Which ward in Sefton has the highest planning approval rate?

Ravenmeols Ward at 92.8% based on 401 decisions.

Which ward in Sefton has the lowest planning approval rate?

Derby Ward at 77.5% based on 173 decisions.

How much do planning approval rates vary across Sefton?

There is a 15.3% gap between Ravenmeols Ward and Derby Ward. Your postcode significantly affects outcomes.

Planning Approval Rates by Ward in Sefton

Planning outcomes in Sefton are highly localised. The gap between the most and least permissive wards is 15.3% — that's not noise, it's a fundamentally different planning environment depending on where you live.

7,121 real decisions·22 wards·Updated August 2026

88.0% approved overall. But 853 applications refused since 2020. Where you live in Sefton shifts your odds by up to 15.3%. The council average doesn't tell you which side of that gap you're on.

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All 22 wards ranked

#	Ward	Decisions	Approved	Refused	Rate
1	Ravenmeols Ward	401	372	29	92.8%
2	Ainsdale Ward	307	281	26	91.5%
3	Cambridge Ward	221	201	20	91.0%
4	Meols Ward	354	321	33	90.7%
5	Litherland Ward	145	131	14	90.3%
6	Kew Ward	205	185	20	90.2%
7	Harington Ward	718	645	73	89.8%
8	Blundellsands Ward	492	442	50	89.8%
9	St Oswald Ward	86	77	9	89.5%
10	Victoria Ward	252	223	29	88.5%
11	Birkdale Ward	342	302	40	88.3%
12	Park Ward	408	360	48	88.2%
13	Sudell Ward	295	259	36	87.8%
14	Dukes Ward	821	719	102	87.6%
15	Netherton And Orrell Ward	193	167	26	86.5%
16	Manor Ward	457	393	64	86.0%
17	Ford Ward	131	112	19	85.5%
18	Norwood Ward	210	179	31	85.2%
19	Molyneux Ward	341	290	51	85.0%
20	Linacre Ward	191	158	33	82.7%
21	Church Ward	340	280	60	82.4%
22	Derby Ward	173	134	39	77.5%

See how this applies to your postcode →

These are council averages. Your property is specific.

An extension might sail through in Ravenmeols Ward but face serious resistance in Derby Ward.
Check your postcode to see what actually happens near your address.

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What the data tells us

A 15.3% gap separates the best and worst wards. Ravenmeols Ward approves 92.8% of applications while Derby Ward approves just 77.5%. That's a fundamentally different planning environment.

High volume doesn't mean high approval. Some of the busiest wards aren't the most permissive. The number of applications a ward processes tells you nothing about how likely yours is to succeed.

Ward averages are a starting point, not a guarantee. Your specific outcome depends on your property, your neighbours, your proposal type and the comparable decisions near your address.

Before you spend £5,000+ on architects and drawings

853 planning applications in Sefton have been refused since 2020. Many of those homeowners had already paid for drawings and application fees. A free, property-specific report shows you what gets approved — and what gets refused — near your property.

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More Sefton planning data

Nearby councils ward breakdowns

Methodology: Covers 7,121 planning decisions in Sefton, January 2020 to August 2026. Approval rate = approved / (approved + refused). Pending, withdrawn and invalid excluded. Ward boundaries reflect current electoral divisions. Data from Sefton Council's public planning portal. Full methodology →