Data-backed planning intelligence · 3,780,000+ decisions analysed across England

Most Common Planning Applications in Cheltenham

Not all planning applications are created equal. The gap between the highest and lowest approval project type in Cheltenham is 14.0% — that's the difference between near-certainty and a coin flip. What you build matters as much as where you build it.

14,267 real decisions·17 project types·Updated August 2026
99.2%
Safest: Conservatory
85.2%
Lowest: HMO
14.0%
Spread
17
Types ranked

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All 17 project types ranked

#TypeDecisionsApprovedRefusedRate
1Conservatory4934894
99.2%
2Rear Extension2,5132,46251
98.0%
3Wraparound Extension2852787
97.5%
4Side Extension1,3651,32243
96.8%
5Front Extension2292218
96.5%
6Extension (General)1,2641,21747
96.3%
7Basement34933613
96.3%
8Dormer58055822
96.2%
9Outbuilding57755423
96.0%
10Hip-to-Gable Conversion101974
96.0%
11Garage / Parking1,8931,81578
95.9%
12Change of Use (Residential)49847127
94.6%
13Loft Conversion41538530
92.8%
14Annex13612511
91.9%
15Flat Conversion28253
89.3%
16New Build37733047
87.5%
17HMO27234
85.2%
See how this applies to your postcode →

These are council averages. Your property is specific.

A conservatory application has a 99.2% approval rate. HMO? Just 85.2%.
Check your postcode to see what actually happens near your address.

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What the data tells us

1
The range is massive: 85.2% to 99.2%. Choosing the right project type — or framing your application correctly — can dramatically affect outcomes.
2
Visibility drives scrutiny. Project types that change the external appearance — dormers, loft conversions, hip-to-gable — face more resistance than those that don't. The more visible your proposal, the more carefully it needs designing.
3
These are council-wide averages. Your ward, your street and your immediate neighbours all shift the odds. The comparable decisions near your property are the best indicator of outcome.

Before you spend £5,000+ on architects and drawings

572 planning applications in Cheltenham have been refused since 2020. Many of those homeowners had already paid for drawings and application fees. A free, property-specific report shows you what gets approved — and what gets refused — near your property.

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More Cheltenham planning data

Nearby councils project type rankings

Methodology: Classifies 14,267 decisions in Cheltenham into residential project types using keyword matching against proposal descriptions (matching generate_site_data.py subtype rules). A single application may appear in multiple categories. Data from Cheltenham Council's public planning portal, January 2020 to August 2026. Full methodology →
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