Planning applications in Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

Approved

94%

of 66 decided applications

Typical time to a decision

77

days from validation, over 71 decisions

Registered in the last 90 days

251

71 decided in that time

#27 of 56 for share approved#58 of 59 for speedAll councils we read: 92% approved

In short

Of 66 decided applications we have read at Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council in the last two years, 94% were approved.

That is number 27 of the 56 councils we have published a rate for.

A decision typically takes 77 days from validation.

It approves new homes more often (94% of 18) than changes of use (70% of 10).

Written automatically from the figures on this page. It adds nothing the numbers do not show. It describes this council's record and does not predict any single application.

AI-written

Analyst note on Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

Written by an AI model from the figures on this page only, and checked so it cannot introduce a number that is not here. It describes the council's record, does not predict any application, and is not advice. Refreshed daily.

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How does Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council treat your kind of scheme?

We have read too few decided advertisements and signage at Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council to publish a rate yet (we need 10). Across the 56 councils with figures it is 86% approved, from 58 decisions.

This is the council's record for this kind of scheme, not a prediction for yours. Whether a specific scheme succeeds depends on the site, the design and the neighbours.

Have a particular site in Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council? On Pro (£5 a month) every application shows how schemes with the same features fared here, approved precedents nearby, and what earlier applications on the same site were refused for.

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What Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council approves, by kind of scheme

Only kinds with at least 10 decided applications are shown.

  • new homes94% approved · 18 decided · 93 days
  • changes of use70% approved · 10 decided · 88 days

Why Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council refuses

We have read 4 refusal notices here and need 5 before we describe a pattern. Councils publish these notices at different times, so this fills in as we read more.

Recent activity

Applications registered per week, last 12 weeks

Most common kinds in the last 90 days

  • new homes56
  • changes of use27
  • extensions and alterations26
  • demolition24

Latest applications in Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

As registered with the council. Open any one with a free account to see how this council treats schemes like it.

Set Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council against another council

Where Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council sits

Point at a dot to see a council. Darker means a higher share of decided applications approved.

85% or more70 to 84%50 to 69%under 50%too little history

Nearby councils

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Questions people ask about Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

What is the planning approval rate in Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council?
Of 66 decided applications we have read at Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council in the last two years, 94% were approved. Withdrawn and unclear outcomes are not counted. These are the applications we have read, not the council's full archive.
How long does Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council take to decide a planning application?
The typical time from validation to decision is 77 days, across 71 decisions we have read.

Where these figures come from

Worked out from 293 applications we have read from Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council's own public planning register, with decisions between 14 October 2026 and 30 October 2026. Last read 6 November 2026. A rate needs at least 10 decided applications. Withdrawn and unclear outcomes are not counted, and neither are discharges of conditions, minor amendments, certificates of lawfulness or prior-approval notices, which are not decisions on a scheme. These are the applications we have read, not the council's full archive. The council's own record is the official source — its planning register. Planning data is public sector information under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Know the day something is registered in Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

Set an alert for your postcode and we email you when an application appears and again when it is decided. Free for 5 alerts. Pro is £5 a month and adds the council record, nearby precedents and site history on every application.

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