Chorley

North West·E07000118·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
65

Good

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

Chorley is a planning authority in Lancashire in the North West region of England. The council takes a generally positive approach to householder planning applications, approving the vast majority of projects that come through the door. This is a helpful authority to work with if you're planning home improvements or extensions.

Approval Rate

94%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

77%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

63%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

When you submit a planning application to Chorley, you can be reasonably confident about your chances of success. Around 94 percent of householder applications are approved, which is a strong approval rate. You can also expect a fairly swift decision, with 77 percent of applications decided within the standard 8 week timeframe. While there's always uncertainty in planning, these figures suggest Chorley is an authority where sensible proposals tend to get the green light.

Local Planning Considerations

Before you apply, take time to check whether your property sits within a conservation area, as this will place restrictions on certain types of work like roof alterations or tree works. You should also be aware of green belt designations in the area, which can limit what you're able to build. It's worth spending a few minutes on the council's website to understand these local constraints, as they can significantly affect what you're able to do.

Tips for Homeowners

Start by having a clear conversation with the council's planning team before you formally apply. They're usually happy to give informal advice about whether your idea is likely to be acceptable, and this can save you time and money further down the line. Make sure your application is thorough and well presented, with good quality drawings and a clear description of what you're proposing. Finally, if your application is refused, remember that appeals do succeed fairly regularly at Chorley, so don't assume that a refusal is the end of the story.

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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