Amber Valley

East Midlands·E07000032·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
88

Excellent

Performance rating out of 100, based on approval rate, decision speed and appeal outcomes

Amber Valley is a planning authority in the East Midlands that covers a diverse mix of urban and rural areas. The council takes a straightforward and practical approach to planning decisions, with an impressive track record of approving householder applications. You can expect a supportive attitude towards reasonable extensions and modifications to your home.

Approval Rate

98%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

72%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

9%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

When you submit a planning application to Amber Valley, you have excellent chances of approval. The council approves 98 percent of householder applications, which is well above the national average and shows they take a pragmatic view of domestic improvements. Around 7 in 10 applications are decided within the standard 8 week timeframe, so you can usually expect a decision relatively promptly. Even if your application is refused, there is a good chance of success on appeal with only 9 percent of appeals being overturned.

Local Planning Considerations

Amber Valley contains several conservation areas and some green belt land, so you should check whether your property falls within one of these designations before applying. Listed buildings and properties near heritage assets will need to follow stricter rules about external changes. It is worth reviewing the council's local plan to understand any specific policies that might affect your plans.

Tips for Homeowners

Make sure your application is clear and complete before you submit it, as this helps the council process it quickly and reduces the chance of requests for more information. If your property is in a conservation area or near a listed building, consider getting professional advice early on, as these locations have additional requirements that could affect your plans. Take time to understand what you need permission for, as some smaller works like certain extensions or garden structures might not need planning approval at all. Finally, provide good quality drawings and photographs that clearly show what you are proposing, as this makes it easier for the planning officers to assess your application fairly.

About the performance rating: The score out of 100 is calculated from three factors: householder application approval rate (up to 40 points), the percentage of decisions made within the 8-week statutory target (up to 30 points), and the appeal overturn rate, where a lower rate means the authority makes sound decisions that hold up on appeal (up to 20 points). A further 10 points are available for data completeness. Source: MHCLG PS2 planning statistics and Planning Inspectorate appeal decisions, 2025 Q1-Q4.

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