Planning Permission in Oadby and Wigston
Non-Metropolitan District in East Midlands · Last updated April 2026
Oadby and Wigston is the smallest borough in Leicestershire, covering just 9 square miles on the south-eastern edge of Leicester. The borough comprises three distinct communities — Oadby, Wigston, and South Wigston — each with its own town centre and character. Despite its compact size, the borough has 10 conservation areas and a rich suburban heritage, with Victorian and Edwardian properties alongside more modern development. The University of Leicester's Botanic Garden and student halls are located in Oadby.
Green Wedges — strategic green spaces extending from Leicester into the countryside — are a significant local planning designation, maintaining separation between communities and providing open space. The borough has no Green Belt and no Article 4 directions, despite the presence of university student accommodation in Oadby. The council's new Local Plan has been paused at Regulation 19 stage due to a significantly increased housing requirement under the government's revised Standard Method.
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council uses the Leicestershire Building Control Partnership (LBCP) for building regulations. Pre-application advice is available with separate forms for general proposals and new housing. The Housing Delivery Test score of 176% shows strong delivery. Use our free planning search tool to check the planning history and constraints for any property in the borough.
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What can I build in Oadby and Wigston?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Oadby and Wigston outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries | Conservation areas (10), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Oadby and Wigston outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Conservation areas (10), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (10), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas (e.g. The Lanes, Spa Lane, South Wigston), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Oadby and Wigston | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Oadby and Wigston outside protected 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 Oadby and Wigston (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Oadby and Wigston's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Oadby and Wigston
Standard permitted development rights apply to most residential properties in Oadby and Wigston. The borough has no Article 4 directions — unlike neighbouring Leicester City, which has HMO Article 4 coverage. Properties in any of the 10 conservation areas face additional restrictions on cladding, satellite dishes, and demolition. The council also has Local Development Orders in place for Wigston town centre, South Wigston, and Oadby (Brooksby Square) to facilitate regeneration, which may grant additional permitted development rights in these areas.
What Oadby and Wigston expects from your project
Design quality in Oadby and Wigston is shaped by the borough's established suburban character and its role as a transition between Leicester city and the rural Leicestershire countryside. The Wigston Direction for Growth — a strategic allocation for approximately 450 homes south-east of Wigston — includes community facilities, a school, and employment land. Local Development Orders in the three town centres encourage appropriate regeneration and improvement works. Given the borough's high population density (one of the highest in Leicestershire), extensions and new development must be sensitively designed to respect neighbouring amenity and the established streetscape character.
Local Plan: Oadby & Wigston Local Plan 2011–2031
Oadby & Wigston Borough adopted its Local Plan in September 2019. England's second smallest district by area, the borough sits south-east of Leicester city, comprising the suburbs of Oadby and Wigston. The plan is heavily constrained by Green Belt and provides for modest growth within the urban areas and on limited urban edge sites.
Emerging / replacement plan
Oadby & Wigston is preparing a new Local Plan within the Leicester and Leicestershire strategic planning context. A Regulation 18 consultation is anticipated in 2025–2026.
74.8% approval rate
Oadby and Wigston's planning approval rate is below the national average of 86.9%. If your project needs planning permission, consider pre-application advice before submitting — it significantly reduces refusal risk.
Conservation areas in Oadby and Wigston
10 designated conservation areas
Oadby and Wigston's 10 conservation areas reflect the borough's suburban and Victorian heritage. Notable designations include the Grand Union Canal Conservation Area, the North Memorial Homes (a distinctive group of almshouses), the Spa Lane area, and the South Wigston Conservation Area — which preserves the character of this planned Victorian railway town. The borough's listed buildings are concentrated in these historic cores. Any works within a conservation area that would affect its character require planning permission, and demolition of buildings generally requires conservation area consent.
Article 4 directions in Oadby and Wigston
Article 4 direction data for Oadby and Wigston 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 Oadby and Wigston's planning department directly or use our free PD checker to check whether your property is affected.
Listed buildings in Oadby and Wigston
There are 39 listed buildings in Oadby and Wigston. 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 Oadby and Wigston's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Oadby and Wigston received 309 planning applications and decided 278 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 74.8% is below 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.
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council's Housing Delivery Test score of 176% demonstrates strong housing delivery, well above the 95% threshold. No additional consequences apply. However, the emerging new Local Plan has been paused after the government's revised Standard Method increased the borough's housing requirement from 240 to 389 dwellings per annum. The council has no Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) — developer contributions are secured through Section 106 agreements. Local government reorganisation may see the borough become part of a South Leicestershire unitary authority alongside Blaby, Harborough, and Hinckley and Bosworth.
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 Oadby and Wigston
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Oadby and Wigston expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Oadby and Wigston'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 Oadby and Wigston
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Oadby and Wigston delivered 696 homes against a requirement of 395 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 176%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Oadby and Wigston are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Oadby and Wigston
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Oadby and Wigston 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.
Oadby and Wigston decided 212 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 96.7% 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 Oadby and Wigston
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Oadby and Wigston'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
Oadby and Wigston 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 Oadby and Wigston.
Pre-application advice in Oadby and Wigston
Oadby and Wigston offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is See council fee schedule for 2025-26.
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 →Separate forms for general proposals (Form 1) and new housing (Form 2). Free general planning advice available via the Planning Portal.
Planning fees and timelines in Oadby and Wigston
| 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 for 2025-26 |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Oadby and Wigston and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Oadby and Wigston
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 Oadby and Wigston is provided by Leicestershire Building Control Partnership. Shared service launched May 2022 covering Oadby & Wigston and five other Leicestershire authorities. Same-day inspections if booked before 10am. Private approved inspectors can also be used. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Oadby and Wigston planning department
Your building project checklist for Oadby and Wigston
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Oadby and Wigston has 10 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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