Planning Permission in North Tyneside
Metropolitan District in North East · Last updated April 2026
North Tyneside is a metropolitan borough on the north bank of the River Tyne, stretching from Wallsend in the east to the North Sea coast at Tynemouth, Cullercoats, and Whitley Bay. With a population of approximately 210,000, the borough has a rich maritime and industrial heritage — Tynemouth Priory and Castle is a major scheduled monument, and Segedunum Roman Fort at Wallsend marks the eastern terminus of Hadrian's Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Planning in North Tyneside is guided by the North Tyneside Local Plan 2017-2032, adopted on 20 July 2017. A new Local Plan is in preparation, with Regulation 18 consultation in late 2025 and adoption expected in 2027/28. The council charges a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) with zoned rates for residential development ranging from £0 to approximately £85/m² depending on location (2025 indexed rates). Key supplementary planning documents include the Design Quality SPD and masterplans for strategic housing sites at Killingworth Moor and Murton Gap.
The borough has 17 conservation areas, 222 listed buildings, and 7 Article 4 directions — six protecting conservation area character and one restricting telecommunications masts. The Spanish City at Whitley Bay, a Grade II listed Edwardian entertainment venue, was restored with Heritage Lottery Fund support and reopened in 2018. North Tyneside has significant ongoing regeneration programmes including Ambition for North Shields, Ambition for Wallsend, and the Whitley Bay Seafront Master Plan.
Planning a project in North Tyneside? Start here.
Enter your address to check your permitted development rights, conservation area status, and Article 4 restrictions specific to North Tyneside.
Free check — no account required
What can I build in North Tyneside?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of North Tyneside outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (17), Article 4 zones (7), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of North Tyneside outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (17), Article 4 zones (7), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (17), Article 4 zones (7), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones | Properties on prominent corners or in Article 4 areas (Tynemouth Village, Sacred Heart Church, Wideopen) | Conservation areas (e.g. Longbenton, Benton, Killingworth), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of North Tyneside outside conservation areas | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings, Article 4 areas |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of North Tyneside 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 in Article 4 areas or 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 North Tyneside (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on North Tyneside's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in North Tyneside
Permitted development rights in North Tyneside follow national rules, with modifications in six conservation areas where Article 4 directions remove householder permitted development rights. In Tynemouth Village, Sacred Heart, Spanish Battery, New Quay, Preston Park, and Chirton Dene Quays, planning permission is needed for extensions, porches, hardstanding, and roof alterations that would normally be permitted development. There is no HMO Article 4 direction in North Tyneside, so conversions from C3 dwelling houses to C4 small HMOs remain permitted development throughout the borough. An additional Article 4 direction at Addington Drive restricts telecommunications mast installation. The council's Design Quality SPD (adopted May 2018) provides detailed guidance on design expectations for all development.
What North Tyneside expects from your project
North Tyneside's Design Quality SPD sets expectations for good design across the borough. The council's regeneration programmes are reshaping several key areas: Ambition for North Shields focuses on creating a smaller, more vibrant town centre connected to the historic Fish Quay; Ambition for Wallsend prioritises housing quality improvement and town centre enhancement; and the Whitley Bay Seafront Master Plan (a £36 million programme) has transformed the coastal frontage. Strategic housing allocations at Killingworth Moor (approximately 2,000 homes) and Murton Gap are guided by adopted masterplan SPDs. The council expects development to respond to the distinctive character of each area, with particular sensitivity required near the Hadrian's Wall WHS buffer zone and within conservation areas.
Local Plan: North Tyneside Local Plan 2017–2032
North Tyneside adopted its Local Plan in June 2017. The plan supports significant housing and employment growth, including the Murton Gap strategic development location and regeneration in North Shields and Wallsend. The authority is one of the Tyne and Wear metropolitan boroughs operating within the North East Combined Authority spatial planning framework.
Emerging / replacement plan
North Tyneside is preparing a new Local Plan to succeed the 2017 plan. Issues and Options consultation is anticipated in 2025–2026.
95.6% approval rate
North Tyneside approves 95.6% 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 North Tyneside
17 designated conservation areas
North Tyneside's 17 conservation areas protect a diverse range of heritage settings, from the dramatic coastal headland at Tynemouth Village to the industrial heritage of Fish Quay at North Shields and the Victorian resort character of Cullercoats. The borough has 222 listed buildings including 2 at Grade I and 10 at Grade II*. Segedunum Roman Fort is part of the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site, and the borough contains 8 scheduled ancient monuments. St Mary's Island and Lighthouse is a distinctive local landmark and conservation area. Six of the 17 conservation areas have Article 4 directions providing additional control over alterations to dwelling houses. Each conservation area (except Backworth) has a published character appraisal to guide development decisions.
Article 4 directions in North Tyneside
7 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in North Tyneside
There are 222 listed buildings in North Tyneside. 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 North Tyneside's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
North Tyneside received 685 planning applications and decided 687 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 95.6% 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.
North Tyneside approved 95.6% of planning applications in the year ending September 2025 based on 687 decisions — one of the higher approval rates among metropolitan boroughs. Performance on speed is exceptional: 100% of major applications and 99.5% of minor applications were decided within statutory or agreed timeframes, with 99.3% of householder applications on time. The council has a delegation rate of 98.7%. However, North Tyneside's Housing Delivery Test result of 76% (1,587 homes delivered against a requirement of 2,092 for 2023) means a 20% buffer applies to the five-year housing land supply. The council received 685 applications during this period.
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 North Tyneside
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what North Tyneside expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on North Tyneside'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 North Tyneside
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
North Tyneside delivered 1,587 homes against a requirement of 2,092 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 76%. This is below the 85% threshold, which means North Tyneside must apply a 20% buffer when calculating its five-year housing land supply. This makes it harder for the council to demonstrate it has enough land allocated for housing, and if it cannot, planning policy carries less weight and the balance shifts in favour of granting permission. For homeowners, this can mean a more favourable climate for planning applications that involve new dwellings, such as building in your garden or converting outbuildings.
Lawful Development Certificates in North Tyneside
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from North Tyneside 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.
North Tyneside decided 429 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 99.3% 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 North Tyneside
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through North Tyneside'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
North Tyneside 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 North Tyneside needs planning permission.
FROM £39Permitted Development Certificate Report
Get a comprehensive report for your Lawful Development Certificate application.
£49North Tyneside Local Authority Report
Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for North Tyneside.
Pre-application advice in North Tyneside
North Tyneside offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is Charged — contact council for current fee schedule. You can typically expect a response within Contact council for current turnaround times.
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 →Online submission. The pre-application service should not be used to determine whether planning permission is required — use a Certificate of Lawful Development for that instead.
Planning fees and timelines in North Tyneside
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning permission | £528 | Alterations and extensions to a single dwelling including works within the garden |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | Confirms whether proposed works can be carried out under permitted development |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | Certifies that an existing use or development is lawful |
| Listed building consent | £0 | No fee for applications affecting listed buildings — North Tyneside has 222 listed buildings including Tynemouth Priory and Spanish City |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 | Per request to discharge conditions attached to a planning permission |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | Minor changes to an approved scheme that do not materially alter the development |
| Prior approval (larger home extension) | £120 | Required for single-storey rear extensions between 4m and 8m (detached) or 3m and 6m (other houses) |
| Full planning permission (new dwelling) | £610 per dwelling | For new build residential development — CIL also applies in most areas of North Tyneside |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by North Tyneside and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in North Tyneside
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 North Tyneside is provided by Tyne and Wear Building Control. Part of the Tyne and Wear Building Control partnership covering Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
North Tyneside planning department
Your building project checklist for North Tyneside
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — North Tyneside has 17 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — North Tyneside has 7 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 North Tyneside
Approval rate updates, Article 4 changes, and local planning tips — straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.