How many planning applications has Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council received?

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council received 737 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 83%.

How long does Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council take to decide planning applications?

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council takes an average of 43 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 Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council?

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council approves 83% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council?

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

Can I appeal a Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council planning decision?

Yes. If Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council refuses your planning application, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 408 appeals were lodged against Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council decisions in the last 24 months, with a 28% success rate.

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council Planning Applications

Q: How do I search Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council planning applications?

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

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

Region: North West

About Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Rochdale Borough Council serves as the local authority for the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale in Greater Manchester, England, overseeing a wide range of local government services. Since joining the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in 2011, the council has played a crucial role in regional governance and planning initiatives, making it an important point of reference for anyone researching planning applications in the area.

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in Rochdale Metropolitan Borough 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

Average property sale price: £216,293 (based on 50 recent transactions from HM Land Registry).

Area Information

Admin district: Wigan
Parliamentary constituency: Makerfield
LSOA: Wigan 026C

Crime Statistics

0 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Keyword Scorecard

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

Towns and villages in Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

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

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council area.

Monitoring Stations

7 flood monitoring stations near Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council.

Wigan (River Douglas)
Red Rock (River Douglas)
Appley Bridge (River Douglas)
Little Woolden Hall (Glaze Brook)
Causey Bridge (Sankey Brook)
Penleach
Lilford Park, Leigh (Atherton Lake Brook)

A brief summary of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

The average property sale price in the Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council area is £216,293, based on 50 recent transactions.

There were no crimes reported in the Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council area during the most recent reporting period.

Ecology & Nature Designations

The Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council area includes 2 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): Bryn Marsh & Ince Moss SSSI, Abram Flashes SSSI. These designations may affect planning decisions, as proposals near protected sites require environmental impact assessment and may face additional restrictions.

The council area encompasses 656 towns and villages, including Abram, Altrincham, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Atherton and Bolton. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council Planning Applications

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

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 737 planning applications Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council received. Of these, 83% were approved, with an average decision time of 43 days.

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

The average decision time of 43 days is within the government's 8-week statutory target for minor applications, indicating an efficient planning department.

The most common application types in Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council were full planning applications (309), outline applications (191), discharge of conditions (131). Full planning applications account for 42% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.

In terms of development scale, 9 large-scale (major) developments, 75 medium-scale applications, 575 smaller schemes were submitted. The high volume of major applications indicates significant development pressure in the area, which may interest property developers and investors.

408 planning appeals were lodged against Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council decisions, of which 101 were allowed and 254 were dismissed (28% success rate).

Application Outcomes

Approved: 165 applications
Refused: 28 applications
Withdrawn: 7 applications
Awaiting decision: 537 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.