Planning Permission in South Derbyshire
Non-Metropolitan District in East Midlands · Last updated April 2026
South Derbyshire is a non-metropolitan district in the East Midlands, covering a diverse area from the Trent Valley in the south to the fringes of Derby in the north. The district encompasses the main town of Swadlincote and attractive villages including Melbourne, Etwall, Hilton, Repton, and Ticknall. South Derbyshire has an exceptionally rich heritage with 712 listed buildings including 48 Grade I (the highest number in Derbyshire), 48 Grade II*, and 616 Grade II. The district has 22 conservation areas, 4 Article 4 directions, and significant Green Belt land.
The adopted development plan comprises the Local Plan Part 1 (adopted June 2016, covering 2011-2028) and Local Plan Part 2 (adopted November 2017). A Local Plan Part 1 Review (2022-2041) reached Publication Version stage in March 2025 and will proceed to examination. A Local Plan Part 2 Review consultation ran from November 2025 to January 2026. Three neighbourhood plans have been adopted: Repton (January 2020), Hilton/Marston-on-Dove/Hoon (November 2021), and Melbourne (July 2022), with five more in preparation. South Derbyshire does not levy CIL, relying on Section 106 agreements.
South Derbyshire is experiencing significant growth and regeneration. Infinity Garden Village, straddling the South Derbyshire/Derby border, is a major scheme delivering up to 4,750 new homes, 3.4 million sq ft of employment space, and 5,000 jobs, backed by £49.5m Levelling Up funding for a new A50 junction. A Swadlincote Town Centre Masterplan is being developed by BDP with public consultation in autumn 2025. A new leisure centre and civic offices complex at Cadley Park will replace ageing facilities on Civic Way. Toyota Manufacturing UK at Burnaston directly employs 3,000 people and generates £5.4 billion in economic output. The Housing Delivery Test score of 190% demonstrates strong housing delivery with no adverse consequences.
Planning a project in South Derbyshire? Start here.
Enter your address to check your permitted development rights, conservation area status, and Article 4 restrictions specific to South Derbyshire.
Free check — no account required
What can I build in South Derbyshire?
| 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 or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (22), Article 4 zones (4), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (22), Article 4 zones (4), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (22), Article 4 zones (4), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Properties on prominent corners or in Article 4 areas (Swadlincote Conservation Area Article 4 Direction, Shardlow Conservation Area Article 4 Direction) | Conservation areas (e.g. Aston-on-Trent, Barrow-on-Trent, Bretby), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of South Derbyshire outside conservation areas | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings, Article 4 areas |
| 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, 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 South Derbyshire (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on South Derbyshire's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in South Derbyshire
Permitted development rights in South Derbyshire follow the national GPDO but are restricted by 4 Article 4 directions in conservation areas. Article 4 directions in Swadlincote, Shardlow, Melbourne, and Ticknall remove permitted development rights for external alterations including replacement windows, doors, and roof materials. PD rights are also restricted in all 22 conservation areas more broadly. The district's 712 listed buildings (48 Grade I, 48 Grade II*, 616 Grade II) always require listed building consent for any works affecting their character. Notable Grade I buildings include Calke Abbey (National Trust), Church of St Michael with St Mary in Melbourne (one of England's most important Norman churches), Church of St Wystan in Repton (with its Anglo-Saxon crypt), and Church of St Saviour in Foremark. Green Belt land applies in parts of the district and imposes additional constraints. There are no HMO Article 4 directions in South Derbyshire.
What South Derbyshire expects from your project
South Derbyshire's built environment reflects its transition from a rural and agricultural landscape to one shaped by coal mining, pottery manufacture, and modern manufacturing industry. Swadlincote, the main town, grew around the pottery and pipe-making industries and retains Victorian commercial character in its conservation area. Melbourne is one of the district's most architecturally significant settlements, with the Norman church of St Michael with St Mary and the grounds of Melbourne Hall (with Grade I listed garden features from 1704). Repton is a village of national importance, home to Repton School (founded 1557 on a medieval priory site) with four Grade I listed buildings including the Old Priory and remains of the Priory Church. Calke Abbey near Ticknall is a Grade I listed Baroque mansion managed by the National Trust. Swarkestone Bridge, the longest stone bridge in England, dates from the 13th-14th centuries. The village of Hilton has grown dramatically through St Modwen's regeneration of the former MOD Central Vehicle Storage Depot, becoming the district's second largest settlement. Tetron Point business park near Swadlincote accommodates major employers including GXO Logistics and WestRock.
Local Plan: South Derbyshire Local Plan (Parts 1 and 2)
South Derbyshire's development plan comprises Local Plan Part 1 (Core Strategy, adopted June 2016) and Part 2 (Site Allocations and Policies, adopted June 2017). The plan supports significant growth on the Derby urban fringe, at Infinity Park (the advanced manufacturing enterprise zone) and at a series of large sustainable urban extensions.
Emerging / replacement plan
South Derbyshire is participating in the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan preparation alongside Derby City and neighbouring authorities. A local plan review is also anticipated in 2025–2026.
22 conservation areas
South Derbyshire 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.
93.6% approval rate
South Derbyshire approves 93.6% 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 South Derbyshire
22 designated conservation areas
South Derbyshire contains 22 conservation areas protecting the district's rich historic character. These range from the Trent and Mersey Canal conservation area (reflecting the district's waterway heritage) to historic villages such as Melbourne (designated 1969), Repton (1969, former capital of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia), and Ticknall (1972, gateway to Calke Abbey). The Swadlincote conservation area (1990) protects the town's Victorian and industrial heritage. Other notable areas include Shardlow (a Georgian inland port), Swarkestone (with its medieval bridge and causeway), Etwall, and Newton Solney. Four conservation areas have Article 4 directions (Swadlincote, Shardlow, Melbourne, Ticknall) removing additional permitted development rights. Each conservation area has its own Character Statement. If your property is within a conservation area, you may need planning permission for works that would normally be permitted elsewhere, including changes to windows, doors, boundary treatments, and tree works.
Article 4 directions in South Derbyshire
4 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in South Derbyshire
There are 712 listed buildings in South Derbyshire. 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 South Derbyshire's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
South Derbyshire received 719 planning applications and decided 623 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 93.6% 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.
South Derbyshire's Housing Delivery Test score of 190% (2023 measurement) demonstrates strong housing delivery — 3,232 homes delivered against a requirement of 1,697, with no adverse consequences. The approval rate is 93.6%, well above the national average of 86.9%. 97.8% of major applications and 92.6% of householder applications are decided on time. The delegation rate is 91%. South Derbyshire does not levy CIL, relying on Section 106 agreements for developer contributions (contact: s106@southderbyshire.gov.uk). Three neighbourhood plans have been made: Repton (January 2020), Hilton, Marston-on-Dove and Hoon (November 2021), and Melbourne (July 2022). Five more are in preparation: Willington, Etwall, Findern, Burnaston, and Hatton.
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 South Derbyshire
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what South Derbyshire expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on South Derbyshire'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 South Derbyshire
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
South Derbyshire delivered 3,232 homes against a requirement of 1,697 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 190%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in South Derbyshire are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in South Derbyshire
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from South Derbyshire 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.
South Derbyshire decided 284 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 92.6% 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 South Derbyshire
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through South Derbyshire'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
South Derbyshire 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 South Derbyshire needs planning permission.
FROM £39Permitted Development Certificate Report
Get a comprehensive report for your Lawful Development Certificate application.
£49South Derbyshire Local Authority Report
Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for South Derbyshire.
Pre-application advice in South Derbyshire
South Derbyshire offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is From £100 for householder pre-application enquiries. Full fee schedule available in the Table of Information and Fees document on the council's website. Meetings with planning officers available at additional cost.. You can typically expect a response within Written response provided; specific timeframe set out in the Table of Information and Fees. Service relaunched January 2025..
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 →Service includes review of submitted information with reference to site constraints and adopted national/local policy. Consultees may be contacted. Does not include responses from external bodies such as County Highway Authority who offer their own chargeable services.
Planning fees and timelines in South Derbyshire
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning permission | £528 | 8-week determination target. South Derbyshire's householder on-time rate is 92.6%. |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | Confirms proposed works are permitted development. Recommended in conservation areas (22 in South Derbyshire) and Article 4 direction areas. |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | Confirms existing works or use are lawful. Useful when selling property with undocumented alterations. |
| Listed building consent | Free | Required for any works affecting a listed building's character. South Derbyshire has 712 listed buildings including 48 Grade I. |
| Prior approval (larger home extension) | £120 | For single-storey rear extensions up to 6m (semi/terrace) or 8m (detached). 42-day determination. |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | Required before commencing work subject to planning conditions. |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | For minor changes to an approved scheme that do not materially alter the development. |
| Full planning permission (no new dwellings) | £548 | For development not involving creation of new dwelling units. 8-week target. |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by South Derbyshire and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in South Derbyshire
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 South Derbyshire is provided by Central Building Control Partnership. South Derbyshire's building control service is provided through the Central Building Control Partnership, a shared service between six councils: Lichfield, South Staffordshire, Tamworth, South Derbyshire, Nuneaton & Bedworth, and North Warwickshire. You can also appoint a private Registered Building Control Approver. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Fee quotes provided on application. Contact Central Building Control for current domestic and commercial fee schedules.
South Derbyshire planning department
Your building project checklist for South Derbyshire
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — South Derbyshire has 22 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — South Derbyshire has 4 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 South Derbyshire
Approval rate updates, Article 4 changes, and local planning tips — straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.