Planning permission in Cotswold

In the last 12 months, 89.9% of home project applications were approved in Cotswold (355 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about ten weeks (median 69 days).

Across all application types, 94.6% of 8,551 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Cotswold's public planning register. Data last updated: 8 August 2026.

10,012Total applications

8,551Decided

94.6%Approval rate (of decided)

8,091 Approved+460 Refused+533 Withdrawn+876 Pending+52 Outcome not determined=10,012 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	2,895	2,641	254	91.2%
Tree works in a conservation area	2,273	2,273	0	no refusals recorded
Listed Building Consent	833	774	59	92.9%
Compliance with conditions application	783	772	11	98.6%
Enforcement	429	426	3	99.3%
Protected tree works (TPO)	332	326	6	98.2%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	218	193	25	88.5%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	136	119	17	87.5%
Agricultural or Forestry Notification	120	96	24	80.0%
Dead/Dangerous	82	82	0	no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	68	57	11	83.8%
Advertisement Consent	68	60	8	88.2%
Conditions Biodiversity Gain Plan	44	40	4	90.9%
Permission in Principle	27	13	14	48.1%
Prior approval (permitted development)	22	20	2	90.9%
Reserved matters (detail after outline approval)	22	21	1	95.5%
Outline Planning	22	10	12	45.5%
Other*	177	168	9	mixed types

Tree works in a conservation area: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Dead/Dangerous: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Environmental impact screening and scoping (19), Overhead Electricity Lines (19), County Planning Consultation (17), Forestry Consultation (17), Prior Approval Notification - other (13), Prior Approval of Ag Forest Development (12), Neighbouring Authority Consutation (10), Footpath Order consultation from County (10), Agricultural to residential PAN (9), Notification of demolition (8), Cert of Lawful Works to Listed Building (6), Prior Approval Notific'n - solar panels (6), Hedgerow Removal (6), Technical detail consent (5), Demolition (5), Phone masts and telecoms (5), Discharge/modification planning oblig (4), Home extensions and alterations (householder) (3), Office to residential PAN (1), Discharging planning conditions (1).

Quarterly Trend

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

Quarter	Decided	Approved	Approval rate
Q3 2023	370	361	97.6%
Q4 2023	714	681	95.4%
Q1 2024	652	615	94.3%
Q2 2024	687	648	94.3%
Q3 2024	730	683	93.6%
Q4 2024	784	752	95.9%
Q1 2025	710	670	94.4%
Q2 2025	720	684	95.0%
Q3 2025	743	698	93.9%
Q4 2025	726	679	93.5%
Q1 2026	668	632	94.6%
Q2 2026	349	326	93.4%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	70	60	85.7%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 844 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 90.9% in Lechlade, Kempsford & Fairford South to 96.7% in Coln Valley, a gap of 5.8 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Campden & Vale	622	601	21	96.6%
Coln Valley	615	595	20	96.7%
Fosseridge	558	530	28	95.0%
Bourton Vale	494	468	26	94.7%
Lechlade, Kempsford & Fairford South	440	400	40	90.9%
The Ampneys & Hampton	414	389	25	94.0%
Sandywell	399	374	25	93.7%
Ermin	388	356	32	91.8%
Grumbolds Ash With Avening	370	352	18	95.1%
Kemble	350	334	16	95.4%
Blockley	347	326	21	93.9%
Chedworth & Churn Valley	340	315	25	92.6%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Cotswold?

In the last 12 months, 89.9% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Cotswold, based on 355 decided applications. Across all application types, 94.6% of 8,551 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Cotswold?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Cotswold in the last 12 months was 69 days (about ten weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Cotswold?

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 Cotswold?

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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