Planning appeal news and data.
Articles built using Appeal Scout's decision data - council-by-council trends, appeal statistics, and what they mean for homeowners considering an appeal.
Why a Written Appeal Suits Most Homeowners
Almost all planning appeals are decided on paper. Here is why that is good news if you want a simple, low-stress route.
Read the article →Planning Appeals Are Getting Faster
The Planning Inspectorate is deciding more appeals within 20 weeks. Here is why that is good news for homeowners.
Read the article →Most Householder Appeals Are Decided in About 12 Weeks
Householder appeals are among the quickest types of planning appeal. Here is how long a decision usually takes.
Read the article →Householder Planning Appeals Succeed More Often Than Most
Householder appeals do better than the average planning appeal. Here is what the latest Planning Inspectorate figures mean if your application was refused.
Read the article →Planning Appeal Success Rates by Procedure Type: 2021 to 2026
Five years of s78 planning appeal data shows success rates rising since early 2025, and reveals a big gap between Written Representations, Hearings and Inquiries.
Read the article →Side Extension Appeal Allowed in Sevenoaks After a Previous Refusal on Appeal
A Sevenoaks side extension appeal, allowed on a second attempt after an earlier, larger version of the same scheme was dismissed.
Read the article →First-Floor Side Extension Refusal Overturned on Appeal in Barnet
A case study on a Barnet first-floor side extension refusal overturned on appeal, where the council's strong subjective language didn't hold up against the Inspector's objective comparison.
Read the article →Front Roof Extension Refusal Overturned on Appeal in Hounslow
A case study on a Hounslow front dormer refusal overturned on appeal, despite the council's own guidance generally opposing them — and what it means for similar cases.
Read the article →Green Belt Loft Conversion Appeal Allowed in Brentwood Despite Design Guide Conflict
A Brentwood loft conversion appeal, allowed even though the Inspector agreed the rear dormer broke the local design guide.
Read the article →Hounslow Refused This Extension for Being Out of Proportion. The Inspector Disagreed.
A case study on a Hounslow householder refusal overturned on appeal — where the council's assessment fell short, and what it means for similar cases.
Read the article →Rear Extension Refusal Overturned on Appeal in Havering
A case study on a Havering rear extension refusal overturned on appeal, where a considered look at overshadowing and outlook outweighed a generic depth guideline conflict.
Read the article →Outbuilding Extension Refusal Overturned on Appeal in Hillingdon
A case study on a Hillingdon outbuilding extension refusal overturned on appeal, where the outbuilding's absolute size was weighed against a huge plot rather than the plot itself.
Read the article →Loft Extension Refusal Overturned on Appeal in Wandsworth
A case study on a Wandsworth loft extension refusal overturned on appeal, where the established character of neighbouring roof extensions outweighed the council's design guidance.
Read the article →Planning Appeal Terms Explained: A Plain-English Glossary
A plain-English glossary of the terms you'll come across in a householder planning appeal — from HAS and written representations to Green Belt and enforcement notices.
Read the article →Side and Rear Extension Refusal Overturned on Appeal in Richmond
A case study on a Richmond side and rear extension refusal overturned on appeal - not because the character harm was wrong, but because a fallback position outweighed it.
Read the article →Planning Application Fees Are Going Up — Appeals Still Aren't
A new national default fee schedule for planning applications in England takes effect from 8 December 2026, with householder fees up around 8%. Appealing a refusal remains free of any Planning Inspectorate charge.
Read the article →10 Councils With the Highest Planning Appeal Success Rates
Which councils in England overturn the most refused householder planning applications on appeal, based on Planning Inspectorate decisions from the past 12 months.
Read the article →The Councils Hardest to Win a Planning Appeal Against
Which councils in England have their householder refusals overturned least often on appeal, based on Planning Inspectorate decisions from the past 12 months.
Read the article →Two-Storey Rear Extension Refusal Overturned on Appeal in Barnet
A case study on a Barnet two-storey rear extension refusal overturned on appeal, where existing local precedent and boundary screening weren't reflected in the council's reasoning.
Read the article →Householder Appeals Just Got a 250-Word Limit — What It Means for Your Case
Since 1 April 2026, householder planning appeals no longer use a full statement of case — appellants now get 250 words. Here's what changed, and why it should mean cheaper, faster appeals.
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