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Cheshire East planning statistics

Householder applications decided in the year to June 2026, compared with the rest of England.

How long does planning permission take in Cheshire East?

Cheshire East decided 44.4% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Cheshire East is highlighted on the map. See on the map

Within 8 weeks, no extension

44.4%

257th of 297

18.3 points slower than England

Granted

91.1%

167th of 297

0.6 points higher than England

Extension of time

51.9%

262nd of 297

19.6 points higher than England

Decisions (12 months)

1,293

Cheshire East decided 1,293 householder applications in the year to June 2026, granting 91.1%.

44.4% were decided within 8 weeks with no extension, against 62.7% across England (257th of 297 for speed).

A further 51.9% were decided under an extension of time agreed with the applicant.

That is up from 33.4% a year earlier.

Of 47 householder appeals decided in the same period, 36.2% were allowed.

How quickly decisions are made

Cheshire East against England, share of householder decisions each quarter

  • Within 8 weeks, no extension
  • Extension of time
  • England, within 8 weeks
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterWithin 8 weeks, no extensionExtension of timeEngland, within 8 weeks
2009 Q291.6%0.0%91.7%
2009 Q385.4%0.0%91.4%
2009 Q490.0%0.0%91.0%
2010 Q196.0%0.0%88.8%
2010 Q293.2%0.0%89.8%
2010 Q387.9%0.0%88.4%
2010 Q477.7%0.0%87.7%
2011 Q182.3%0.0%86.4%
2011 Q225.9%0.0%85.9%
2011 Q350.1%0.0%84.9%
2011 Q458.5%0.0%84.9%
2012 Q173.7%0.0%83.7%
2012 Q294.9%0.0%84.2%
2012 Q393.5%0.0%82.9%
2012 Q490.8%0.0%85.2%
2013 Q191.1%0.0%85.7%
2013 Q286.9%0.0%86.3%
2013 Q387.3%0.0%85.3%
2013 Q483.2%0.0%86.3%
2014 Q183.6%0.0%85.4%
2014 Q277.4%0.0%84.9%
2014 Q377.4%0.0%82.5%
2014 Q477.2%2.3%82.1%
2015 Q165.5%10.4%80.4%
2015 Q265.9%9.4%80.6%
2015 Q367.0%10.2%79.2%
2015 Q476.6%9.9%80.0%
2016 Q167.6%10.5%78.3%
2016 Q256.6%13.7%79.8%
2016 Q369.6%12.9%77.7%
2016 Q481.2%14.4%78.0%
2017 Q176.7%17.4%77.3%
2017 Q277.3%20.5%78.5%
2017 Q372.3%21.8%76.1%
2017 Q467.5%29.1%77.1%
2018 Q166.6%26.0%73.7%
2018 Q271.7%22.0%74.0%
2018 Q371.4%23.7%72.7%
2018 Q476.1%22.1%72.7%
2019 Q167.0%29.8%69.9%
2019 Q272.1%24.9%72.1%
2019 Q362.6%32.4%69.6%
2019 Q465.5%29.9%71.5%
2020 Q151.1%43.4%68.4%
2020 Q237.6%56.6%63.9%
2020 Q340.1%53.3%63.8%
2020 Q444.4%48.9%65.3%
2021 Q113.9%75.3%59.4%
2021 Q23.8%87.7%58.4%
2021 Q31.1%87.1%53.1%
2021 Q40.8%90.2%53.0%
2022 Q10.7%79.8%51.6%
2022 Q20.4%93.4%56.0%
2022 Q32.1%90.1%53.3%
2022 Q48.8%81.2%54.1%
2023 Q123.1%69.6%53.5%
2023 Q238.5%55.6%58.5%
2023 Q332.0%56.6%59.0%
2023 Q445.6%48.4%59.8%
2024 Q148.4%47.8%58.8%
2024 Q247.3%46.4%64.4%
2024 Q344.1%54.0%64.2%
2024 Q443.6%51.9%65.6%
2025 Q119.6%73.8%62.1%
2025 Q227.5%67.5%65.0%
2025 Q344.8%51.0%62.5%
2025 Q442.3%53.6%64.7%
2026 Q143.3%54.6%60.6%
2026 Q247.3%48.3%62.7%

Share of applications granted

Cheshire East against England

  • Cheshire East
  • England
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
QuarterCheshire EastEngland
2009 Q290.7%86.8%
2009 Q390.7%87.4%
2009 Q486.2%86.9%
2010 Q191.9%87.0%
2010 Q287.4%88.0%
2010 Q389.6%87.7%
2010 Q491.5%87.5%
2011 Q190.9%87.9%
2011 Q294.9%88.5%
2011 Q391.9%88.3%
2011 Q493.9%88.3%
2012 Q191.3%88.2%
2012 Q291.7%89.2%
2012 Q389.4%89.0%
2012 Q488.9%88.9%
2013 Q193.4%89.8%
2013 Q293.8%90.6%
2013 Q393.4%90.3%
2013 Q492.2%89.6%
2014 Q191.6%89.8%
2014 Q294.8%90.5%
2014 Q393.5%90.0%
2014 Q493.0%89.2%
2015 Q196.9%89.3%
2015 Q294.6%90.2%
2015 Q395.1%90.0%
2015 Q495.4%89.2%
2016 Q194.1%90.0%
2016 Q295.8%90.3%
2016 Q394.8%90.2%
2016 Q493.1%89.7%
2017 Q192.8%89.9%
2017 Q293.6%90.5%
2017 Q393.6%90.0%
2017 Q492.5%90.1%
2018 Q192.4%90.5%
2018 Q292.1%91.0%
2018 Q392.8%91.2%
2018 Q492.3%90.5%
2019 Q190.9%90.3%
2019 Q292.2%91.0%
2019 Q392.4%90.6%
2019 Q489.1%89.8%
2020 Q191.1%89.9%
2020 Q293.7%90.2%
2020 Q395.0%90.6%
2020 Q492.9%90.3%
2021 Q193.3%90.9%
2021 Q295.4%91.2%
2021 Q393.1%91.0%
2021 Q494.1%90.1%
2022 Q191.6%90.0%
2022 Q292.5%90.4%
2022 Q394.3%89.8%
2022 Q495.7%89.4%
2023 Q190.0%89.3%
2023 Q289.8%89.2%
2023 Q385.9%88.6%
2023 Q490.4%88.2%
2024 Q190.1%88.2%
2024 Q290.1%89.1%
2024 Q385.6%89.4%
2024 Q489.4%88.6%
2025 Q190.2%89.3%
2025 Q290.4%90.4%
2025 Q389.9%90.1%
2025 Q490.4%90.1%
2026 Q193.5%90.6%
2026 Q291.0%91.0%

How long decisions took

Householder decisions over the last 12 months

  • Within 8 weeks44.4%
  • 8 to 13 weeks1.3%
  • 13 to 26 weeks1.1%
  • Over 26 weeks1.3%
  • Extension of time agreed51.9%
Source: MHCLG PS2, OGL v3. Chart: buildwiz.uk
Show data
Time takenDecisions
Within 8 weeks574
8 to 13 weeks17
13 to 26 weeks14
Over 26 weeks17
Extension of time agreed671

Appeals

Decided
47
Allowed
36.2%
Median wait
11 weeks

Householder appeals to the Planning Inspectorate decided in the same 12 months. England: 34.4% allowed.

Refusals overturned at appeal

10.2% of refusals were later overturned at appeal (July 2021 to June 2026): 73 appeals allowed against 718 refusals.

91st highest of 299 planning authorities. England: 8.9% (July 2021 to June 2026).

Householder refusals from MHCLG table PS2; appeals allowed from the Planning Inspectorate. Approximate: appeals decided in the period, which can relate to earlier refusals.

Larger home extensions (prior approval)

Single-storey rear extensions deeper than 4 metres on a detached house (3 metres otherwise), up to 8 metres (6 metres), can use prior approval instead of a planning application, except in conservation areas, National Landscapes and other protected areas.

Of 79 larger extension notifications between July 2025 and June 2026, 59 needed no approval, 10 were approved and 10 were refused.

Where Cheshire East had to decide, it refused 10 of 20 (50.0%), against 56.1% across England (2,210 of 3,939 decided).

Figures as first published (provisional).

MHCLG live table PDR 1.

Enforcement

16 planning enforcement notices issued in the year to June 2026.

0.08 per 1,000 homes, against 0.17 across England. 110th lowest of 294 planning authorities.

Covers all types of development, not only extensions.

MHCLG table P130; homes from the VOA Council Tax stock of properties.

Protected areas

75 conservation areas: Acton, Alderley Edge, Alsager, Arley, Aston by Budworth Parish, Astbury, Aston, Audlem, Audlem – Woore Road, Barracks Square, Barthomley, Bollin Hill, Bollington and 63 more.

Cheshire East has not published its Article 4 directions to the national planning data service, so the count may be incomplete.

Both can remove permitted development rights, so check with the council before relying on them. Permitted development rules

To check one postcode for a conservation area, listed buildings nearby, flood zone and radon, use the address check.

planning.data.gov.uk.

Builders

1,545 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 8.0 per 1,000 homes, about 0.8 householder decisions per firm a year.

66th lowest of 294 planning authorities. England median: 10.1 per 1,000 homes and 0.5 decisions per firm.

Counts VAT or PAYE registered firms only, rounded to 5 by ONS; self-employed builders below the VAT threshold aren't included.

Finding a builder

ONS UK Business Counts; homes from the VOA Council Tax stock of properties; decisions from MHCLG table PS2.

Compared with neighbouring councils

Decisions and approvals in the year to June 2026; overturns over each council's appeal window; builders per 1,000 homes in 2026.

Decided within 8 weeks, no extension

Granted

Refusals overturned at appeal

Registered building firms per 1,000 homes

Questions about planning in Cheshire East

How long does planning permission take in Cheshire East?

Cheshire East decided 44.4% of householder applications within 8 weeks without an extension in the year to June 2026, against 62.7% across England.

Is my house in a conservation area in Cheshire East?

75 conservation areas: Acton, Alderley Edge, Alsager, Arley, Aston by Budworth Parish, Astbury, Aston, Audlem, Audlem – Woore Road, Barracks Square, Barthomley, Bollin Hill, Bollington and 63 more. Most councils publish a conservation area map showing whether a street is inside one.

How many builders are there in Cheshire East?

1,545 registered building and trade firms in 2026, 8.0 per 1,000 homes, about 0.8 householder decisions per firm a year. Counts VAT or PAYE registered firms only, rounded to 5 by ONS; self-employed builders below the VAT threshold aren't included.

Do I need planning permission for an extension in Cheshire East?

Many extensions can be built under permitted development without an application, but conservation areas and Article 4 directions can remove those rights, so check whether your address is in a conservation area or covered by an Article 4 direction before relying on them. Do you need planning permission?

Property prices and energy performance in Cheshire East

Homes sold July 2023 to June 2026, matched to the floor area and energy rating on their Energy Performance Certificate.

Median price per m²

£3,175

19,395 sales

21% above North West

Homes sold rated EPC A to C

52.1%

Median energy score 69

4.2 points above North West

Value added by extending, per m²

£2,350

26.0% on the sale price

74% above North West

Energy upgrade, no extension

+6.5%

Sale-price uplift when the energy score rose 5+ points

0.6 points above North West

The median home sold in Cheshire East was £295,000 for 91 m² of floor space. Price per m² is up 50% since 2015 (£2,151 to £3,216 per m², 2025). Across all 139,959 homes with a certificate, 49.7% are rated A to C on their latest one.

1,409 houses here were extended between two sales (second sale 2016 to 2026), adding a median 32 m². They sold for a median 26.0% more than similar unextended houses, £2,350 for each m² added. Will an extension pay for itself here?

Medians from HM Land Registry sale prices and MHCLG Energy Performance Certificates; groups under 30 sales or 50 extended houses are not shown. These describe past sales across many homes, not a valuation of any one. How these are worked out

Next steps for your extension

Compare every council · How we calculate these figures

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