Planiverse / Authorities / Cheshire East

Planning permission in Cheshire East

We don't yet have enough recent decisions in Cheshire East to show a reliable approval rate. The figures below cover all application types on record.

Across all application types, 86.0% of 7,155 applications decided since June 2023 were approved. Based on Cheshire East's public planning register. Data last updated: 30 May 2026.

12,173Total applications
7,155Decided
86.0%Approval rate (of decided)
6,155 Approved+1,000 Refused+477 Withdrawn+13 Pending+4,528 Outcome not determined=12,173 Total
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By Development Category

All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 2,797 2,492 305
89.1%
Full planning applications 1,310 1,018 292
77.7%
Discharging planning conditions 946 870 76
92.0%
Protected tree works (TPO) 508 476 32
93.7%
Changing a planning condition (S73) 336 307 29
91.4%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 336 296 40
88.1%
Listed Building Consent 232 212 20
91.4%
Advertisement Consent 162 150 12
92.6%
Prior Approval: Agricultural and Forestry Development 92 46 46
50.0%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval) 74 63 11
85.1%
Permission in Principle 47 20 27
42.6%
Prior approval (permitted development) 45 21 24 outcome not determined
Outline Planning 37 19 18
51.4%
Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) 35 30 5
85.7%
Tree works in a conservation area 29 29 0 outcome not determined
Other* 169 106 63 mixed types

Prior approval (permitted development): 72 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.

Tree works in a conservation area: 210 applications where we could not determine the outcome from the data we hold, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (16), Prior Approval: Change of use - Commercial, business and service to residential (16), Prior Approval: Demolition of Building (15), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (14), DETERMINATION (AGRICULTURAL/FORESTRY) (14), EIA screening / scoping (13), Prior Approval: Solar Photovoltaics (non domestic) (13), Prior Approval: Change of use - All Other (12), Prior Approval: Change of use - Agricultural to residential (12), Prior Approval - COU (9), Prior Approval: Change of use - agriculture to flexible commercial use (8), OUTLINE PLANNING (6), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (6), Prior Approval: Change of use - commercial/business/service/etc to mixed use including up to two flats (4), Phone masts and telecoms (4), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (1), Environmental impact screening and scoping (1), Demolition (1), Release from Legal Obligations (1), Prior Approval: Change of use - offices to dwellinghouses (1), Electricity Act Development (Circ 14/90) (1), Hedgerow Removal (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 185 163
88.1%
Q4 2023 665 584
87.8%
Q1 2024 678 577
85.1%
Q2 2024 737 615
83.4%
Q3 2024 716 583
81.4%
Q4 2024 157 132
84.1%
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 469 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 76.7% in Mobberley to 92.9% in Knutsford, a gap of 16.2 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Brereton Rural 319 251 68
78.7%
Wilmslow West and Chorley 318 265 53
83.3%
Chelford 257 214 43
83.3%
Prestbury 246 195 51
79.3%
Knutsford 240 223 17
92.9%
Alderley Edge 212 186 26
87.7%
High Legh 204 169 35
82.8%
Wilmslow East 191 172 19
90.1%
Poynton West and Adlington 189 163 26
86.2%
Gawsworth 188 165 23
87.8%
Mobberley 172 132 40
76.7%
Poynton East and Pott Shrigley 171 147 24
86.0%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Cheshire East?
Across all application types, 86.0% of 7,155 applications decided in Cheshire East since June 2023 were approved.
Do I need planning permission in Cheshire East?
It depends on the project and the property. Many home projects fall under permitted development rights, but constraints such as conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions change what needs permission at a specific address. See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.
Do I need a planning consultant in Cheshire East?
Many home projects do not need one. A straightforward extension on an unconstrained property is often handled directly with the council, or with an architect or agent preparing the drawings. A consultant is more likely to earn their fee where the site is constrained, the council has refused similar schemes, or an appeal is in prospect. Understanding your property's constraints and the council's recent decisions first makes any conversation with a professional a better-informed one.
Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights, Article 4 directions and planning costs.

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