How many planning applications has Inverclyde Council received?

Inverclyde Council received 246 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 73%.

How long does Inverclyde Council take to decide planning applications?

Inverclyde Council takes an average of 62 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 Inverclyde Council?

Inverclyde Council approves 73% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I search Inverclyde Council planning applications?

You can search Inverclyde Council planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the Inverclyde 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 Inverclyde Council?

To object to a Inverclyde Council planning application, you must submit your representation to Inverclyde 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 Inverclyde Council planning portal where objections can be submitted.

Inverclyde Council Planning Applications

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

Region: Scotland

About Inverclyde Council

Governance

Leader: Stephen McCabe (Labour), since 6 March 2025

Chief Executive: Stuart Jamieson, since May 2025

Seats: 22 councillors

Founded: 1996

Last election: 5 May 2022

Political composition: Labour (9), SNP (6), Conservative (2), Independent (5)

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to Inverclyde Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Inverclyde Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in Inverclyde 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: Inverclyde
Parliamentary constituency: Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West
LSOA: Gourock Upper and West Central - 06

Crime Statistics

0 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in Inverclyde 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 Inverclyde Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in Inverclyde Council

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

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the Inverclyde Council area.

A brief summary of Inverclyde Council

Inverclyde Council is a key local authority in Scotland, established in 1996 to serve the Inverclyde area. This council succeeded the Inverclyde District Council, which operated from 1975 to 1996, and plays a vital role in managing planning applications and local development within the region. The council is currently led by Stephen McCabe (Labour). The council comprises 22 councillors seats, with the most recent election held on 5 May 2022.

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

The council area encompasses 31 towns and villages, including Gourock, Greenock and Port Glasgow. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search Inverclyde Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for Inverclyde Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the Inverclyde Council area. Unlike the official Inverclyde 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 Inverclyde 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 Inverclyde Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 246 planning applications Inverclyde Council received. Of these, 73% were approved, with an average decision time of 62 days.

This is below the national average of approximately 87%, which may reflect stricter local policies, sensitivity of the area, or higher levels of speculative applications. Pre-application advice is particularly worthwhile in Inverclyde Council.

At 62 days on average, decisions in Inverclyde Council slightly exceed the 8-week statutory target for minor applications, though this is common across many councils.

The most common application types in Inverclyde Council were full planning applications (118), outline applications (21), tree works (19). Full planning applications account for 48% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.

In terms of development scale, 1 large-scale (major) development, 179 smaller schemes were submitted.

Application Outcomes

Approved: 29 applications
Refused: 6 applications
Withdrawn: 5 applications
Awaiting decision: 206 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.