Hyndburn

North West·E07000120·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
38

Below Average

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

Hyndburn is a planning authority in the North West of England that takes a generally positive approach to householder applications. The council approves the majority of applications it receives, making it a reasonably straightforward place to get planning permission for home improvements. However, decision times can be slower than the national standard, so patience is important.

Approval Rate

81%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

55%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

56%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

When you submit a planning application to Hyndburn, you have a good chance of approval, with around 81% of householder applications being granted. The council will assess your application carefully against local policies and any relevant considerations for your property. Be prepared for the process to take longer than the standard 8 weeks though, as only about half of applications are decided within this timeframe. If your application is refused, you do have a reasonable prospect of success on appeal, with more than half of refused applications being overturned.

Local Planning Considerations

Before you apply, check whether your property is located within a conservation area, as these are common across parts of the North West and can affect what you're allowed to do. You should also be aware of any listed building status or green belt designations that might apply to your home, as these will restrict certain types of development. It's worth having a conversation with the council's planning team early on if you think any of these protections might affect your plans.

Tips for Homeowners

Start by speaking to the planning team at Hyndburn before you submit your application, as they can give you valuable feedback on whether your proposal is likely to be acceptable and can often help you refine your plans. Make sure your application is as complete and clear as possible from the start, including good quality drawings and a thorough description of what you want to do, as this will help speed up the decision process. Given that decisions can take longer than 8 weeks, plan your project timeline generously and don't assume a quick turnaround. Finally, if you're refused, don't be disheartened, as the appeal statistics suggest there's a genuine possibility of getting your scheme approved on a second look.

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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