Planning, building and conservation

Find planning applications

All our planning applications are listed on our website.

Search planning applications
A bricklayer laying a row of bricks.

Check if you need planning permission

Not all work requires planning permission. You can check online if your planned work does.

More on homeowner planning permission
Roofers working on a house roof.

Book a building inspection

You need to notify us at certain stages of the building work so we can inspect the work to check it complies before you continue building.

More on booking a building inspection
An engineer examining a building.

Planning account

All planning applications within the borough are on our Planning Portal. You can view an application without registering for an account, however, by registering for an account you can track the progress of an application and more.

How to sign in or register to the Planning Portal
Close up of hands using a smartphone with a laptop close by.

Planning rules for common projects

  • A back garden fence.

    Fences, gates and garden walls

    You will not need to apply for planning permission if you wish to erect a new; or alter, maintain, improve or take down an existing fence, wall or gate if you meet certain conditions.

  • An extension being constructed for a house.

    Extensions

    Rules, known as ‘permitted development’ rights, allow you to extend a house without needing to apply for planning permission if specific limitations and conditions are met.

  • A front door and window of a terraced house.

    Doors and windows

    You do not usually need to apply for planning permission for certain works.

Living in the borough

  • A row of newly built houses.

    Housing

    View information about housing options, home improvements, moving to the borough and more.

  • An old busy street scene of Rochdale town centre.

    Local history

    Rochdale's history can be traced right back to the Doomsday Book in 1086.

  • Artist impression of new build flats.

    Improving the borough

    We’re working hard to make Rochdale borough a better place for shoppers, visitors and businesses.

Decision making

  • cartoon image of people with a giant filing system

    Policies, strategies and reviews

    We use policy and strategy documents to guide our decisions. We also use them to develop and run our services fairly and consistently.

  • Councillor's committees

    Councillors and committees

    Councillors are responsible for agreeing provision of services and how the council's money is spent.