Planning Policy in Hyndburn
Planning policies shape how the Borough will develop in the future and are produced as part of a Local Plan for the Borough. They provide the policy framework for the long-term development of the Borough and are the basis upon which decisions on planning applications are made.
What is a Local Plan?
A local plan sets out the vision and a spatial framework for the future development of the Councils area, it addresses need and sets out opportunities in relation to a range of issues. These usually include housing, the economy, community facilities and supporting infrastructure such as transportation, schools, health facilities and open space. The plan also includes a number of detailed policies for assessing individual planning applications.
A local plan can help us to protect the natural environment, support healthy and active lifestyles, respond to climate change, protect the amenity of residents, and ensure that new development is well designed.
On the 16 July 2026 the Council adopted its Local Plan. The Development Plan for Hyndburn Borough Council is the following.
View the Adopted 2040: Policies and Site Allocations Adopted Local Plan 2040 (Strategic Policies and Site Allocations)
View the Development Management Development Plan Document Adopted January 2012 Development Management DPD Adoption Version (text only)
Adopted Accrington Area Action Plan
Lancashire Minerals and Waste Plan
View the Supplementary Planning Documents that the Council produces to support the core policies of the Local Plan
New Plan-Making System
Find out about the new Plan-Making System, the Councils Notice of Intent to Plan-Make and the timetable for the new Local Plan New Plan-Making System
5 Year Housing Land Supply
Local Planning Authorities should identify and update annually a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide five years’ supply of housing. Set out below is the Council`s 5 Year Supply Statement and evidence.
5 Year Housing Land Supply years prior to 2025/26
Hyndburn 5 Year Supply Statement 2025/26
Housing Monitoring Details 2025/26
Authority Monitoring Report
The Authority Monitoring Report (AMR), previously known as Annual Monitoring Report, assesses the progress of the Local Plan and monitors the effectiveness of policies. Authority monitoring reports cover financial years.
Previous Authority Monitoring Reports
Authority Monitoring Report 2025-2026
Article 4 Directions
An Article 4 Direction is a planning tool used by local councils to remove “permitted development rights” meaning you will need full planning permission for certain alterations or changes of use that normally wouldn’t require it. Councils use them in specific areas (like conservation zones) to protect local character or tightly control housing supply (e.g., HMOs)
For details of Article 4 Directions in the Borough Article 4 Directions and Conservation Areas in Hyndburn
The Planning Policy Team may be contacted at planningpolicy@hyndburnbc.gov.uk
Information about submitting a planning applications can be found here Do You Need Planning Permission?
Submitting a planning application? Submitting a Planning Application
View planning applications in Hyndburn`s Area Planning Application Search