What type of planning application is most likely to be approved in Midlothian?

Conservatory at 100.0% based on 22 decisions.

What is hardest to get planning permission for in Midlothian?

New Build at 80.0% based on 20 decisions.

How do approval rates vary by project type in Midlothian?

From 100.0% (Conservatory) to 80.0% (New Build). What you build matters as much as where you build it.

Most Common Planning Applications in Midlothian

Not all planning applications are created equal. The gap between the highest and lowest approval project type in Midlothian is 20.0% — that's the difference between near-certainty and a coin flip. What you build matters as much as where you build it.

951 real decisions·6 project types·Updated March 2026

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All 6 project types ranked

#	Type	Decisions	Approved	Refused	Rate
1	Conservatory	22	22	0	100.0%
2	Outbuilding	32	31	1	96.9%
3	Extension (General)	253	242	11	95.7%
4	Garage / Parking	72	68	4	94.4%
5	Change of Use (Residential)	44	38	6	86.4%
6	New Build	20	16	4	80.0%

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These are council averages. Your property is specific.

A conservatory application has a 100.0% approval rate. New Build? Just 80.0%.
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What the data tells us

The range is massive: 80.0% to 100.0%. Choosing the right project type — or framing your application correctly — can dramatically affect outcomes.

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.

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

41 planning applications in Midlothian have been refused since 2020. Many of those homeowners had already paid for drawings and application fees. A £79 report shows you what gets approved — and what gets refused — near your property.

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More Midlothian planning data

Methodology: Classifies 951 decisions in Midlothian 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 Midlothian Council's public planning portal, January 2020 to present. Full methodology →