Derbyshire Dales

East Midlands·E07000035·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
68

Good

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

Derbyshire Dales is a planning authority in the East Midlands that covers a beautiful rural area including parts of the Peak District. The authority has a positive approach to householder applications, approving the vast majority of submissions. The council is known for being reasonably supportive of residential development where it fits with local character and countryside protection.

Approval Rate

92%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

73%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

39%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

When you submit a planning application to Derbyshire Dales, you can be fairly confident about its chances. Around 92% of householder applications are approved, which is a strong approval rate that reflects a reasonable and balanced approach. However, you should expect that decisions may take a little longer than the standard 8-week target, as only 73% of applications are decided within this timeframe. Even if your application is refused, there is a reasonable chance of success on appeal, with 39% of refused applications overturned.

Local Planning Considerations

Much of Derbyshire Dales falls within or near the Peak District, so conservation areas and countryside protection are important considerations in this region. You should check whether your property is in a conservation area or on green belt land, as these designations can affect what you are allowed to do. The authority takes these landscape and heritage protections seriously, so applications that respect the local character and environment tend to perform better.

Tips for Homeowners

Before you apply, spend time understanding what makes your local area special, whether that is a conservation area or the surrounding countryside, and design your project to fit with these qualities rather than stand out against them. Get your drawings and descriptions absolutely clear and detailed, as this helps the planning officers understand your scheme quickly and reduces the chance of requests for more information that can delay your decision. If you are at all uncertain about whether you need planning permission, contact the council for pre application advice, as this small investment of time can save you from costly mistakes later on.

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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