Planning permission in Swindon

In the last 12 months, 94.0% of home project applications were approved in Swindon (166 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 53 days).

Across all application types, 90.8% of 3,365 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Swindon's public planning register. Data last updated: 12 April 2026.

3,697Total applications

3,365Decided

90.8%Approval rate (of decided)

3,055 Approved+310 Refused+134 Withdrawn+184 Pending+14 Outcome not determined=3,697 Total

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By Development Category

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

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	1,031	929	102	90.1%
Full planning applications	580	490	90	84.5%
Discharging planning conditions	479	479	0	no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	289	248	41	85.8%
Tree works in a conservation area	244	243	1	99.6%
Protected tree works (TPO)	144	138	6	95.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	121	105	16	86.8%
Advertisement Consent	120	115	5	95.8%
Listed Building Consent	94	83	11	88.3%
Larger extensions (householder prior approval)	86	75	11	87.2%
Prior approval (permitted development)	38	33	5	86.8%
Reserved matters (detail after outline approval)	29	29	0	no refusals recorded
Other*	110	88	22	mixed types

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

Reserved matters (detail after outline approval): no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (19), Agricultural Consent (19), Phone masts and telecoms (18), Demolition (11), Vendor Consent (10), Outline Planning (10), Prior App Offices to Residential (7), Enforcement (2), Permission in Principle (2), Confirmation conditions complied with (1), Not Applicable (1), Hedgerow Removal (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	101	94	93.1%
Q4 2023	237	205	86.5%
Q1 2024	258	237	91.9%
Q2 2024	350	318	90.9%
Q3 2024	297	264	88.9%
Q4 2024	264	236	89.4%
Q1 2025	291	258	88.7%
Q2 2025	277	261	94.2%
Q3 2025	279	254	91.0%
Q4 2025	291	263	90.4%
Q1 2026	274	257	93.8%
Q2 2026	38	37	97.4%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 295 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 87.0% in Rodbourne Cheney to 94.9% in St Margaret And South Marston, a gap of 7.9 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Blunsdon And Highworth	435	399	36	91.7%
St Margaret And South Marston	313	297	16	94.9%
Ridgeway	303	283	20	93.4%
Central	266	240	26	90.2%
Old Town	218	201	17	92.2%
Wroughton And Wichelstowe	213	195	18	91.5%
Chiseldon And Lawn	201	182	19	90.5%
Eastcott	188	165	23	87.8%
Rodbourne Cheney	161	140	21	87.0%
St Andrews	147	130	17	88.4%
Gorse Hill & Pinehurst	143	125	18	87.4%
Covingham And Dorcan	105	99	6	94.3%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Swindon?

In the last 12 months, 94.0% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Swindon, based on 166 decided applications. Across all application types, 90.8% of 3,365 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Swindon?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Swindon in the last 12 months was 53 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Swindon?

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 Swindon?

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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