Salford

North West·E08000006·Data: 2025 Q1-Q4
56

Average

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

Salford is a planning authority in the North West of England that takes a generally supportive approach to householder applications. The authority approves the vast majority of applications it receives, which is encouraging for homeowners considering making a planning application. One notable characteristic is that while approval rates are high, the speed of decisions can be variable, so patience may be needed.

Approval Rate

95%

of householder applications approved

Decided Within 8 Weeks

53%

meet the statutory target

Appeal Overturn Rate

35%

of refusals overturned on appeal

What to Expect

When you submit a householder planning application to Salford, you can be fairly confident about your chances of approval, as around 95 percent of householder applications are approved. However, you should be prepared for the decision process to take some time, as only around half of applications are decided within the standard 8 week target. Even if your application is refused, there is still hope, as roughly one in three refused applications succeed on appeal. Overall, the authority is generally receptive to householder proposals, though you may need to budget extra time for the decision.

Local Planning Considerations

Salford has various conservation areas where additional planning restrictions may apply to your property, so it is worth checking whether your home falls within one of these protected zones before you apply. The authority also has areas of green belt land and some properties may be subject to Article 4 directions, which remove certain permitted development rights and require planning permission for works that would normally be allowed. These are important factors that could affect what you are able to do without formal permission.

Tips for Homeowners

Take time to understand the local character and architecture in your area, as this will help you design proposals that fit well with your surroundings and are more likely to be approved. Get your application documents right from the start by including clear drawings and a thorough description of what you are proposing, as this reduces the chance of requests for further information that could delay your decision. Consider engaging with your local planning officer informally before you submit your formal application, as they can give you valuable feedback on whether your idea is likely to be acceptable and help you refine your plans to improve your chances of success.

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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