BL3 planning approval rate
The BL3 postcode area falls under Bolton council, which has a 87.8% planning approval rate based on 3,753 decisions.
Last updated: April 2026
87.8%
Bolton approval rate
What this means for BL3
If you're planning a project in the BL3 area, your application will be decided by Bolton council. Based on historical data, around 12.2% of applications are refused. The approval rate varies by ward and application type — use our free tool to check your specific property.
What gets approved near your property?
In Bolton, 1 in 8 applications are refused. Your PlanningLens Pro Report gives you 17 pages of intelligence specific to your property:
✓ Ward-level approval rates for your exact area
✓ Common refusal reasons in Bolton
✓ Your 10 nearest comparable planning decisions
✓ Appeal success rates
✓ PDF report to share with your architect
Get Bolton Pro Report — £79
✓ Common refusal reasons in Bolton
✓ Your 10 nearest comparable planning decisions
✓ Appeal success rates
✓ PDF report to share with your architect
Less than one set of revised drawings. Based on 3,753 decisions.
Bolton approval by application type
Full
90.3%
Trees
91.3%
Change of Use
84.5%
Other
75.6%
Certificate of Lawfulness
87.3%
Discharge of Conditions
94.2%
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92.8%
Prior Approval
77.0%
Listed Building
87.9%