Planning Permission in Westmorland and Furness
Unitary Authority in North West · Last updated April 2026
Westmorland and Furness is a unitary authority formed in 2023, covering the eastern and southern parts of the former Cumbria county — including the towns of Kendal, Barrow-in-Furness, and Penrith. With 40 conservation areas, no Article 4 directions, and 2,796 listed buildings, the authority encompasses some of England's most beautiful countryside alongside the industrial heritage of the Furness peninsula.
The council handles around 1,450 applications annually with a 92.1% approval rate. The planning landscape ranges from the market towns of Kendal and Penrith to the shipbuilding town of Barrow, with significant areas bordering the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.
Homeowners should check whether their property falls within a national park (handled by the NPA) or the council's jurisdiction. Consult the local plan for guidance.
Planning a project in Westmorland and Furness? Start here.
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What can I build in Westmorland and Furness?
| 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 (40), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Conservation areas (40), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (40), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Westmorland and Furness | 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 Westmorland and Furness (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Westmorland and Furness's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Westmorland and Furness
Westmorland and Furness has 40 conservation areas but no Article 4 directions and no Green Belt, meaning standard PD rights apply outside conservation areas. The 2,796 listed buildings are the main additional constraint. Significant areas of the authority border or overlap with the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, where the NPAs handle planning. Outside these designations, PD rights are relatively straightforward.
What Westmorland and Furness expects from your project
Local Plan: Westmorland and Furness Local Plan
Westmorland and Furness Council was created in April 2023, merging the former Eden, South Lakeland and Barrow-in-Furness districts. Saved policies from those legacy plans continue to apply within their respective areas. Much of the new authority area lies within the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.
Emerging / replacement plan
A new Westmorland and Furness Local Plan is being prepared for the area outside the National Parks. A Regulation 18 Issues consultation is expected in 2025-2026.
40 conservation areas
Westmorland and Furness 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.
92.1% approval rate
Westmorland and Furness approves 92.1% 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 Westmorland and Furness
40 designated conservation areas
The 40 conservation areas protect the character of Westmorland and Furness's most important historic environments — from the medieval market town of Kendal and the Georgian architecture of Penrith to the industrial heritage of Barrow-in-Furness and the rural villages of the Eden Valley. The area's varied building traditions include Lakeland slate, red sandstone, limestone, and Victorian industrial brick.
Article 4 directions in Westmorland and Furness
3 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Westmorland and Furness
There are 2,796 listed buildings in Westmorland and Furness. 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 Westmorland and Furness's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Westmorland and Furness received 1,447 planning applications and decided 1,203 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 92.1% 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.
Westmorland and Furness Council received 1,447 planning applications in the year ending September 2025, with a 92.1% approval rate across 1,203 decisions. The council processed 522 householder applications. The approval rate is above the national average, reflecting the council's supportive approach to development.
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 Westmorland and Furness
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Westmorland and Furness expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Westmorland and Furness's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Lawful Development Certificates in Westmorland and Furness
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Westmorland and Furness 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.
Westmorland and Furness decided 522 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 91.6% 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 Westmorland and Furness
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Westmorland and Furness'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
Westmorland and Furness 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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£49Westmorland and Furness Local Authority Report
Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Westmorland and Furness.
Pre-application advice in Westmorland and Furness
Westmorland and Furness offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is From £120 for householder proposals. You can typically expect a response within 28 working days.
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 →Westmorland and Furness Council offers paid pre-application advice for householder and minor development proposals. Written responses provided following assessment against relevant planning policy.
View Westmorland and Furness's pre-application advice page →
Planning fees and timelines in Westmorland and Furness
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning application | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Full planning permission | £610 per dwelling | 8-13 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6-8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6-8 weeks |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Prior approval | £120 | 56 days |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | 8 weeks |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | 28 days |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Westmorland and Furness and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Westmorland and Furness
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 Westmorland and Furness is provided by Westmorland and Furness Council Building Control. Westmorland and Furness Council provides building control services. Approved private inspectors are also available as an alternative. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Contact the building control team for a fee quotation based on your project type and scale.
Westmorland and Furness planning department
Your building project checklist for Westmorland and Furness
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Westmorland and Furness has 40 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Westmorland and Furness has 3 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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