Apply for Planning Permission
Apply for Planning Permission
1. Designation Under Section 62A
The Secretary of State has designated Rossendale Borough Council in respect of applications for planning permission for major development under Section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This is because the Council exceeded the threshold of less than 10% of the authority's major decisions being overturned at appeal over a two-year period up to the end of March 2025. The overturn rate for the Council in respect of major appeals was 15.4%.
This situation resulted from a total of two major residential applications (which were refused by the Council’s Development Control Committee contrary to officers’ recommendation) being overturned on appeal. The two applications in question were 2022/0543 (Land at Fieldfare Way, Bacup) and 2023/0462 (Land South of Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall).
The designation has effect from Monday 15 June 2026. It means that applicants are now able to submit major planning applications either to the Council as normal, or directly to the Planning Inspectorate if they prefer. More information on this procedure will be made available soon, however some guidance from the Planning Inspectorate is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/planning-applications-s62a
Other application types are unaffected by the designation.
The Rossendale Designation Letter and Designation Notice can be viewed via the links below:
2. How to Apply
The easiest way to apply for planning permission is via the Planning Portal. On the Planning Portal you will be able to register, complete your application form, upload supporting documents (plans and statements) and pay fees online.
For information about costs of applying for planning permission, view the Government's fee guide or use the Planning Portal fee calculator.
If necessary, you can download and complete a paper copy of an application form.
The fee can be paid:
- over the phone (01706 217777 option 4) by debit or credit card; or
- by cheque - Payable to Rossendale Borough Council – please quote ‘Planning Fee’ on back of cheque; or
- Via on-line banking:
- A/C Name: Rossendale Borough Council
- Sort Code: 01-07-29
- A/C Number: 25503391
- Please quote: PLANNING FEE
2. About the Application Process
Once your application has been received it will be allocated a reference number and will be passed through to one of our Planning Officers to validate and check that all the necessary documents and plans have been received. The application will be validated as soon as reasonably possible and then the determination period will begin.
For guidance on what supporting and additional information is required for submitting a Planning Application to us, you can view our re-published Validation Checklist.
To learn how planning applications are decided and the options you have once a decision has been made, visit the Planning Portal’s ‘The decision-making process’
3. When a Decision is Made
Once a decision is issued, you will be notified by email or letter of our decision to grant or refuse planning permission. If the decision is a refusal it will also contain detailed information about how to appeal.