Atherton, Greater Manchester Planning Applications
Recent planning applications near Atherton, Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester · England · Town
Planning applications in Atherton are administered by Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council. View the full Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council planning applications page for approval rates and decision timelines.
About Atherton
Atherton, located in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in Greater Manchester, is a town with a rich industrial heritage, particularly as a significant site in the Manchester Coalfield during the Industrial Revolution. Situated five miles south of Bolton and ten miles northwest of Manchester, Atherton encompasses the areas of Hindsford, Howe Bridge, and Hag Fold. Historically known as Chowbent, or simply Bent, the town offers a diverse backdrop for planning applications, reflecting its evolving community and infrastructure.
Population: 22,000
District: Wigan
Enter a postcode to search for planning applications near Atherton.
Town Insights
Property Prices
Area Information
- Admin district: Wigan
- Parliamentary constituency: Leigh and Atherton
- LSOA: Wigan 023C
Crime Statistics
0 crimes reported in 2026-05.
Flood Risk
No active flood warnings near Atherton.
Keyword Scorecard
Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications near Atherton.
- 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 Atherton based on the last 24 months of planning data.
Nearby Applications
15 planning applications found near Atherton.
- - Footpath Adjacent Albion Business Park Bag Lane Atherton
Prior notification of installation of a 15m steel pole to support fibre cables and radio antennae together with associated cabinets housing electronic communications apparatus to form part of a high-s
Status: Undecided | Type: Telecoms | Council: Wigan | Date: 2026-07-02
View full details - - Collier Brook Farm Bag Lane Atherton Manchester M46 0JY
Condition Discharge application to discharge Condition No.7 (EV Car Chargers), Condition 10 (Mineworks Treatment Validation Report), Condition No.16 (Part O Letter), Condition No.17 (Biodiversity Enha
Status: Undecided | Type: Conditions | Council: Wigan | Date: 2026-06-03
View full details - - Collier Brook Farm Bag Lane Atherton Manchester M46 0JY
Condition Discharge application to discharge Condition No.3 (Materials) in respect of approved application A/22/93496/MAJOR
Status: Undecided | Type: Conditions | Council: Wigan | Date: 2026-05-27
View full details - - St Richards Roman Catholic Primary School Flapper Fold Lane Atherton Manchester M46 0HA
Condition Discharge application to discharge Condition No.3 (Fencing design & Colour), Condition No.4 (Contractors Compound Submission), Condition No.5 (Tree Protection), Condition No.6 (Landscaping),
Status: Undecided | Type: Conditions | Council: Wigan | Date: 2026-05-08
View full details - - Land To The West Of Stothert Street Atherton
Condition Discharge application to RE-DISCHARGE Condition No.4 (Boundary Treatments) and Condition No.20 (Hard and Soft Landscape Works) in respect of approved application A/23/95356/MAJOR
Status: Undecided | Type: Conditions | Council: Wigan | Date: 2026-04-02
View full details - - Belong Atherton 55 Mealhouse Lane Atherton Manchester M46 0EU
Installation of a replacement 4 metre high internally illuminated double sided, free standing totem
Status: Undecided | Type: Advertising | Council: Wigan | Date: 2026-03-03
View full details - - 36 Stanley Street Atherton Manchester M46 0AB
Single storey rear extension following demolition of existing rear extension
Status: Undecided | Type: Full | Council: Wigan | Date: 2026-02-19
View full details - - 24 Flapper Fold Lane Atherton Manchester M46 0FA
Certificate of Lawful Development for the existing use of a property as a 5 bed, 5 person house in multiple occupation (Use Class C4) together with single storey rear extension
Status: Undecided | Type: Amendment | Council: Wigan | Date: 2026-02-10
View full details - - 24 Flapper Fold Lane Atherton Manchester M46 0FA
Certificate of Lawful Development for the existing use of a property as a 5 bed, 5 person house in multiple occupation (Use Class 4) together with single storey rear extension
Status: Withdrawn | Type: Amendment | Council: Wigan | Date: 2025-11-28
View full details - - Collier Brook Farm Bag Lane Atherton Manchester M46 0JY
Condition Discharge application to DISCHARGE Condition No.13 (Contamination) in respect of approved application A/22/93496/MAJOR
Status: Permitted | Type: Conditions | Council: Wigan | Date: 2025-11-17
View full details - - Collier Brook Farm Bag Lane Atherton Manchester M46 0JY
Condition Discharge application to Discharge Condition No.9 (Foul & Surface Water Drainage) in respect of approved application A/22/93496/MAJOR
Status: Permitted | Type: Conditions | Council: Wigan | Date: 2025-10-27
View full details - - Pendle Witch 2 - 4 Warburton Place Atherton Manchester M46 0EQ
Non Material Amendment for previously approved application: A/24/97220/FULL Relocation of the door and windows and skylights on the front elevation
Status: Permitted | Type: Amendment | Council: Wigan | Date: 2025-05-07
View full details - - 16 Larch Grove Atherton Manchester M46 0HF
Single storey side extension
Status: Conditions | Type: Full | Council: Wigan | Date: 2024-11-28
View full details - - Rear Of 86 To 92 Bag Lane, Fronting Gloucester Street Atherton Manchester M46 0JS
Condition Discharge Application to discharge condition numbers 1 (Start date), 2( Approved Plans), 3 (Materials), 4 (EVCP), 5 (Site Contamination) 6 (Biodiversity), 7 (Bat and Bird Boxes), 8 (Drainage
Status: Permitted | Type: Conditions | Council: Wigan | Date: 2024-01-26
View full details - - Atherton St Georges Church Of England Primary School Derby Street Atherton Manchester M46 0HJ
Temporary classrooms
Status: Withdrawn | Council: Wigan | Date: 2023-11-29
View full details
Use the filter and sort options to search descriptions, addresses, and references. Sort by newest or oldest applications.
A brief summary of Atherton in Greater Manchester
Atherton, located in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in Greater Manchester, is a town with a rich industrial heritage, particularly as a significant site in the Manchester Coalfield during the Industrial Revolution. Situated five miles south of Bolton and ten miles northwest of Manchester, Atherton encompasses the areas of Hindsford, Howe Bridge, and Hag Fold. Historically known as Chowbent, or simply Bent, the town offers a diverse backdrop for planning applications, reflecting its evolving community and infrastructure. The Town has a population of approximately 22,000. It sits within the Wigan district.
There were no crimes reported in the immediate area during the most recent reporting period. This makes Atherton a particularly low-crime area.
Atherton has 2 conservation areas within its boundaries: Howe Bridge, Atherton, Market Place, Atherton. Planning applications within or near these conservation areas are subject to additional scrutiny to preserve the architectural and historic character of the area. Homeowners and developers should be aware that permitted development rights may be restricted.
Ecology & Nature Designations
The area around Atherton includes 1 Ancient Woodland site. These designations may affect planning decisions, as proposals near protected sites require environmental impact assessment and may face additional restrictions.
For anyone interested in property development or monitoring local planning decisions, Atherton planning applications can be searched by entering a local postcode above. Results include full application details, decision status, and the ability to track applications over time and set planning alerts to help you monitor and review pending planning applications.
Planning Activity in Atherton
In the last 24 months, 32 planning applications were submitted near Atherton. Of these, 82% were approved, with an average decision time of 75 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 near Atherton.
The average decision period of 75 days exceeds the 8-week target for minor applications but falls within the 13-week target for major schemes. Applicants should plan for approximately 11 weeks from submission to decision.
The most common application types near Atherton were discharge of conditions (9), full planning applications (8), outline applications (8).
In terms of development scale, 6 medium-scale applications, 26 smaller schemes were submitted.
Nearby Towns
Explore planning applications in nearby areas:
- Hag Fold planning applications
- Howe Bridge planning applications
- Hindsford planning applications
- Dangerous Corner planning applications
- Shakerley planning applications
- Pickley Green planning applications
- Daisy Hill planning applications
- Water's Nook planning 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.