Lichfield District is a historic area, with the city itself famous as the birthplace of Dr. Samuel Johnson and for its distinctive medieval cathedral. The district covers a mix of historic city centre streets, suburban housing, rural villages and countryside locations. Planning applications in the district are determined by Lichfield District Council as the relevant Local Planning Authority (LPA), with Lichfield City Council consulted on applications within the city boundary but not responsible for making the final planning decision.
The diverse nature of Lichfield means that the criteria for making a successful planning application varies considerably by area and the type of property you own. Lichfield City itself has a significant historic environment, multiple conservation areas and Article 4 controls in specific locations. Broader Lichfield District includes substantial areas of Green Belt, stretching down to Little Aston just north of Sutton Coldfield. Making a successful application in Lichfield take requires taking relevant local factors like these into account.
This guide explains how applying for planning permission in Lichfield works and the main local factors to check before submitting your application.
The Planning Application Process in Lichfield
Most planning applications in Lichfield District are submitted through the Planning Portal and then validated and determined by Lichfield District Council. The council publishes broader planning validation guidance notes and local requirements which set out the information needed for your application. These local requirements sit alongside the national application requirements and may include additional documents depending on the type of development proposed and the constraints affecting the site.
The Process in Lichfield
Once an application is submitted, Lichfield District Council will check whether the correct forms, ownership certificates, plans, drawings and supporting information have been provided. The council provides an online planning register where users can search planning applications, appeals, planning histories and enforcement notices dating from 1997 onwards. It’s worth noting that the system isn’t fully digitised yet, the council currently notes that documents associated with applications from 1997 to 2005 and planning appeals before 2020 are available on request rather than directly through the online system.
After validation, applications are usually publicised for consultation. In-line with national rules Lichfield District Council normally gives third parties up to 21 days for people to give their views on a planning application, and comments can be made online or by email using the planning application reference number.
Most applications in Lichfield will be determined by a planning officer, but larger or more complex schemes may be determined by Lichfield District Council’s planning committee. Around 10% of all planning applications in Lichfield are referred to the Planning Committee, and if your application is sensitive, attracts objections or involves a listed building the likelihood of being referred to committee will be higher.
Timetable for a Decision
For most householder and minor applications, the national statutory determination period is eight weeks, but you should expect to allow time for validation, consultation responses and any requests for clarification. Since 2025 Lichfield District council has launched a number of initiatives aimed at speeding up the planning process. The net result of these efforts is that in April 2025 98% of applications were being determined within the 8-week statutory limit and 64% were being determined within 6 weeks, a score that ranked Lichfield as the fastest LPA in England during 2025 for determining planning applications.
Our general guide to applying for planning permission explains specific elements of the application process in more detail from a national perspective.
General Planning Restrictions in Lichfield
Lichfield District’s planning constraints different substantially from neighbouring urban LPAs such as Birmingham. The district includes Lichfield city, Burntwood, smaller villages and a substantial amount of countryside. Depending on the location of your property your application may be affected by countryside policy, Green Belt, settlement boundaries and historic environment considerations.
Lichfield’s Green Belt and Rural Development
The Green Belt is one of the most important planning constraints in Lichfield District. Lichfield District Council’s planning evidence base includes the local Green Belt review, and it’s possible to explore the boundaries of the Lichfield District Council Green Belt through the government’s Local Plan Interactive Viewer.
If your property in Lichfield District is cited within the Green Belt, outside of a defined settlement boundary you are likely to face additional challenges with homeowner and landowner applications. However, the 2021-2024 Green Belt review identified several zones with development potential in the Green Belt (the Grey Belt) that have already resulted in substantial plans being approved. As Lichfield District Council is currently unable to demonstrate a sustainable 5-year housing supply there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development within the Grey Belt, and properties sited within Grey Belt land may be able to benefit from this.
The Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plans
Planning applications in Lichfield District are assessed against the adopted development plan, including the Lichfield District Local Plan Strategy 2008 to 2029 adopted in 2015. Depending on where your property is located neighbourhood plans can also be relevant. Since 2018 the Lichfield City Neighbourhood Plan has formed part of the development plan for Lichfield District. If your property is within a neighbourhood plan area, the neighbourhood plan policies on design, local character, housing, heritage or commercial development may affect how your application is assessed.
Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings in Lichfield
Lichfield is a historic area, and heritage constraints are often central to planning decisions. The city itself includes nationally recognised historic buildings such as the cathedral, whilst the wider district contains village conservation areas, locally important buildings and sensitive rural settings.
Lichfield District Conservation Areas
There are currently 21 conservation areas in the area covered by Lichfield District Council. You can use the council’s conservation area service to check if your property is located within one of these areas.
If your property is in one of Lichfield District’s conservation areas then the design, materials and visual impact of your proposal will usually be assessed more carefully. You will face additional restrictions if your property is located in an area covered by an Article 4 Direction. Article 4 directions are designed to restrict permitted development rights in a conservation area, and Lichfield has substantial restrictions on permitted development rights in these areas. Alterations such as installing or altering windows and doors, extensions, roof alterations, erecting fences and a large number of other permitted development rights are removed in these areas and require planning permission.
The council’s current schedule of Article 4 properties lists a small number of affected addresses on Frog Lane, Curborough Road, Gaia Lane and St Chad’s Road. Whilst the vast majority of properties in the district fall outside of these areas, applications in adjacent areas are also likely to receive a higher level of scrutiny due to proximity to heritage assets.
Listed and Locally Listed Buildings
If your property is listed, listed building consent may be required as well as planning permission. Lichfield District Council surveys Grade II nationally listed buildings in the district. It is also possible for your property to be locally listed, which differs from a national listing but also confers some restrictions. The council maintains a list of locally listed buildings that can be checked. Local listing is uncommon, only around 500 buildings and structures across the district are locally listed, but as with Article 4 directions proximity to a locally listed building may mean that your application attracts a higher level of scrutiny.
Check the Following Before Applying for Planning Permission in Lichfield
Before submitting a planning application for a property covered by Lichfield District Council you should check for relevant local restrictions covering your property. These include whether the property is in the Green Belt or Grey Belt, within a conservation area, affected by an Article 4 Direction, listing status or covered by a neighbourhood plan. It is also advisable to use Lichfield District Council’s online planning register to check the planning history of your property, as that will impact on your permitted development rights. We cover the impact of planning history on permitted development rights in our guide to this issue.
It is also worth checking nearby applications before finalising your design. This will not guarantee the result of your own application, but it can show how Lichfield District Council has recently approached similar proposals in the area.
Where your proposal is in a sensitive location, pre-application advice or early professional review can be helpful. Lichfield District Council also provides a planning enquiry tool for applicants seeking to understand whether permission may be required for common projects such as extensions or roof conversions.
How a Planning Consultant Can Help
Successfully applying for planning permission in Lichfield requires a thorough understanding of national planning rules and the district’s local constraints. An RTPI chartered planning consultant can review your property, identify relevant local restrictions, prepare and submit your application and manage communication with Lichfield District Council.
At Holland Lloyd we are proud of our relevant expertise in the Lichfield district, and have a substantial track record of advising homeowners, landowners and developers across the area. Whether you are planning an extension, working on a heritage property, assessing a rural site or preparing a larger development proposal, our Planning Support Service for Homeowners and Developers & Landowners Services can support the preparation of your Lichfield planning application. Contact us today for advice and support.
FAQs
How long does planning permission take in Lichfield?
For most householder and minor applications, the standard national target is 8 weeks from validation. Lichfield District Council is currently determining virtually all applications within the 8-week statutory period, and a majority of applications are being determined within 6 weeks.
How do I check planning applications in Lichfield?
Lichfield District Council provides an online planning register where you can search planning applications, appeals, planning histories and enforcement notices dating from 1997 onwards.
Does Lichfield have conservation areas?
There are 21 conservation areas in the area covered by Lichfield District Council. The council provides conservation area information and mapping through its website and interactive mapping tools.
Are there Article 4 Directions in Lichfield?
Article 4 Directions affect properties on Mousley Terrace, Frog Lane and the St Chad’s extension to Lichfield city, with restrictions on various external alterations and works.