Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council planning applications
Data as of 5 November 2026
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council decided more than 1,600 planning applications in the twelve months to 5 November 2026. It refused 8% of those it approved or refused, about the same as the middle UK council (9%), and took a median of 54 days to decide one.
Look up one application
Search by reference or address on Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council’s own planning portal. Or ask Claude, with the PlanningLedger connector, to find it and read its officer report and decision notice (mcp.planningledger.com).
Recent major decisions
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8 July 2026 · Refused
2A Queens Road Southport PR9 9HN · DC/2026/00044
Figures for Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
| Applications decided | more than 1,600 |
|---|---|
| Share refusedof those approved or refused | 8%middle UK council 9% |
| Median time to a decisionfrom the valid date | 54 daysmiddle UK council 55 days |
| Householder applications refusedextensions, lofts, outbuildings | Not enough typed decisions |
| Appeals decidedin the last three years | more than 120 |
| Appeals allowedof those decided on their merits | 38%about one in three |
| Officer reports and decision notices searchable | back to 2017 |
| Local Plan policies held | 32plan adopted 2017 |
What inspectors decide appeals on
In their own words, from recent appeal decisions on Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council’s planning applications.
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“The main issue is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.”
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“The main issues raised by this appeal are: • the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area; • the effect of the proposed development on existing trees; and • whether the proposed development makes…”
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“The first main issue is whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt including the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt having regard to the Framework1. The second main issue is the…”
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“The main issues are: • the effect of the proposal on the significance of the existing building; • the effect of the proposal on trees; • the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area; •…”
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“The main issues are: • The effect of the proposed development upon the character and appearance of the host building and surrounding area, including the effect on trees and vegetation; and • Whether or not the proposed development would provide…”
How we count, and what each figure leaves out: methodology. The council’s own register is the record, and each application links to it.