Planning permission in South Gloucestershire

In the last 12 months, 87.3% of home project applications were approved in South Gloucestershire (157 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types, 87.5% of 2,770 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on South Gloucestershire's public planning register. Data last updated: 7 April 2026.

3,249Total applications

2,770Decided

87.5%Approval rate (of decided)

2,423 Approved+347 Refused+116 Withdrawn+333 Pending+30 Outcome not determined=3,249 Total

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Decision Level

3,201Delegated

By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	785	665	120	84.7%
Full planning applications	474	369	105	77.8%
Discharging planning conditions	383	383	0	no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	170	149	21	87.6%
Protected tree works (TPO)	151	138	13	91.4%
Tree works in a conservation area	150	147	3	98.0%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	133	107	26	80.5%
Prior approval (permitted development)	105	88	17	83.8%
Removal Var Con Sec73	84	78	6	92.9%
Listed Building Consent	82	79	3	96.3%
Advertisement Consent	76	76	0	no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	47	40	7	85.1%
Environmental impact screening and scoping	23	23	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	107	81	26	mixed types

Discharging planning conditions: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Advertisement Consent: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Environmental impact screening and scoping: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Outline Planning (18), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (17), Permission in Principle (16), Change of Use (13), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (9), Reg 3 Full Permission (7), Overhead Lines Exempt (6), Footpath Diversion (5), Enforcement (3), Hazardous Substances (2), Minerals and waste (2), Hedgerow Removal (2), Notification of Flexible Use (1), Technical Details Consent (1), Enlarge dwelling by additional storeys (1), Overhead Lines (1), House of Multiple Occupation (1), Modification of S106 Agreement (1), DCO Major Requirements PreApp (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	87	76	87.4%
Q4 2023	195	171	87.7%
Q1 2024	214	184	86.0%
Q2 2024	233	208	89.3%
Q3 2024	235	202	86.0%
Q4 2024	236	199	84.3%
Q1 2025	241	197	81.7%
Q2 2025	219	180	82.2%
Q3 2025	262	241	92.0%
Q4 2025	219	196	89.5%
Q1 2026	234	215	91.9%
Q2 2026	15	14	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 230 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 83.3% in Filton to 93.4% in Bitton And Oldland Common, a gap of 10.1 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Boyd Valley	289	251	38	86.9%
Frampton Cotterell	257	228	29	88.7%
Severn Vale	202	169	33	83.7%
Chipping Sodbury And Cotswold Edge	171	150	21	87.7%
Filton	168	140	28	83.3%
Frenchay And Downend	154	134	20	87.0%
Thornbury	127	115	12	90.6%
Pilning And Severn Beach	111	98	13	88.3%
Emersons Green	106	95	11	89.6%
Bitton And Oldland Common	106	99	7	93.4%
Charlton And Cribbs	103	94	9	91.3%
Winterbourne	95	80	15	84.2%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in South Gloucestershire?

In the last 12 months, 87.3% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in South Gloucestershire, based on 157 decided applications. Across all application types, 87.5% of 2,770 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in South Gloucestershire?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in South Gloucestershire in the last 12 months was 56 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in South Gloucestershire?

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 South Gloucestershire?

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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