Introduction

Finding out that you have been refused planning permission is frustrating, but this doesn't need to be the end of your plans. If you feel that the Council's decision is unfair, you can appeal the decision to an independent Planning Inspector.

Winning a planning appeal requires careful preparation, thorough research, and strategic thinking. By understanding the local planning authority's decision, delving deep into planning policies and seeking expert advice, you can prepare a strong case which increases your chances of success.

At Cedar Planning, we have a proven track record of winning planning appeals and can provide you with the expertise and support you need to achieve a positive outcome. We handle the whole process for you, from assessing your chances of success right to receiving the outcome.

In this blog post, we will share our top tips on how to win a planning appeal.

Tip 1: Understand the Local Planning Authority's Decision

Before appealing the Councils decision, it is important to thoroughly understand the local planning authority's decision and the reasons behind it. The starting point for this is the Decision Notice, which sets out why planning permission has been refused. Most planning applications are also accompanied by an Officer's Report, or Committee Report for bigger and more controversial schemes. These documents will provide more detail and valuable insight into the Council's thoughts on your proposal.

Initially, we recommending reviewing these documents to see if a slight amendment to your plans could win over the Council. If you wish to proceed with a planning appeal, the reasons provided in the Decision Notice and Officer's Report/Committee Report set the basis for the appeal. It is important that you review these thoroughly to understand the Council's position, so you can set about arguing why they are wrong.

Tip 2: Review other appeal decisions

Once you have identified the main reasons for the planning refusal (Tip 1 above), we recommend reviewing other appeal decisions which will help your case.

Highlighting other similar appeal decisions can be very helpful for your case. For example, if your Local Planning Authority has refused your planning application as it is outside of a settlement boundary or would result in the loss of employment land, but a Planning Inspector found these to be irrelevant in similar cases, then this can help your cases. At Cedar Planning we regularly keep up to date with important appeal decisions across the country, and include relevant research for alternative cases in our appeal service.

Tip 3. Present a Compelling Statement of Case

For most planning appeals, your Statement of Case is your only opportunity to sell the benefits of your proposal to the Planning Inspector. With this in mind, when submitting your planning appeal, it is important to present a compelling Statement of Case that clearly outlines your arguments and addresses the reasons for refusal. This document should be well-structured, concise, and supported by appropriate evidence.

The Statement of Case should be focused, and address the relevant planning policies and considerations and provide a counter to the Council's reasons for refusal. This could include case studies, other schemes which set a precedent or additional technical studies.

Finally, ensure that your statement of case is well-organised and easy to navigate. Use clear headings and subheadings to guide the reader through your arguments and evidence. Include references to relevant planning policies, legislation, and guidelines to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the planning process. You should always stick to the planning merits of the case, even if your frustration tells you otherwise.

By presenting a compelling statement of case that addresses the reasons for refusal and provides strong evidence to support your arguments, you increase your chances of success in the planning appeal process.

Tip 4: Seek Expert Advice

At Cedar Planning we know how to win a planning appeal. Our expert knowledge and understanding of planning policies allows us to provide valuable insights to clients, helping them navigate the complex planning appeal process. We use this knowledge to best argue your case at appeal.

We have a high success rate for planning appeals, and offer a reliable service with fast turnaround times. Read our dedicated Planning Appeal Service page for more information.

We aim to provide you with a draft copy of our Appeal Statement of Case within 2 weeks of instruction.

To receive a no-obligation quote for our Planning Appeal services simply fill out the form below and we will be in touch.

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