Planning permission in Stockport

In the last 12 months, 97.9% of home project applications were approved in Stockport (517 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about seven weeks (median 49 days).

Across all application types, 94.5% of 7,873 applications decided since February 2023 were approved. Based on Stockport's public planning register. Data last updated: 17 May 2026.

9,228Total applications
7,873Decided
94.5%Approval rate (of decided)
7,439 Approved+434 Refused+190 Withdrawn+1,136 Pending+29 Outcome not determined=9,228 Total
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Decision Level
6,216Delegated
57Committee
By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder) 2,511 2,414 97
96.1%
Phone masts and telecoms 1,406 1,324 82
94.2%
Discharging planning conditions 993 976 17
98.3%
Protected tree works (TPO) 756 731 25
96.7%
Full planning applications 538 484 54
90.0%
Tree works in a conservation area 424 412 12
97.2%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 360 312 48
86.7%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 250 213 37
85.2%
Advertisement Consent 140 129 11
92.1%
Changing a planning condition (S73) 128 116 12
90.6%
Prior approval (permitted development) 97 89 8
91.8%
Cmrcial, Busnss and Servce to Dwllinghse 44 33 11
75.0%
Listed Building Consent 44 44 0 no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 32 26 6
81.2%
Adjoining Authority 24 18 6
75.0%
Other* 126 118 8 mixed types

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

* Other combines smaller categories: G P Development - Extensions (18), GPD - Solar Panels - Non-domestic (17), Demolition of Buildings (13), Environmental impact screening and scoping (11), Agricultural Prior Approval (10), Discharge of Condits Confirmation (7), Permission in Principle (6), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (5), Public Services infrastructure Develpmnt (5), Modification of Obligation (5), Enlarge Dwllghse - Construct Add Storeys (4), Telecom Consultation (4), Development Under Local or Private Acts (4), Agricultural to C3 (3), A1 Betting Office, Paydy Ln to Mixed Use (2), Outline Planning (2), Demolition in a Conservation Area (2), RAAC Temp Accomodation (2), Not Available (1), A1, A2, Betting Office, Payday Ln to C3 (1), Scoping Opinion (EIA) (1), LDC Proposed - LISTED BUILDING USE ONLY (1), Temp Recreational Campsite (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 314 294
93.6%
Q4 2023 622 583
93.7%
Q1 2024 703 646
91.9%
Q2 2024 736 673
91.4%
Q3 2024 901 843
93.6%
Q4 2024 899 869
96.7%
Q1 2025 663 634
95.6%
Q2 2025 731 697
95.3%
Q3 2025 658 634
96.4%
Q4 2025 729 704
96.6%
Q1 2026 462 431
93.3%
Q2 2026 34 30
88.2%
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 945 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 90.6% in Heatons North (Here) to 98.8% in Offerton (Step), a gap of 8.2 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Heatons North (Here) 659 597 62
90.6%
Heald Green (Chea) 592 562 30
94.9%
Brmhll Sth And Woodford (Bram) 555 532 23
95.9%
Cheadle West & Gatley (Chea) 554 511 43
92.2%
Marple North (Marp) 491 472 19
96.1%
Cheadle Hulme South (Bram) 467 446 21
95.5%
Heatons South (Here) 462 429 33
92.9%
Bramhall North (Bram) 450 431 19
95.8%
Davenport & Cale Green (Stck) 383 347 36
90.6%
Norbury And Woodsmoor (Step) 376 366 10
97.3%
Brinnington & Stockport Central (Stck) 363 342 21
94.2%
Offerton (Step) 341 337 4
98.8%
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Stockport?
In the last 12 months, 97.9% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Stockport, based on 517 decided applications. Across all application types, 94.5% of 7,873 applications decided since February 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Stockport?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Stockport in the last 12 months was 49 days (about seven weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Stockport?
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 Stockport?
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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