — see council fee schedule.
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 →Response within 6-8 weeks. Fees updated from April 2025. Both written-only and meeting options available.
Planning fees and timelines in Melton
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder application | £528 | Single dwelling alterations/extensions (from April 2025) |
| LDC (proposed) | £264 | Confirm proposed works are lawful |
| LDC (existing) | £298 | Confirm existing works/use is lawful |
| Listed building consent | £0 | No fee for listed building consent applications |
| Prior approval | £120 | Larger home extensions, outbuildings etc. |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 | Per condition, per request |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | Minor change to approved householder scheme |
| Pre-application advice | Varies | See council fee schedule; 6-8 week response |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Melton and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Melton
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 Melton is provided by Leicestershire Building Control Partnership. Shared service covering Melton and five other Leicestershire authorities. Private approved inspectors can also be used. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Melton planning department
Your building project checklist for Melton
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Melton has 45 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Melton 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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