How many planning applications has East Lothian Council received?

East Lothian Council received 993 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 86%.

How long does East Lothian Council take to decide planning applications?

East Lothian Council takes an average of 60 days to decide planning applications. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for householder and minor applications, and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate for East Lothian Council?

East Lothian Council approves 86% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I search East Lothian Council planning applications?

You can search East Lothian Council planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the East Lothian Council area to see all nearby applications, filter by type, and track decisions in real time.

How do I object to a planning application in East Lothian Council?

To object to a East Lothian Council planning application, you must submit your representation to East Lothian Council during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from the date the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows you the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the East Lothian Council planning portal where objections can be submitted.

East Lothian Council Planning Applications

Search and explore East Lothian Council planning applications. Planning Signal is your free alternative to the East Lothian Council planning portal — search all recent applications, track decisions, and get alerts on new developments in the area.

Region: Scotland

About East Lothian Council

Governance

Leader: Norman Hampshire (Labour), since 16 November 2021

Chief Executive: Laurence Rockey, since 22 April 2025

Seats: 22

Last election: 5 May 2022

Political composition: Labour (10), SNP (6), Conservatives (4), Green Party (1), Independent (1)

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to East Lothian Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for East Lothian Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in East Lothian Council mention key planning constraints like heritage, flood risk, and environmental concerns
Council Boundary Map - Interactive map showing the council boundary and application locations
Full Details - View complete application details, dates and decision status

Council Insights

Property Prices

Area Information

Admin district: East Lothian
Parliamentary constituency: Lothian East
LSOA: Prestonpans East - 03

Crime Statistics

0 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in East Lothian Council.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for East Lothian Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in East Lothian Council

76 towns and villages. Click any town to search for planning applications nearby.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the East Lothian Council area.

A brief summary of East Lothian Council

East Lothian Council, one of Scotland's 32 local government councils, oversees the East Lothian area. Following boundary changes in 2017, it comprises 22 councillors elected from six distinct wards, making it a key authority for those researching planning applications in the region. The council is currently led by Norman Hampshire (Labour). The council comprises 22 seats, with the most recent election held on 5 May 2022.

There were no crimes reported in the East Lothian Council area during the most recent reporting period.

The council area encompasses 76 towns and villages, including Cockenzie and Port Seton, Dunbar, East Linton, Haddington, Musselburgh and North Berwick. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search East Lothian Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for East Lothian Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the East Lothian Council area. Unlike the official East Lothian Council planning portal, Planning Signal lets you save searches, watch individual applications, and receive email alerts when decisions are made or new applications are submitted nearby.

Whether you're a resident checking East Lothian Council planning applications near your home, a homeowner tracking your own application, or a property professional monitoring the local market, Planning Signal gives you the tools to stay informed about planning and development across East Lothian Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 993 planning applications East Lothian Council received. Of these, 86% were approved, with an average decision time of 60 days.

This is broadly in line with the national average of approximately 87%. East Lothian Council maintains a standard approach to planning decisions.

At 60 days on average, decisions in East Lothian Council slightly exceed the 8-week statutory target for minor applications, though this is common across many councils.

The most common application types in East Lothian Council were full planning applications (590), listed building and heritage (101), outline applications (95). Full planning applications account for 59% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.

In terms of development scale, 3 large-scale (major) developments, 36 medium-scale applications, 810 smaller schemes were submitted.

Application Outcomes

Approved: 494 applications
Refused: 16 applications
Withdrawn: 64 applications
Awaiting decision: 412 applications

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.