Planning Permission in Wiltshire
Unitary Authority in South West · Last updated April 2026
Wiltshire is one of England's largest unitary authorities, stretching from the Cotswolds in the north to the New Forest fringe in the south. With 243 conservation areas, Green Belt land, and 12,251 listed buildings, the county is one of the most heritage-rich planning areas in England — home to Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Sites.
The council processes over 4,400 applications annually with a 93% approval rate. Wiltshire's towns and villages — from the cathedral city of Salisbury to the market towns of Marlborough, Devizes, and Chippenham — each have distinctive architectural characters that influence planning decisions.
Homeowners should check whether their property falls within any of Wiltshire's local plan designations, particularly the 243 conservation areas, Green Belt, Cranborne Chase and North Wessex Downs AONBs, or the World Heritage Sites, as these significantly affect permitted development rights.
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What can I build in Wiltshire?
| 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 (243), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (243), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (243), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Wiltshire | 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, Green Belt |
| 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 Wiltshire (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Wiltshire's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Wiltshire
Wiltshire's 243 conservation areas cover the historic cores of virtually every town and village in the county, making it one of the most restricted PD landscapes in England despite having no Article 4 directions. The Green Belt around Bath and the Cotswolds AONB in the north add further constraints. Outside these many designations, standard PD rights apply, but the sheer density of conservation areas means that homeowners should always check before starting work. The 12,251 listed buildings — one of the highest counts in England — further limit what can be done without consent.
What Wiltshire expects from your project
Local Plan: Wiltshire Core Strategy
The Wiltshire Core Strategy was adopted in January 2015 following the merger of the four Wiltshire districts into the unitary Wiltshire Council in 2009. The plan period expired in 2026. It is supplemented by the Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan (adopted 2020) and various neighbourhood plans.
Emerging / replacement plan
Wiltshire is preparing a new Local Plan to replace the Core Strategy. A Regulation 18 consultation ran in 2022. The Regulation 19 Pre-Submission Draft was published in 2023 and submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in 2024.
243 conservation areas
Wiltshire 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% approval rate
Wiltshire approves 93% 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 Wiltshire
243 designated conservation areas
The 243 conservation areas in Wiltshire protect an extraordinary range of historic environments, from medieval wool towns like Bradford-on-Avon and Castle Combe to the Georgian terraces of Salisbury Close and the thatched villages of the chalk downlands. Properties within these areas face restrictions on extensions, dormers, and external alterations. The county's varied building traditions — Cotswold stone in the north, chalk and flint in the centre, brick in the south — mean that material choices are critical in conservation area applications.
Article 4 directions in Wiltshire
Article 4 direction data for Wiltshire 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 Wiltshire's planning department directly or use our free PD checker to check whether your property is affected.
Listed buildings in Wiltshire
There are 12,251 listed buildings in Wiltshire. 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 Wiltshire's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Wiltshire received 4,435 planning applications and decided 3,781 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 93% 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.
Wiltshire Council received 4,435 planning applications in the year ending September 2025, with a 93% approval rate across 3,781 decisions. The council processed 1,837 householder applications. The high approval rate, despite the extensive heritage constraints, reflects the council's collaborative approach and the effectiveness of pre-application advice. The difference between applications received and decisions reflects applications still being processed or withdrawn.
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 Wiltshire
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Wiltshire expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Wiltshire'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 Wiltshire
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Wiltshire delivered 7,237 homes against a requirement of 5,358 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 135%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Wiltshire are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Wiltshire
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Wiltshire 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.
Wiltshire decided 1,837 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 97.1% 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 Wiltshire
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Wiltshire'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
Wiltshire 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 Wiltshire.
Pre-application advice in Wiltshire
Wiltshire offers a pre-application advice service.
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 →Wiltshire Council offers a paid pre-application advice service. Householder enquiries from around £150. Apply online through the council's planning portal.
Planning fees and timelines in Wiltshire
| 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 Wiltshire and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Wiltshire
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 Wiltshire is provided by Wiltshire Building Control. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Wiltshire Council Building Control or approved private inspectors.
Wiltshire planning department
Your building project checklist for Wiltshire
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Wiltshire has 243 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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