Planning authority
Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
Adopted plan 2.6 years old; plan in preparation: early consultation; HDT 87%.
Adopted plan
| Plan | Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan |
| Adopted | 21 March 2024 |
| Age | 2.6 years |
| Plan period | 2022–2039 |
| Housing requirement | 175,185 homes |
| Council's page | The adopted plan |
Plan in preparation
| Plan | Emerging Local Plan |
| Stage | Early consultation |
| Next dated event | None dated |
| Council's page | The plan in preparation |
From the national planning data platform, which can lag behind the council. Known gaps
Housing Delivery Test
| Measurement | 87% (2025) |
Applications
| Period | July 2025 to June 2026 |
| Received | 1,059 |
| Decided | 992 |
| Granted | 781 (79%; England 87%) |
| Refused | 211 |
| Major applications decided | 40, of which 33 granted |
| Quarter | Received | Decided | Granted | Refused |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July to September 2025 | 273 | 274 | 229 | 45 |
| October to December 2025 | 235 | 237 | 183 | 54 |
| January to March 2026 | 297 | 227 | 167 | 60 |
| April to June 2026 | 254 | 254 | 202 | 52 |
Appeals
| Decided | 1 September 2021 to 28 August 2026 |
| Planning appeals | 119: 41 allowed, 0 split, 78 dismissed |
| Householder appeals | 84: 11 allowed, 1 split, 72 dismissed |
| Allowed in full or in part | 26% (England 32%) |
Latest planning appeals
| Decided | Site | Development | Procedure | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 August 2026 | 50 St Helens Road, Bolton, BL3 3NH Application 00060/26 | Minor retail and services | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 3 August 2026 | 81, Church Street, Bolton, BL5 3RZ Application 21400/25 | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 28 July 2026 | Unit 17 Spring Street Business Park, Spring Street, Bolton, BL3 6EH Application 00098/26 | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 13 July 2026 | 33 Mercia Street, Bolton, BL3 4BZ Application 20757/25 | Change of use | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 10 July 2026 | 37 Marsh Lane, Farnworth, Lancashire, BL4 0AP Application 21581/25 | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 10 July 2026 | 116-118 Long Causeway, Bolton, BL4 9BL Application 21110/25 | Minor general industry/storage/warehousing | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 7 July 2026 | 27 Victoria Grove, Bolton, BL1 4JW Application 21395/25 | Change of use | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 7 July 2026 | Land to the south of Sunnybank, Bridge Street, Prestolee, Bolton, M26 1HL Application 21492/25 | Change of use | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 29 June 2026 | 18 Wardle Street, Bolton, BL2 1ND Application 21060/25 | Change of use | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 16 April 2026 | Victoria Mission, Hardman Street, Bolton, BL4 9JU Application 21069/25 | Change of use, 1 home | Written Representations | Dismissed |
Each outcome links to the case on the Planning Inspectorate's site, where the decision letter is published.
Changes recorded
No changes recorded since the tracker started.