Lancaster

North West·E07000121·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4

Good

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

Lancaster is a planning authority in the North West of England that takes a fairly positive approach to householder applications. The authority approves the majority of planning requests and aims to process them reasonably quickly, making it a relatively straightforward place to navigate planning matters for most homeowners.

Approval Rate

88%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

73%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

29%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

When you submit a planning application to Lancaster, you can feel reasonably confident about your prospects. Around 88 out of every 100 householder applications are approved here, which is a strong approval rate. You should expect a decision within about 8 weeks in around 73 percent of cases, though some applications may take longer depending on complexity or the need for additional information from you.

Local Planning Considerations

Lancaster has areas of significant heritage value, particularly around the historic city centre, so if your property is in or near a conservation area you should be prepared for more detailed scrutiny of your proposals. The authority also has green belt land that restricts certain types of development, so it is worth checking whether your property falls within or near these protected areas before you start planning your project.

Tips for Homeowners

Start by having an honest conversation with the planning team at Lancaster before you formally apply, as they can give you helpful feedback on whether your idea is likely to succeed and what information you will need to provide. Make sure your application is complete and well presented with clear drawings and photographs, as this significantly reduces the chance of delays caused by requests for missing information. If your application is refused, do not despair, as around 29 percent of refused applications succeed on appeal, so you have options if you believe your scheme should go ahead.

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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