How many planning applications has Cheltenham Borough Council received?

Cheltenham Borough Council received 1,221 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 94%.

How long does Cheltenham Borough Council take to decide planning applications?

Cheltenham Borough Council takes an average of 34 days to decide planning applications. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for householder and minor applications, and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate for Cheltenham Borough Council?

Cheltenham Borough Council approves 94% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in Cheltenham Borough Council?

To object to a Cheltenham Borough Council planning application, you must submit your representation to Cheltenham Borough Council during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from the date the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows you the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the Cheltenham Borough Council planning portal where objections can be submitted.

Can I appeal a Cheltenham Borough Council planning decision?

Yes. If Cheltenham Borough Council refuses your planning application, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 221 appeals were lodged against Cheltenham Borough Council decisions in the last 24 months, with a 33% success rate.

Cheltenham Borough Council Planning Applications

Q: How do I search Cheltenham Borough Council planning applications?

You can search Cheltenham Borough Council planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the Cheltenham Borough Council area to see all nearby applications, filter by type, and track decisions in real time.

Search and explore Cheltenham Borough Council planning applications. Planning Signal is your free alternative to the Cheltenham Borough Council planning portal — search all recent applications, track decisions, and get alerts on new developments in the area.

Region: South West

About Cheltenham Borough Council

Cheltenham Borough Council serves as the local authority for Cheltenham, a non-metropolitan district in Gloucestershire, England, recognized for its borough status. The council operates from the Municipal Offices located on the Promenade, making it a key resource for those researching planning applications and local governance in the area.

Governance

Leader: Rowena Hay (Liberal Democrats), since 7 December 2020

Chair: David Willingham (Liberal Democrat), since 12 May 2025

Chief Executive: Gareth Edmundson, since 2019

Last election: 2 May 2024

Political composition: Liberal Democrat (36), Green (3), People Against Bureaucracy (1)

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to Cheltenham Borough Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Cheltenham Borough Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in Cheltenham Borough Council mention key planning constraints like heritage, flood risk, and environmental concerns
Council Boundary Map - Interactive map showing the council boundary and application locations
Full Details - View complete application details, dates and decision status

Council Insights

Property Prices

Average property sale price: £434,214 (based on 50 recent transactions from HM Land Registry).

Area Information

Admin district: Cheltenham
Parliamentary constituency: Cheltenham
LSOA: Cheltenham 004C

Crime Statistics

1 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Crime Breakdown

violent-crime: 1

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in Cheltenham Borough Council.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Cheltenham Borough Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in Cheltenham Borough Council

1041 towns and villages. Click any town to search for planning applications nearby.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the Cheltenham Borough Council area.

Monitoring Stations

9 flood monitoring stations near Cheltenham Borough Council.

Saintbridge (River Twyver)
Zoons Court Flood Storage (Horsbere Brook)
Witcombe (Horsbere Brook)
Armscroft Place (Wotton Brook)
Deerhurst (River Severn)
Moorend Road (Lilley Brook)
Abbeymead Avenue (River Twyver)
Merestones Road (Hatherley Brook)
Charlton Kings (River Chelt)

A brief summary of Cheltenham Borough Council

The average property sale price in the Cheltenham Borough Council area is £434,214, based on 50 recent transactions.

Neighbourhood safety in the Cheltenham Borough Council area is generally good, with 1 crimes reported in the most recent period.

Conservation Areas

There are 7 designated conservation areas within the Cheltenham Borough Council area. Planning applications within or near these areas are subject to additional scrutiny to preserve architectural and historic character. Permitted development rights may be restricted.

Conservation areas include: Bafford, The Poets, Prestbury, Cudnall Street, Swindon Village, St Mary's, Central.

The council area encompasses 1041 towns and villages, including Cheltenham, Chipping Sodbury, Cirencester, Fairford, Gloucester and Kingswood. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search Cheltenham Borough Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for Cheltenham Borough Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the Cheltenham Borough Council area. Unlike the official Cheltenham Borough Council planning portal, Planning Signal lets you save searches, watch individual applications, and receive email alerts when decisions are made or new applications are submitted nearby.

Whether you're a resident checking Cheltenham Borough Council planning applications near your home, a homeowner tracking your own application, or a property professional monitoring the local market, Planning Signal gives you the tools to stay informed about planning and development across Cheltenham Borough Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 1,221 planning applications Cheltenham Borough Council received. Of these, 94% were approved, with an average decision time of 34 days.

This is notably above the national average of approximately 87%, suggesting a relatively permissive planning environment. Applicants in Cheltenham Borough Council may find that well-prepared applications have a strong chance of success.

The average decision time of 34 days is within the government's 8-week statutory target for minor applications, indicating an efficient planning department.

The most common application types in Cheltenham Borough Council were listed building and heritage (317), full planning applications (184), discharge of conditions (174). The high proportion of heritage applications reflects the historic character of the area and the presence of listed buildings or conservation areas nearby.

In terms of development scale, 7 large-scale (major) developments, 9 medium-scale applications, 940 smaller schemes were submitted. The high volume of major applications indicates significant development pressure in the area, which may interest property developers and investors.

221 planning appeals were lodged against Cheltenham Borough Council decisions, of which 67 were allowed and 137 were dismissed (33% success rate).

Application Outcomes

Approved: 661 applications
Refused: 14 applications
Withdrawn: 31 applications
Awaiting decision: 515 applications

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.