40 Bolton Road Bolton BL5 3DG Data via plota.co.uk

00220/26 - Prior Approval Offices to Dwellings Refused

Proposal

PRIOR APPROVAL APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF USE FROM DENTAL CLINIC (CLASS E(e)) TO 2 NO. SELF CONTAINED APARTMENTS (CLASS C3) Data via plota.co.uk

View original council record ↗

Application progress

Received
10 Feb 2026
Consultation
10 Feb 2026
Refused
2 Apr 2026
Appeal
Not lodged

Refused on 2 Apr 2026 · Delegated Decision · Last checked 6 Jul 2026

Important details

Council
Bolton
Application type
Prior Approval Offices to Dwellings
Postcode
BL5 3DG
Received
10 Feb 2026
Validated
10 Feb 2026
Ward
Westhoughton North & Hunger Hill
Parish
Westhoughton Town Council
Case officer
Show
Target decision
7 Apr 2026
Decision
Prior Approval is Required and Refused
Decision date
2 Apr 2026
Decision level
Delegated Decision
Applicant
Show
Agent
WhiteleyEaves Ltd

Consultation & key dates

Alt. reference
PP-14690516
Neighbours
10 Feb 2026
Consultation
10 Feb 2026
Comments by
3 Mar 2026
Env. assessment
No
Bolton
Planning Authority Score
2.5/10
Poor
#250 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Change of use

Bolton is slower than most councils at deciding householder applications, ranking #229 out of 296. Bolton is also one of the strictest councils - it refuses more householder applications than almost any other, with only 83% approved vs 90% nationally.

One of the strictest councils
only 83% approved vs 90% nationally
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
Bolton decision performance
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
79%
Overall approval rate
Below avg (87%) #263 of 296
83%
Householder approved
Below avg (90%) #259 of 296
51%
Decided in 8 weeks
Below avg (63%) #229 of 296
44%
Extended time limit
Above avg (41%) #175 of 296
63%
Minor dwellings approved
70 decided (1-9 homes)
83%
Major dwellings approved
12 decided (10+ homes)
62%
Change of use approved
113 decided
996
Total decisions
208 refused in the year to March 2026