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Chorley planning statistics

Householder applications decided in the year to June 2026, compared with the rest of England.

How long does planning permission take in Chorley?

Chorley decided 72.6% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Chorley is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

72.6%

92nd of 297

9.9 points faster than England

Granted

95.8%

63rd of 297

5.3 points higher than England

Extension of time

27.4%

121st of 297

4.9 points lower than England

Decisions (12 months)

259

Chorley decided 259 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 95.8%.

72.6% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (92nd of 297 for speed).

A further 27.4% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is down from 76.6% a year earlier.

How quickly decisions are made

Chorley against England, share of householder decisions each quarter

  • Within 8 weeks, no extension
  • Extension of time
  • England, within 8 weeks
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterWithin 8 weeks, no extensionExtension of timeEngland, within 8 weeks
2008 Q193.1%0.0%89.5%
2008 Q293.8%0.0%89.4%
2008 Q396.9%0.0%89.7%
2008 Q496.8%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q189.5%0.0%90.3%
2009 Q297.4%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q393.5%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q494.1%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q186.5%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q281.3%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q370.2%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q476.4%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q189.7%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q295.0%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q389.5%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q492.9%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q191.7%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q280.8%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q380.6%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q489.7%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q182.7%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q282.1%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q385.6%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q490.8%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q186.2%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q289.9%0.0%84.9%
2014 Q381.1%5.6%82.5%
2014 Q469.4%1.4%82.1%
2015 Q172.6%0.0%80.4%
2015 Q267.8%2.2%80.6%
2015 Q381.4%4.1%79.2%
2015 Q472.0%6.7%80.0%
2016 Q191.7%8.3%78.3%
2016 Q280.0%10.0%79.8%
2016 Q376.3%1.3%77.7%
2016 Q475.3%16.9%78.0%
2017 Q182.1%13.7%77.3%
2017 Q283.2%15.0%78.5%
2017 Q380.3%19.7%76.1%
2017 Q493.1%6.9%77.1%
2018 Q187.1%12.9%73.7%
2018 Q285.7%14.3%74.0%
2018 Q386.0%14.0%72.7%
2018 Q481.7%18.3%72.7%
2019 Q164.5%35.5%69.9%
2019 Q276.4%23.6%72.1%
2019 Q372.4%27.6%69.6%
2019 Q473.8%26.3%71.5%
2020 Q161.3%38.7%68.4%
2020 Q231.5%68.5%63.9%
2020 Q376.3%23.7%63.8%
2020 Q470.9%29.1%65.3%
2021 Q172.3%27.7%59.4%
2021 Q263.4%36.6%58.4%
2021 Q335.0%65.0%53.1%
2021 Q456.6%42.6%53.0%
2022 Q176.2%23.8%51.6%
2022 Q263.0%37.0%56.0%
2022 Q367.1%32.9%53.3%
2022 Q459.0%40.0%54.1%
2023 Q161.4%37.6%53.5%
2023 Q271.8%28.2%58.5%
2023 Q378.6%21.4%59.0%
2023 Q480.3%19.7%59.8%
2024 Q179.4%20.6%58.8%
2024 Q266.7%33.3%64.4%
2024 Q379.0%21.0%64.2%
2024 Q472.6%27.4%65.6%
2025 Q171.4%28.6%62.1%
2025 Q283.0%17.0%65.0%
2025 Q371.9%28.1%62.5%
2025 Q479.7%20.3%64.7%
2026 Q174.6%25.4%60.6%
2026 Q263.8%36.2%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Chorley against England

  • Chorley
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterChorleyEngland
2008 Q193.1%85.1%
2008 Q289.4%86.1%
2008 Q389.9%86.3%
2008 Q491.5%85.3%
2009 Q184.2%85.9%
2009 Q293.0%86.8%
2009 Q394.6%87.4%
2009 Q494.1%86.9%
2010 Q189.2%87.0%
2010 Q286.8%88.0%
2010 Q395.2%87.7%
2010 Q493.6%87.5%
2011 Q194.1%87.9%
2011 Q295.0%88.5%
2011 Q395.6%88.3%
2011 Q492.9%88.3%
2012 Q191.7%88.2%
2012 Q291.9%89.2%
2012 Q394.9%89.0%
2012 Q497.7%88.9%
2013 Q197.5%89.8%
2013 Q297.4%90.6%
2013 Q395.6%90.3%
2013 Q493.8%89.6%
2014 Q191.4%89.8%
2014 Q289.9%90.5%
2014 Q394.4%90.0%
2014 Q495.8%89.2%
2015 Q193.2%89.3%
2015 Q292.2%90.2%
2015 Q391.8%90.0%
2015 Q493.3%89.2%
2016 Q195.8%90.0%
2016 Q293.3%90.3%
2016 Q397.5%90.2%
2016 Q491.0%89.7%
2017 Q195.8%89.9%
2017 Q295.6%90.5%
2017 Q394.7%90.0%
2017 Q495.8%90.1%
2018 Q198.8%90.5%
2018 Q296.9%91.0%
2018 Q395.0%91.2%
2018 Q491.5%90.5%
2019 Q197.4%90.3%
2019 Q298.1%91.0%
2019 Q394.3%90.6%
2019 Q495.0%89.8%
2020 Q194.7%89.9%
2020 Q292.1%90.2%
2020 Q387.8%90.6%
2020 Q490.6%90.3%
2021 Q198.2%90.9%
2021 Q291.0%91.2%
2021 Q395.8%91.0%
2021 Q495.9%90.1%
2022 Q190.1%90.0%
2022 Q290.7%90.4%
2022 Q390.6%89.8%
2022 Q497.0%89.4%
2023 Q191.1%89.3%
2023 Q293.0%89.2%
2023 Q394.0%88.6%
2023 Q495.8%88.2%
2024 Q194.1%88.2%
2024 Q297.1%89.1%
2024 Q396.8%89.4%
2024 Q498.8%88.6%
2025 Q198.6%89.3%
2025 Q293.2%90.4%
2025 Q394.7%90.1%
2025 Q491.9%90.1%
2026 Q1100.0%90.6%
2026 Q297.1%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks72.6%
  • 8 to 13 weeks0.0%
  • 13 to 26 weeks0.0%
  • Over 26 weeks0.0%
  • Extension of time agreed27.4%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks188
8 to 13 weeks0
13 to 26 weeks0
Over 26 weeks0
Extension of time agreed71

Appeals

Decided
2
Allowed
50.0%
Median wait
16 weeks

Householder appeals to the Planning Inspectorate decided in the same 12 months. England: 34.4% allowed.

Refusals overturned at appeal

4.4% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 4 appeals allowed against 91 refusals.

26th lowest of 299 planning authorities. England: 8.9% (July 2021 to June 2026).

Householder refusals from MHCLG table PS2; appeals allowed from the Planning Inspectorate. Approximate: appeals decided in the period, which can relate to earlier refusals.

Larger home extensions (prior approval)

Single-storey rear extensions deeper than 4 metres on a detached house (3 metres otherwise), up to 8 metres (6 metres), can use prior approval instead of a planning application, except in conservation areas, National Landscapes and other protected areas.

Of 12 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 12 needed no approval, 0 were approved and 0 were refused.

Fewer than 10 decided in the period.

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

4 planning enforcement notices issued in the year to June 2026.

0.07 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 94th lowest of 294 planning authorities.

Covers all types of development, not only extensions.

MHCLG table P130; homes from the VOA Council Tax stock of properties.

Protected areas

9 conservation areas: Abbey Village, Bretherton, Brindle, Croston, Rivington, St George's, Chorley, St Laurence's, Chorley, White Coppice and Withnell Fold.

Chorley has not published its Article 4 directions to the national planning data service, so the count may be incomplete.

Both can remove permitted development rights, so check with the council before relying on them. Permitted development rules

To check one postcode for a conservation area, listed buildings nearby, flood zone and radon, use the address check.

planning.data.gov.uk.

Builders

550 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 10.3 per 1,000 homes, about 0.5 householder decisions per firm a year.

138th highest of 294 planning authorities. England median: 10.1 per 1,000 homes and 0.5 decisions per firm.

Counts VAT or PAYE registered firms only, rounded to 5 by ONS; self-employed builders below the VAT threshold aren't included.

Finding a builder

ONS UK Business Counts; homes from the VOA Council Tax stock of properties; decisions from MHCLG table PS2.

Compared with neighbouring councils

Decisions and approvals in the year to June 2026; overturns over each council's appeal window; builders per 1,000 homes in 2026.

Decided within 8 weeks, no extension

Granted

Refusals overturned at appeal

Registered building firms per 1,000 homes

Questions about planning in Chorley

How long does planning permission take in Chorley?

Chorley decided 72.6% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Is my house in a conservation area in Chorley?

9 conservation areas: Abbey Village, Bretherton, Brindle, Croston, Rivington, St George's, Chorley, St Laurence's, Chorley, White Coppice and Withnell Fold. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Chorley?

550 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 10.3 per 1,000 homes, about 0.5 householder decisions per firm a year. Counts VAT or PAYE registered firms only, rounded to 5 by ONS; self-employed builders below the VAT threshold aren't included.

Do I need planning permission for an extension in Chorley?

Many extensions can be built under permitted development without an application, but conservation areas and Article 4 directions can remove those rights, so check whether your address is in a conservation area or covered by an Article 4 direction before relying on them. Do you need planning permission?

Property prices and energy performance in Chorley

Homes sold July 2023 to June 2026, matched to the floor area and energy rating on their Energy Performance Certificate.

Median price per m²

£2,615

4,724 sales

In line with North West

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

55.5%

Median energy score 69

7.6 points above North West

Value added by extending, per m²

£1,290

17.8% on the sale price

5% below North West

Energy upgrade, no extension

+9.5%

Sale-price uplift when the energy score rose 5+ points

3.6 points above North West

The median home sold in Chorley was £221,000 for 87 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 43% since 2015 (£1,874 to £2,683 per m², 2025). Across all 37,486 homes with a certificate, 55.0% are rated A to C on their latest one.

254 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 29 m². They sold for a median 17.8% more than similar unextended houses, £1,290 for each m² added. Will an extension pay for itself here?

Medians from HM Land Registry sale prices and MHCLG Energy Performance Certificates; groups under 30 sales or 50 extended houses are not shown. These describe past sales across many homes, not a valuation of any one. How these are worked out

Next steps for your extension

Compare every council · How we calculate these figures

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